Little Miss Personality

Hi Everyone:

Today I turn 40 in China, tomorrow I turn 40 in the U.S. - fabulous doing it twice! The shirt I am sporting in the picture was my $2.00 gift to myself from a teeny little shop on the island. I also splurged $5.00 and bought a really cool glass necklace. Melanie, it's 2:30AM and I know you are awake reading my blog. This one is dedicated to you! :) For anyone who has ever adopted a child, you know the first 72 hours is just the "checking you out" period. Your new child gives you the "stink eye" whenever possible and touching is just not allowed. But after the 72 hours are up, watch out! Like magic, they turn into a real kid! Today was Abbie's coming out. Since breakfast, she has had dry diapers and tinkles on the potty immediately upon setting her down. She is dancing, talking in Teochew (her native dialect) and is really, really active. She has been my helper today and assisted me with washing her bottles and collecting lint, fuzz and crumbs off the floor (mostly from the previous occupants) and throws them in the garbage can. I promptly clap my hands and yell "joy xia", which means thank you in her dialect and she just beams with pride. We went to a beautiful traditional tea house and bought some jasmine tea buds and a beautiful porcelain tea cup. One of the xiaojie's (worker girls) started playing a traditional Chinese string instrument, similar to a zither. Abbie was mesmorized! Abbie also LOVES the paperbag from the tea house and carries it with her everywhere! She loves to put things in it including cracker crumbs and drops of milk. At 2:00PM, we went to the local police station to finish the paperwork for Abbie's passport. We are now done with all the provincial paperwork and we received her official adoption certificate today. In the eyes of China, God and our Family, she is ours forever! Six more CHI families arrive tonight, so we will have a larger group soon. Now the fun starts! Tomorrow, we will get Abbie's medical examination. On Sunday, we will go to the Six Banyan Temple, Pearl and Porcelain markets and a walking mall. Shopping - "yaboo!!" :) Our guide Connie has taken a liking to me because we both love to shop! We are about to go swim with the Thompson's. Abbie and I are going to sit it out because water is still kind of scary to her. She REFUSES to sit in the bathtub. Guess she will be a shower girl! Tonight, we are going out for either Thai or Cantonese food with the Thompsons. Tomorrow, Ericka was invited to go to the local Starbucks for coffee and schoolwork time with Andrew, who is in the same grade as her. They both have a ton of homework and can't quite seem to get started on it with all the excitement. Not sure Ericka is ready for a coffee, but cocoa should be good! Here are some pictures to tide you over...more to come! Our love to you all! Stewart Family, have a safe flight to China tomorrow! We love you and can't wait to see you on the 21st! Give Sylvan a huge hug for us! Melanie, I can't wait to read your blog later and follow your journey to Lili.