One of the toughest nights for Mama and Baba

Tonight there are simply not too many photos to post. We were going to head out for a shopping stroll and I had the bijorn all ready to load Rachel in and Daddy said "no". She has not gone to him in over two days now and even cries when he or ANYONE even looks at her. To say that she has bonded w/ Mama is an understatement. I can't even take a pee without her going w/ me or screaming and then she sees the tub and cries more - no like baths! So, I allowed Tim to try to comfort her and we had both hoped that she would calm down in a short time and wear down from her crying. Instead - she pushed him in his arms away with her legs and swat at him all while screaming bloody murder. I was okay until she saw me pass and started saying Mama Mama Mamamamamama.................................... I lost it. I went into the bathroom and broke down. I wanted so bad to run in and take her in my arms and kiss all of her tears off of her sweets cheeks and from the corners of those exotic eyes - but I stayed strong and didn't. I asked him to change her when she calmed down some and give her her bottle for dinner and rock her in the bed. She stopped crying. Mom had not. I decided to take a hot bath and take a walk and do some retail therapy. When I returned I heard Sade in the background that Baba had put on from is Media player and she was asleep in his arms. Whew!! What a rough night. If you look close you can even see fresh spit up from bottle on his right shoulder :( Needless to say - we never went out and ate instant soup and called it a day. As Scarlet says: Tomorrow is another day. We've decided to allow Baba to awaken and feed her and take her to meet me at Tai Chi practice in the parks every morning until we leave for bonding time. I hope this will do the trick. He will just have to be very prepared and speedy :)

Goodmorning and Goodnight,

Mom :( GZ time = 9:35 pm

FRIDAY EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS

Catherine (in the red t-shirt) and Janet (our guide not in pic) are doing (attempting) Tai Chi lessons in a nearby park very early in the morning. Our instructor in the man in the front in the gray slacks.

Mom's in the next photos in the gray gaucho's - don't look too close. The three of us are going to actually take these lessons every morning til we fly home. Think I'll learn anything. One of our instructors today is very famous for Tai Chi.

Taking a break and photo moment from blogging

This is what I have for my backdrop most of the times I blog either at night or like now during the day. These are priceless moments and I'm willing to share them w/ you.

Mom

GZ time = 3:45 pm

Mama and Baba are laughing in this photo because of course as has been most of our trip - princess is fussy - we need some ac & a nap!!

This is our guide Janet who is pushing our stroller for Baba. I just love her - she is very very kind and takes us all over GZ. We're taking Tai Chi together every morning til we leave - she is experience of course but willing to let us tag along like lil ducklings.
Temple where we are later blessed - very famous and for good fortune & blessings for family.

In this particular picture what you can't see is Mama trying very hard to make a laugh and snort appear as if I'm crying when I'm trying oh so very hard to bust out because as the priest was blessing Rachel individually - she let one rip - and it wasn't a cry :O. I could have died!

Most precious and valuable thing in this jade market by far!!

Is that a smile? .............................rare sighting
Oh and now out comes the tongue - we're really really happy when we give Mom & Baba a tongue sighting :) But let's be serious people - she's is my daughter & in a Jade and fine jewelry market - DUH!
All that jewelry shopping and tongue-sticking outing can wear a princess down. It's nappie time.

SO FAR SO GOOD......shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Well,

It's 6:30 am here in GZ and Janet and I are out for some early morning Tai Chi. Little bit has slept very peacefully........................maybe today will be a good day? Darn acrylics are too loud on this keyboard :). Dad's beard may come off today if Rachel doesn't still like his kisses. Mom likes his beard :( Well, see whanna take any bets? By the way Mom and Dad Burnett - the proper saying for Grandmother and Grandfather of the Father (Tim) is: Ye Ye and Nai Nai. Pronounced Yeah Yeah for Ken and Nai Nai as in night night w/o the "t". Start practicing.

bye for now,

Mom GZ time = 6:28 am

THURSDAY - DADDY DAY & POLICE STATION DAY

Good morning to all overseas,

Another long day. We awoke early and had our breakfast all knowing (well, not Rachel) that this morning was to be Daddy day. Typical daily routine: At end of night after putting Rachel to bed I do dishes, restock diaper bag w/ supplies for next day, set out mine & Rachel's outfit, write in my journal to Rachel, and of course write in this blog to keep you all up to date. In morning I get up before children and put on my face paint (not sure why due to it being sweat all off by noon), wake Baba and hope he's out of shower before princess awakes. Last night we adjusted the Bijorn to fit Baba and gave him a few pointers. This morning princess awoke before Daddy - so we drank large bottle of milk (big eater) before breakfast. Then it was out the door for breakfast. Rachel was whiny today too :( After breakfast we very speedily loaded our princess into Bijorn while she screamed bloody murder through restaurant. As the two of them marched out the hotel lobby and walked down the sidewalk - what I thought I would feel was relief - but I almost teared up watching the two loves of my life leave me. I turned to walk back to the elevators and the front desk people were smiling at me.

Princess and Baba stayed gone for over 2 hours - must not be too bad. No rest tho for Mama - let friend/another adoptee borrow email to post her and her baby's (Celena) picture to family and friends. Cynthia has had it very rough: sick baby which she suspected - but didn't find out for two days that her baby Celena was in hospital for IV fluids and antibiotics just prior to her getting her and they actually spent last night back in ER!!!!! I gave her some pedialyte packages to mix and put into bottle for baby Celena :( Daddy returned while they were still here. Daddy was wringing wet w/ sweat and had very funny story. It seems that in China Baba's DO NOT carry their babies around - only the Mothers!!! Maybe I should have sent him out the door w/ receipt for Rachel along w/ bottles and etc? He said everyone approached him and said very vehemently "Where's you wife?!". Many tried to get him to take her out of Bijorn and try to get her to walk. They thought it more appropriate that Baba's push baby in stroller - more masculine I guess? He finally got irritated and put her on the sidewalk in park to show them that she would not walk. He said she plopped right down and started to cry - which made him actually very happy to more or less "show them". He said she reached out for him to take her which I know meant the world since he's been feeling a little blue over her attachment to me. If ANYONE even so much as looks at her - her lip quivers and she starts to cry. When we were in the police station - I took her out of Bijorn to sit her on my lap towards counter and she started screaming - right about this time the lady at counter took out her web cam and took her picture............our mouths just dropped open.....................MORTIFIED!!!!! Now, they'll probably think that we torture her.

We stayed in tonight to get some rest and give Rachel a break too. She needed it - she sat in floor and cried even w/ me beside her. I think she's not feeling so well either - so I gave her a little baby ibuprofen and she is fed, clean and went right out. Last night she thrashed around in crib all night - never woke - just tossed and turned.

Well, that just about covers it. We spoke to our parents earlier today - this was long overdue with the time change and all. I also sent out some emails - but during the sending mode - the pc froze up!!! I hope everyone got them. Tomorrow I get up early and go out w/ Janet (our guide) for Tai Chi (spelled correctly?) lessons and RELAXATION early and then to breakfast and then to temple to have Rachel blessed and off to Jade market ...................YAY shopping for Mama!!

Good night,

Mom GZ time = 10:12 pm

We like to slurp on Mom's jewelry. I bought a jade disc on a red string - very symbolic and for meant to represent good long life and happiness (something like that) and to hand down to her when she's older and she sucks it in and out like a lifesaver. She's very gentle (so far) and doesn't yank or bite - just gently explores and looks up for my approval. Here in this pic - she's sleepy and is sucking on my earring. I have the giggles.
Dad has it made in here at Starbucks (tonight). Earlier today during Daddy morning - he said Rachel through a hissy fit and a young attendant ran over and tried to offer her a sucker to calm her down - he opted to just make a quick exit. Tonight Mama has her and even tho she's tired and slightly whiny - Dad can sit back and drink his latte and just view :)
We just had a very loooooooong cry to be held - which Mom was having none of while she tidied up the room (quickly) and got her things ready for her sponge bath, clean diapie w/ not so loved application of boudreaux's butt paste (slightly rashy - so humid here), hair washed, rubbed down w/ baby lotion, and boogies picked. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!!!!!! Afterwards - I put on some warm chenille socks, her onesie, swaddled her in one of her blankies and rocked her and in less than two seconds - princess Rachel was OUT! Thank you Jesus!
She's adorable but even cuter when she's not awake :D