Penelope is still continually and directly attached to me but makes progress each day. She is walking more but definitely has Jell-o legs and still walks like a drunken sailor. This morning for breakfast we tried a high-chair again and had SUCCESS! Breakfast in her own chair, the first degree of independence! She is quick to share her food, there are usually three options: either a Cheerio for her a Cheerio for me, or a bite of a Cheerio for her the rest for me, or the last option (grin) she puts the Cheerio in her mouth then bites it in half and takes out half a wet piece for me… the fact that she shares her food is huge, and unusual for orphanage children! She is quick to laugh and smile, and we encourage this as a main means of attachment. Today after Todd reached over and showed the pincers exaggerated before tickling her, she turned around and took her hands and by swiveling her wrists she flipped her hands and fingers face down then face up repeatedly while laughing. Amazing, she initiated tickling and when Todd laughed in response she went absolutely giddy.
Today was our only complete free day. We got up early and after breakfast went to Sha Mian Island to enjoy the locals exercising in the park. It was delightful watching the line dancing, Tai Chi, Tai Chi with swords, Tai Chi with fans, ballroom dancing, mahjongg, preschoolers out for a walk, Taiji Rouliqiu, (Tai Chi Rhythm ball) dancing while using two racquets and tossing a ball between the two, Chinese hacky sack ( a group of feathers with washer weights on the end), and parents doing stretching exercises on the kids playground while watching their child. Penelope must have caught the exercise bug because she voluntarily went up a random set of stairs that went to a locked gate and then back down again, she is finally starting to bend her knees.
We started shopping and then when we were so hungry we got lunch and took our first purchases back to the hotel where Todd and Violet went swimming while Penelope and I went back to the island with the two grandmothers to do some real power shopping. If you buy a bunch at a store they let you borrow a stroller and I decided to try it… wonder of wonders, Penelope was fine as long as it was moving, as soon as it stopped she starts the melt-down, the second degree of independence!
I came with a list of items I wanted to bring back, and after an afternoon of some crazy shopping I had everything checked off. I love Guangzhou, the differences just within a few blocks, from post English occupation where you feel like you are in a portion of London, to crazy techno pumping clothing shopping to animals laying in tarps to be purchased for food or herbal remedies. It is bittersweet; I am glad to be going home but am sad to leave Guangzhou.
Brian and Ann asked for a recommendation for one more authentic Chinese dinner, and it was two blocks from our hotel. It was WILD! There were at least three floors, we were the only Caucasians, and there was one staff person that spoke a TINY, and I mean a TINY, bit of English. The first look thru the menu, a 50 page manual, made it easy as most of it was ruled out immediately (and this is coming from the girl that had scorpions on our last trip to China). I wasn’t sure what we would end up with but once again everyone ordered one or two things and we ended up with a FABULOUS variety of food we all raved about. What a wonderful meal to end our stay in my favorite Chinese city.
Today was Grammas (Todd’s mom) birthday so after dinner and we all went back to the hotel Grams (my mom) found a bakery to get a piece of cake so we could celebrate. Both of the girls were so tired and cranky so we were going to put them to sleep and then go next door to celebrate. Todd and I were lying in bed, Violet in the bed next to Todd’s side and Penelope in the crib next to my side. After five minutes I couldn’t hold it in anymore I burst out laughing and Todd joined in; it looked like Violet was doing some mambo dance under the covers while humming and singing and Penelope was gurgling, cooing, clicking her tongue, bouncing her leg, and babbling. Needless to say there was no sleeping that was going to happen any time soon, we got them up and all celebrated and after they were tired enough to go to sleep. Kids are so much fun!
Penelope is still continually and directly attached to me but makes progress each day. She is walking more but definitely has Jell-o legs and still walks like a drunken sailor. This morning for breakfast we tried a high-chair again and had SUCCESS! Breakfast in her own chair, the first degree of independence! She is quick to share her food, there are usually three options: either a Cheerio for her a Cheerio for me, or a bite of a Cheerio for her the rest for me, or the last option (grin) she puts the Cheerio in her mouth then bites it in half and takes out half a wet piece for me… the fact that she shares her food is huge, and unusual for orphanage children! She is quick to laugh and smile, and we encourage this as a main means of attachment. Today after Todd reached over and showed the pincers exaggerated before tickling her, she turned around and took her hands and by swiveling her wrists she flipped her hands and fingers face down then face up repeatedly while laughing. Amazing, she initiated tickling and when Todd laughed in response she went absolutely giddy.
Today was our only complete free day. We got up early and after breakfast went to Sha Mian Island to enjoy the locals exercising in the park. It was delightful watching the line dancing, Tai Chi, Tai Chi with swords, Tai Chi with fans, ballroom dancing, mahjongg, preschoolers out for a walk, Taiji Rouliqiu, (Tai Chi Rhythm ball) dancing while using two racquets and tossing a ball between the two, Chinese hacky sack ( a group of feathers with washer weights on the end), and parents doing stretching exercises on the kids playground while watching their child. Penelope must have caught the exercise bug because she voluntarily went up a random set of stairs that went to a locked gate and then back down again, she is finally starting to bend her knees. 
We started shopping and then when we were so hungry we got lunch and took our first purchases back to the hotel where Todd and Violet went swimming while Penelope and I went back to the island with the two grandmothers to do some real power shopping. If you buy a bunch at a store they let you borrow a stroller and I decided to try it… wonder of wonders, Penelope was fine as long as it was moving, as soon as it stopped she starts the melt-down, the second degree of independence!
I came with a list of items I wanted to bring back, and after an afternoon of some crazy shopping I had everything checked off. I love Guangzhou, the differences just within a few blocks, from post English occupation where you feel like you are in a portion of London, to crazy techno pumping clothing shopping to animals laying in tarps to be purchased for food or herbal remedies. It is bittersweet; I am glad to be going home but am sad to leave Guangzhou.
Brian and Ann asked for a recommendation for one more authentic Chinese dinner, and it was two blocks from our hotel. It was WILD! There were at least three floors, we were the only Caucasians, and there was one staff person that spoke a TINY, and I mean a TINY, bit of English. The first look thru the menu, a 50 page manual, made it easy as most of it was ruled out immediately (and this is coming from the girl that had scorpions on our last trip to China). I wasn’t sure what we would end up with but once again everyone ordered one or two things and we ended up with a FABULOUS variety of food we all raved about. What a wonderful meal to end our stay in my favorite Chinese city.
Today was Grammas (Todd’s mom) birthday so after dinner and we all went back to the hotel Grams (my mom) found a bakery to get a piece of cake so we could celebrate. Both of the girls were so tired and cranky so we were going to put them to sleep and then go next door to celebrate. Todd and I were lying in bed, Violet in the bed next to Todd’s side and Penelope in the crib next to my side. After five minutes I couldn’t hold it in anymore I burst out laughing and Todd joined in; it looked like Violet was doing some mambo dance under the covers while humming and singing and Penelope was gurgling, cooing, clicking her tongue, bouncing her leg, and babbling. Needless to say there was no sleeping that was going to happen any time soon, we got them up and all celebrated and after they were tired enough to go to sleep. Kids are so much fun!
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