Another day in Guangzhou

Well Saturday night we went to Lucy's for dinner. It is an American style resturant. You would think that they would have an American style bathroom. However you would be wrong. Soon after arriving Kaylee had to go to the bathroom. The resturant does not have a bathroom at all. Lucy's sits right next to the park and has their customers use the park bathroom. David took Kaylee and quickly they returned after describing how bad it was. Nope she could not wait, so I grabbed a handful of napkins and we headed back to the bathroom. It was quite the ordeal. It is really stressful taking kids to eat and praying they dont need to use the bathroom because you know how gross it is going to be.

Today we did some shopping and went swimming. Madelynn is quite the shopper. She loves shoes and lights up when we go into the store. Pointing and babbling about what she sees and wants. she likes to run around in the stores and tease the sales people. I think tonight we are going back to Lucy's. David has had an upset stomach since we got here and does not think he can handle eating anymore chinese food. So we have been eating a big breakfast and snacking and then going for a late dinner.

Here are some pictures taken today of the kids.

Cute Picture of the Girls

We are in Guangzhou

Today we got up early to prepare to Hefei. Our guide took us to the hospital where Madelynn was found. They believe she was a newborn because of her umbilical cord still being attached.

We arrived in Guangzhou on Friday evening. Madelynn did well on her first flight and we were happy to settle in at the White Swan.
Today, Saturday, was a busy day for us. We had breakfast and visited with several other families. It is fun to hear their stories and meet their children. After breakfast we were off to the medical exam. The girls did great. The doctors were pretty considerate

Today was a day of many first for our daughter. She smiled and laughed--which is huge. This is the first day she really interacted with us and played with her toys. She really enjoyed playing with Hayley, our friends daughter. Hayley is very patient and enjoys mothering her. It is funny because both girls are very girly. It is a close competition to see who can get the most hair bows, barretts, ribbons etc in their hair. Both girls seem to be under the opinion that more is better. The more they have in their hair the happier they are. They are very cute together. Today we actually ordered Papa Johns pizza and took the kids swimming tonight. They all seemed to enjoy in but the water was a little cold.

Madelynn likes to play with her snacks. She picks them apart and puts them in bowls and stirs with whatever she can find. It is so good to watch her play.

Visit to the Orphanage

Today has been a very long day for us. Madelynn is a hard nut to crack. She is still very scared and will not let me out of her sight. She becomes frantic. At night, she literally sleeps on top of me. Poor girl she is so sad and mourning something terrible. We have manage to get a few smiles but that is all. We hope as the days come and go she will begin to feel more comfortable.

Today I visited the orphanage and was able to meet her foster family. Talk about emotional. Dave and I decided it would be best not to take Madelynn back because she is having such a hard time. I could tell from the time we walked in the foster mother was disappointed I did not bring her. However, I knew she understood. It was very emotional. I cried and she cried. Words can not express the feeling you have meeting the woman who has raised your child for the past year and a half. How do you say thank you.It is obvious the love she has for her. She showed me her bed and gave me her bowl and spoon. I also received a very nice picture album of her growing up.

After we visited with her family we went with our friends to meet their daughters foster family. Yet again I cried. It really pulls at your heartstrzings to know these kids are leaving everything they know and love to be adopted. In your heart, you know it is what is best for them, but it is still difficult.

Tomorrow we leave for Gaungzhou. THe challenge of trying to fit everything in the suitcase begins tonight.

Oh yes, Kaylee got a McDonalds happy meal today.

We could use some prayers

Well last night our travel friends daughter was running fever and crying. She looked so miserable. Bless her heart. I just saw them this morning and she seems to be feeling better. She still looks a little flush but better than last night for sure. Her daddy has a sore throat this morning.

Now on the Gehrke side of things Kaylee woke up at 4am with a stomach ache and diareaha. Poor girl she was beside herself in misery. I felt so bad for her. She kept throwing up and it felt like she might have a fever. It seems like food poisoning except for the fever. We gave her a phenegran. She is sleeping now and will hopefully feel better soon.

On a more positive note, the girls had a good night last night. They played with their tea cups and stacking blocks. Kaylee would tickle Madelynn and she would smile. Kaylee kept saying how much she loves her and that she cant wait to bring her home to meet HER boys. I thought that was really cute.

This morning Madelynn and I went to breakfast and left David with Kaylee. I discovered Madelynn has a love of sugar and butter packets. In fact she is holding the butter packet in her hand now with a death grip. She is still clinging to Mama. David is being so patient trying to earn her trust. She is just scared to death. She is still wanting to wear her shoes all of the time in case she has the opportunity to make a run for it. She is very tiny and dainty. She has not said much except what sounds to "that" and "shoes in chinese" She has said Mama but only while pointing to the door and wanting to make a run for in or when Daddy tries to hold her. She is a very serious and cautious child at this point. She cries easily.
Well that is all for now. Hopefully I will be writing that Kaylee is feeling better soon

It is Official!!!! Another Gehrke added to the clan!!!!

Well we signed the papers and it is official. Poor Madelynn had to put her footprint on it as a sign of her signature. We had the guide take us to a shoe store because Madelynn's crocs were way to big. Aunt Carol--We need some smaller crocs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After all the paperwork was done, we went our for a Chinese meal. The restaraunt did not have an English menu so we pretty much had to eat what they brought us. We had cooked cabbage, a pork noodle dish, congee and some sort of chicken dish which included two chicken feet and a head. The literally must take a meat cleaver and just chop the heck out of the meat. I am not sure what happens to the large pieces of meat----like the breast but we have not seen any thing like that since we got here.

We went back to the hotel and took a nap and then went and paid 20.00 dollars for 2 tiny cups of ice cream. We won't be doing that again :) After our nap we went swimming. Fortunately we did not have the camera on hand. All the girls were required to wear swim caps. Oh yes!!! It was quite the sight. Kaylee could not understand why we had to wear them. Madelynn was completely put out by it and I could not stop laughing. Kaylee enjoyed the swim but I cant say the same for Madelynn.

She likes to keep her shoes on in anticipation of going back to her foster home. Everywhere we go she very seriously scans the crowd for a familiar face. I feel so bad for her. We have decided on Thursday not to take her back for the orphanage tour. I will be going with Kaylee and Mady will stay with David. It will be a rough day. She will go to David but she is still afraid of him. We know it will get better with time. Dave is such a trooper and I am so proud of how he interacts with her. He is such a great Daddy. I will post the pictures after dinner.