Monday, April 8, 2013

China Doll

This little Calli Fei Fei really has our hearts.  She is so sweet and a little sassy.  She will fit right in!  The rest of them (Ashley included) are so sassy and a little sweet.  It is such an incredible experience watching her learn to trust us.  She is very cautious and quiet.  She almost always looks serious.  Even when she is playing in the hotel room you can see that she is being reserved.  But, little by little she is coming out of her shell.  We are already seeing lots of personality.  (We might want to take some of that "shell" home with us!) There are moments when you know she let's down her guard.  It is usually a laugh, a smile, or making some noise.  Every once in a while she is even silly - like sticking her tongue out.  Which is good, because silly is an essential in our family.  She has been so brave!

Today has been a really good day for Calli and Ashley in terms of bonding.  It started at breakfast.  I went and made my plate at the (really good, light in our mostly food darkness) breakfast buffet - and Calli didn't even whimper.  Ashley fed her all of her breakfast, and I enjoyed a break.  I even left long enough to take some confiscated yogurt up to our room, and when I came back she was totally fine.  It just kept getting better throughout the day.  Ashley has held her almost all day.  The only exceptions were when I took her outside because the traditional Chinese tea demonstration got a little long and boring for her and I got her to sleep for nap by rolling up and down the hallway in her stroller.  That was the easiest bed time yet!

I know this journey is only getting started, but for now we can tell you that as awkward and unnatural as the process is - loving her unconditionally as our daughter is easy and as natural as anything!  She has our hearts!

Some thoughts:
- Papa John's pizza never tasted so good! (brought to our room for lunch - best $25 pizza ever!)
- Calli shot rice out of her nose last night after dinner
- All Walmarts should have escalators that you can take your buggy on - makes Walmart more fun!
- Panda World Rehabilitation Center was very cool, but I do believe Chinese discriminate towards all other bears (we saw many "lesser" bears that were not treated the same - true story)
- The prayers, thoughts, and love from you have been overwhelming

No comments:

Post a Comment