Thursday, July 15, 2010

This little one is an adventurer. She seems willing try anything once. We continue to see her mischievous and entertaining personality emerge. She has already found Michelle’s obsession button for folded laundry. When Michelle turned her back for a moment Ava snatched some socks and a shirt and ran toward the door giggling with the shirt wrapped around her head, then launched the socks into the bathroom.

She likes:

spicy and salty;

her flower sunglasses;

music;

jumping on the bed; and

running away from daddy through the lobby in squeaky shoes.

She doesn’t like:

sweets or chocolate;

other crying children;

hearing “no”

being ignored.

Today was our last full day in Wuhan and it has finally stopped raining. It’s just 100% humidity now. We ventured out to the Changchun Taoist Temple. Taoist philosophy and religious traditions have influenced Eastern Asia for more than two millennia. Tao is the "path" or "way" (of life) emphasizing compassion, moderation and humility. After giving 10 Yuan to the God of money and the same to hear Michelle’s fortune we continued the Taoist vegetarian teachings an enjoyed lunch of tofu shaped and flavored into meaty imitations. We were quite the attraction at the restaurant. While the adult fans looked on from afar, their curious children walked right on over to our table and told me I “wasn’t speaking Chinese.” The kids were intrigued by a couple of Ava’s foreign toys. They played together, and then posed for the ubiquitous Peace symbol photo.

We returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap and loving with Ava. Richard finished up some paperwork at a notary office and delivered copies of Ava’s birth certificate and confirmation of adoption.

After nap and play time Michelle declared a moratorium on Chinese food for dinner. She wanted Pizza Hut. I received directions from the concierge who then hailed a cab. To the contrary, the bellman said we would be better of walking since traffic was so bad. So, I donned the daddy pack and away we went for what was to be a 20- minute walk. 1 hour and a full circle later we found ourselves back in front of the hotel, dripping with sweat and Ava fast asleep in the pouch. Gripes we even had a map and asked directions 2x on the way. No Pizza Hut, but we did see an interesting open air market, street side manufacturing shops where the fancy curtain rods at Home Depot come from, and other different random stuff.

Michelle lifted the moratorium with a declaration that an ice cold Coca-Cola from the hotel buffet would be a good start to dinner.

Tomorrow morning we will pick-up Ava’s passport and leave Wuhan by train bound for Guangzhou—our final stop in China.

Good night from Wuhan.


Hello Boys. Ava is getting really excited to meet you both. She often looks for the photo album and smiles when she looks at your pictures. Lex she even licked your picture today…eueww. Jack, did you know that Moulan (the Disney character) is a Chinese girl from Wuhan, just like Ava. We’ll have to watch it…this is no princess movie. For the honor of her family Moulan joins the army instead of her father. She does the training to go to war against the Huns who invaded China.

Mommy and Daddy Love and miss you both soooo much. We have so many things to tell you about when we get home with your new baby sister. Just 8 more sleeps to go and we’ll be HOME!

Love Mommy and Daddy!