Just Chillin'

Today was a free day for us.  We slept in, ate a leisurely breakfast, and played in the room.  It rained for most of the day so after lunch Lilymei and Baba took a nap and the boys watched a movie.  I spent a little time reading a book (haven't done that since before packing for China).  

Good Morning Sweet Pea!

We took a taxi to one of the shopping areas in Hohhot.  Scott was on the hunt for a few bargain polo shirts.  He scored 2 nice shirts for @ $7 total.  Here Lilymei is sharing her first Oreo Blizzard from DQ. Another hit!

Downtown Hohhot.  Notice Lilymei's new shoes.  The 2 pairs we brought are too big!  This area reminded Scott of New York City.
Lilymei's first time in a highchair.  We had dinner at Pizza Hut.  Last count, that makes 3 times in 8 days we had Pizza Hut.  It is such a bargain and a more gourmet restaurant than our American version.  Lilymei ate 2 pieces of pizza herself.  She tied with Nate.  In this photo she is having her appetizer of crackers.  At this rate, we know she will add a pound or two on before the doctor visit in Guangzhou on Monday.

The smiles and laughter were much more commonplace today.  Daddy has found her tickle spots.    
Lilymei loves to play with the boys.  I think she has figured out just how goofy they really are!

Tomorrow we will receive Lilymei's Chinese passport. We are also planning to visit the area where Lilymei was abandoned.  Pray for good weather for us.  We have only had 1 sunny day here since we arrived Sunday afternoon.  

We will be leaving Hohhot on Saturday morning very early.  We are sad to leave Lilymei's birthplace but we are excited to be one step closer to home.  

A Day Full of Surprises!

This morning we went with our guide, Jessie, to the Inner Mongolia Museum.  It is a one year old building with several floors of exhibits all relating to Inner Mongolia.  We spent almost 3 hours there.  We had an English speaking guide from the Museum take us around to various exhibits.  This is a photo of the outside of the building.  
The largest dinosaur fossils found in all of Asia; 12 meters high and 26 meters long.  Very impressive.  
"The happy bunch."  Lilymei was a little intimidated with the crowds and she clung pretty tight to Scott and I.  Everwhere we went we were on display as many people looked at us, took photos, and tried talking to Lilymei.  
Nate and Drew, dressed as twins, as a few people stated, standing next to an exhibit of a yurt.  The boys groaned this morning when they saw I had these shirts laid out to wear. "Again....yes, the rest of your clothes are drying on the shower curtain rod."   
Family photo next to a few traditional Inner Mongolian outfits, with our museum guide.  Yesterday we purchased 3 of these outfits for Lilymei for when we get home.  We were really impressed with the museum and would have loved to stay longer but now that we have a toddler that's not always possible.    
Nate and Drew at lunch in our hotel at the Thai restaurant.  It was delicious.  We had Spring Rolls, Yellow Curry, Chicken, Fried Rice, and Noodles.  Yum!  Lilymei ate as much as I did and more than the boys.  She has not turned her head away from any kind of food.  We told the boys to learn from her.  
Here is the first surprise of the day.  Smiles that Mama and Baba got to see for the very first time.  Lilymei really opened up this afternoon.  She loves to play with Drew and Nate.
Lilymei reading one of her books.  Isn't that smile precious?!!!  Surprise number 2:  Lilymei laughed out loud, with the boys, of course.  That was a first today.  It brought tears to our eyes.  We did capture the laughter on video.  I hope we can post it tomorrow.

"Are you going to keep taking my picture?"

Look at that beautiful smile.  What a relief!  We can't wait to see more of those tomorrow.  Surprise number 3 happened after we put Lilymei down for the night.  The room was dark except for the light of the computer as Scott and I were getting photos downloaded.  Lilymei started talking.  We don't know what she might be saying but it was so cute!!!  We did get a few video clips of her talking but haven't had a chance to edit it yet.  We'll try to put that on the blog tomorrow too.  

Tomorrow is our free day.  We were thinking of taking the Grasslands tour but decided to forgo it.  It is so far of a drive and the tour lasts most of the day.  We might take our guide, Jessie, with us out shopping in the morning but we hope to sleep in a little.  All three kids were very restless tonight after lights out.  

It's been a great day and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring!

Day 3 Zhaojun Tomb

Breakfast Buddies:  Lilymei is not picky at all when it comes to food.  She will eat anything we give her.  She loves her morning congee but also ate french toast, dim sum, watermelon, banana, rice, and some omelet.  She follows everyone's fork/chopstick and she perks up whenever anything new is placed on the table.  She even woke from a dead sleep while we were at lunch at the noodle shop next to our hotel.  When she saw we were eating she was wide awake.  
Eating with new brother, Drew, while playing with a few toys.  Sometimes she is stubborn and won't put the food in her mouth but will wait forever for us to put it in for her.  Other times, especially with the baby grapes Scott purchased for her, she will gladly pluck them out of our hands.  
Sitting on Mama's lap during one of our car trips today.  Jessie, our guide, had just picked up our official RED BOOK from the notary's office.  
Family photo with the bell players at the Zhaojun tomb where we visited this afternoon.  The players were almost finished with their performance when we walked in but they played another song or two for us and announced to all that since there were "Westerners" in the crowd they would play a special song for us: Ode to Joy.  It was a very nice show.
Inside the cultural museum at the Zhaojun tomb.  Lots of artwork, relics, and exhibits from the Han and Hun cultures.  It was nice to be in the air conditioning.  It was a very hot day in Hohhot today.  So hot in Hohhot, we like to say....

Photo taken by Drew of Khan and Zhaojun, with Zhaojun's tomb (the mound) in the background.  We climbed to the top~the view was stunning, especially since today was the clearest day we have had so far.  
Lilymei eating her first ice cream cone.  Even though the orphanage nannies told us not to feed her cold things, Daddy couldn't resist.  It was made with Mongolian milk.  Yummy!
Street vendors galore in the shopping district where we bought Lilymei a couple of traditional Mongolian outfits and silver necklace (for good fortune).  We also picked up dinner at....McDonald's.  Hey, we had traditional Chinese food for lunch.  Lilymei had her first photo taken next to Ronald McDonald~I think she liked him.  

Lilymei is starting to feel a little more comfortable around us.  She has given the boys a couple of quick smiles but none for Mama or Baba.  The pediatrician from the orphanage came to the hotel to look at Lilymei's hand.  She had a large pustule on her right hand Sunday when we received her.  We had been putting antibiotic ointment on it but it was looking bad.  The pediatrician lanced it and drained the fluid off of it.  Tonight it is looking much better.  We knew it had to be hurting her these past couple of days.  We did get a bit more information from the doctor about Lilymei's medical condition since she had been the doctor that had seen Lilymei while at the orphanage.  We appreciated that.  

Time for bed.  We are going to the Hohhot Museum tomorrow morning.  It should be another fun day.  

Random photos for those wanting more!

Here are some random shots from around our hotel to the first shot of Lilymei coming into the hotel. We had the luxury of having almost all of our paperwork completed in a very nice area of the hotel. All of the officials have come to us, except for the passport photo processing. We just got back from the security office and it was a breeze. 

When we got back from the security office we had Lilymei's pediatrician come to the hotel. The doctor helped treat a sore that Lilymei has on her hand. We hope it gets better soon. We are just about ready to go to a traditional noodle shop for lunch. Thanks again for everyones thoughts and prayers. Miss you all.