Around Guangzhou

Sunday Afternoon March 26, 2006 5:00pm
Today has been a very good day. We enjoyed our breakfast at the buffet. Boy what a difference from the LakeView. There were only 3 adoptive families at the Lakeview and there must be 300 here at the White Swan. Kelly had offered to take us sightseeing today, but we weren't sure that would be good for Hannah Joy. She seemed to be having a good morning, so we decided to risk it. We went to the Chen Family Temple where we enjoyed seeing the various crafts from the Guangdong province. We saw finger/palm painting (you won't believe it), ivory carvings, wood carving, embroidery and porcelain. Hannah Joy really liked being outside here and did very well. We then went to the pearl market, but Hannah Joy fell asleep on the ride there. I sat in the van while Chris and the Drakes went shopping. Hannah slept for a long time but finally woke up. She was a little grumpy so the driver offered to hold her. After a few minutes (my back and arms appreciated the break) I took her for a short walk around the mall area. When I went back to the van, the driver reached out for her. Hannah Joy slapped at him and turned and hugged me!!!! Oh what a happy mama!! This is the first time she has slapped at a Chinese person. Chris and the Drakes came back shortly and we returned to the hotel for lunch. We decided to visit Lucy's for lunch. Oh, happy day! Western food! I ordered a club sandwich and Chris ordered a steak. Hannah Joy got scrambled eggs. She was ecstatic when the waitress brought the ketchup for my fries. She insisted that I put some on her eggs. (She is NOT related to me!) She put her fingers in it and then ate the ketchup with a big happy smile! We then went for a very long walk. Hannah Joy loves being outside and was very content the entire way. On the way back to the White Swan, we stopped at A Home of Love and met Stella. She is very nice and helpful. We bought a pair of squeaky shoes and a cell phone. We eventually got tired and returned to the room. This did NOT make Hannah Joy happy. She threw another tantrum, but it was shorter than ones in the past. She is now sitting happily in my lap playing with the very noisy cell phone (maybe the batteries will die soon ;-)

P.S. I am feeling much better today. I took my zyrtec and nasonex (and motrin too) and I think this is helping tremendously. Now if I could just get Hannah Joy's cold to clear up.