Third Day

Click on the image to the left to view the (rather lengthy) slideshow...

Apart from a brief medical exam in the afternoon, today was a "rest" day, while we wait for passports to be processed. We and another family went after breakfast to visit a Buddhist temple, Shengjin, just behind the hotel. On a little market alley between the hotel and the temple we found ourselves surrounded by a few dozen curious and very happy Chinese, who would not let us pass because they wanted to see the children and talk about them. After a while Karen asked for directions to the temple gate; then they let us go through. Everywhere, people smile when they see us; we get quite a few "thumbs up" signals.

Today was a cling-to-Mommy day for Ellie. She barely tolerated me. At the end of the day she relented a bit and we had a tickle fest just before her bedtime. At breakfast, we tried to make her sit in a high chair -- and found out that she can really scream. To visit the temple, we did make her sit in a stroller. Karen had to walk beside the stroller, holding Ellie's hand. When we went shopping in the afternoon we left the stroller home and Ellie walked along very well with Karen and (sometimes) with me. When the families had dinner together, she did sit in a high chair without fuss, but it was a non-seat-belted high chair. You may notice in a couple of pictures that she's starting to smile here and there.

Thanks for the comments some of you have left -- it's great to have some idea who has been visiting! -- and for your good wishes and prayers. We are all doing very well. Mark and Tori, if you are reading this, Mom misses you and sends her love! And that goes for me, too. We are telling Ellie all about both of you. Tori, you should know that your little sister does not like to be held upside down!