More Mama Time

Great news! Abigail has been cuddling with her mama.

Doug woke with a bad headache so I took over. Before long Abigail was giggling and smiling and laughing with me. She even downed a bottle for the first time with me!

We strapped her in my hip carrier before our big trip to the Chinese Walmart. She somehow slept through the whole experience right there in that carrier.

We needed to go to Walmart because the luggage limits didn't allow us to bring the quantities of items we'd need for a 17 day stay -- 14 of those days with a baby.

But American brands were abundant Pampers, Johnson's baby shampoo, Nestle rice cereal. Then we got some snacks to make us feel more at home -- Lay's potato chips, Bugles, Oreos and Pringles, which come in flavors such as kiwi or shrimp. We stuck with what we knew. We have had enough adventure lately.

Our group gets alot of attention in these types of situations. People admiring the babies. They try to figure out if Natalie can speak Chinese. Lots of stares -- it's hard not knowing what they are saying. Every once and awhile if we ask her to our guide will translate.

Walmart was on the second and third floor with a magnetized escalator that you stand on with your shopping cart. The layout and the colors of the signs made it seem familiar, but the blaring heavy metal music did not -- nor the workers at certain areas yelling for customers to buy their items. It was very loud, but we got what we needed.

We convinced our guide to stop at McDonald's for lunch on the way home. I have never eaten so much McDonald's, but it so comforting because it is so much like home. Outside its doors are another story. Bicycles and motorized vehicles lined up as far as you can see.

The main reason we went out today was to go to the notary's office. God answered my prayers. We did not have to cross the street.

As soon as we sat before the notary, she said, "You adopt fat baby." Big sister Natalie stepped into protective mode and was worried that the comment wasn't very nice. I later tried to explain that maybe the woman didn't know the translation for a better choice of words.

Abigail took her first dip in the pool. At first she was okay if I was holding her close, but by the end she let me help her extend her legs in the water. Soon she might enjoy the water as much as our little mermaid/fish Natalie. Dad was supposed to come take photos of Abigail's first swim but he feel asleep waiting for our laundry to be delivered.

Now everyone's taking a nap. It looks like I might be able to catch up on some sleep too. Nothing is planned for the rest of the day. Well, Natalie has plans to revisit the pool!