Being a First Time Mom (Day 4)

So, I am learning (or trying to anyway). I have been e-mailing a couple of friends at home (both China moms) as Ella has had a cough and congestion since day 1. Trying to figure out what medicine of the many I brought along I should give to her or whether I should take her to the doctor or what. It is hard for me to express (and many already understand this) how strange it is all of a sudden to be the decisionmaker for another person, and someone who can't tell me what she needs or wants to boot. I guess I just don't want to do anything wrong, and we all know that I will do just that many times.

Today Ella woke up and she didn't seem any better so we went to the clinic doctor here at the hotel for a check-up. Interesting concept really, a bit like the Love Boat but the doctor didn't really remind me of him. Anyway, she took a look and in addition to telling me how beautiful Ella is (we hear that a lot), she said she just has a little cold, nothing wrong with her ears and no bronchitis. Now I just have to alleviate her current symptoms and we'll be good. I think they think I'm a little nuts but I just want to make the right choices when I can.

So, a little more about her, she can wave although I rarely know why (she was waving to people on the TV while eating her dinner), she has a little curl to her hair, she makes a lot of noises that at first we thought were part of crying but it turns out she just likes to make loud noises (and they obviously get a response!)

The response of the Chinese people is really interesting. Yesterday at the beautiful Pavilion and even today in the lobby people come up to us and ask if she is a Chinese baby and then tell me how beautiful she is. Lots ask if she is a boy or girl and make faces at her and touch her. She seems to take it all in stride at this point and is happy for the attention. Rob and I were discussing the reactions and wondering what people think of us here for this purpose. I had one older woman say that I had a "good heart" today but lots of people stare, no smile and I wonder what they are thinking. In all, the local population has been very friendly trying out their English and interacting with all of us.

Today, because of a nap that she couldn't miss (I woke her from one yesterday and will try not to do that again) I missed the trip to a local park and local village. Rob will have to give you the details, I understand it was very interesting and amazing that we were invited by a local family into their home.

I think tomorrow is a general paperwork and then maybe shopping on our own day. Ella and I went down to the playroom with Elizabeth and her daughter Nina to check it out so hopefully we can get the little ones together to hang out for a bit (not on a bus)tomorrow. Monday we have our trip to the orphanage and I am really looking forward to having those memories and photos for Ella.

It's about 8:00 pm here today and Ella is asleep, Uncle Rob is trying to sleep (very early for him) and I am soon to follow I think. I did sleep during her nap today but as many of you know, this is just a very different kind of tired. I don't mind it, just don't know when she'll be up next.

It was a good day, just looking at her face makes my heart beat. And by the way, I think those developmental reports saying she could be a bit naughty, right on target. More on that later. Love from China.

Kim