Ella - Day 5 - Sunday here/Saturday at Home - Rob

Ella,

Today was a day when we did not do a whole lot but hang out. For breakfast you had congee (rice soup really – very thick – which you have every meal), fried egg (which you also had all three meals today), and we discovered you are not a big plain yogurt fan.

Dinner was another local restaurant where each of us paid 60 yuan per family - less than $10. We couldn't even get take out at home for that - and here we had more than we could all eat. You love to pull on things - and the curtains and curtain rods at the restaurant didn't stand a chance..

You love to look around and as your mom said, you are definitely a people watcher. You have adapted to sitting in a high chair now – so things are easier on your mom at meal time. And it gives you a better view and ability to turn and look at things. You will fit in well with your mommy – if only we knew if you were commenting in your mind yet(did you look in the mirror before you left your room) about shoes or outfits other people have the audacity to wear.

You seem to be feeling better – the medicine appears to be working. You even rode on the elevator a couple of times without fussing. (which is good – because we are a little leery of how you will do on a 13 hour plain ride if you don’t like a 5 minute elevator). But every day – your progress in adapting to the situation is beyond expectations.

And your bond with your mommy is amazing. You will not let her leave the room unless you know she is right around the corner (although even then raises your anxiety level.) You have actually moved into the phase when you appear to be testing the limits and challenging a little bit. Which to me – the non-father, never done this before expert, looks like you have bonded and developed trust enough to take it to the next level (although I realize that bonding will need to go on forever in different ways.) And this is only day 5.

Watching your mommy’s face light up, her confidence grow, her tension level come down, and her comfort level go up is amazing. Day 5 – and you would never know she was ever without you…..As much as she should feel good about giving you what is hopefully a fantastic opportunity at life – you will never know how much you have done for her. Even at this point, already. And as a non-father – I am guessing a little here – but it is pretty educated. Hopefully all of the parents out there continue to look for this from both sides – especially when it is toughest to do so (and I know it is at times).

I realize in many ways this is the honeymoon – and the hard work begins when Kim gets back. And she will need all of our help and support. Mom and Dad –we don’t say it enough- but thanks for all you have done and do for us. We are all very lucky. And we love you more than we show, and we owe you more than you know.

Ella, you seem to trust me a little more each day. Today we played together, I fed you and you keep smiling at me and touching my face – especially the facial hair – which you do not see in China (many of the babies are seemingly afraid of facial hair.) And more and more you keep flirting…. You really like it when I play with your toes and your nose. You have big feet - your shoes don't even fit...But you still think my size 12 feet are a little bit out there.

The weather in this part of China is in the 60s/70s. There seem to be very few rules on trying to preserve the ozone – as pollution here is 3 times what you see in L.A. (I still don’t but the marine layer thing…) We actually saw a little sun yesterday – but I don’t think it gets through very often. Imagine our cars – with no emissions laws, about 10 years older on average, and factories and everything else – along with the huge number of people – and many if not most, smoking - everywhere.

We are off to the orphanage this morning. I look forward to seeing the people who took such great care of you before you entered our lives..

Uncle Rob