Heifi

Oct 16 Hi there –Cassie is doing very well. We get grins and giggles and she is eating and leaving deposits in her diaper- it is amazing to see the changes every day.

Today we went to the Ancient Village - it was very interesting. The people were very friendly and many of them came up to us. Of course, the clothing police assaulted us on a few occasions. She had on her cute ladybug outfit from Aunt Sally and Uncle Sean, which of course is not near enough clothes by their standards, even with a jacket over it if her legs are showing it, is fair game for them to attack. I did get a photo or two with the little hat on but let me tell you she is NOT a hat baby- who can blame her as her head gets SOOOO HOT! Sean was carrying her today and he was really good about it he would just say yes we know and keep walking!

We took a boat ride, which was neat. I almost did not go because there was no walk- way you just kind of jumped onto the front. It was 16 RMB for both Sean and I – which comes out to a little less than $2. Sean bought Cassie a Chinese rattle- it was $1.22 US. It is amazing how inexpensive things are here and to think other families who bartered got them for even less than that.

Today we have to meet for paperwork. Then Sean is going to take a Chinese cab ride- I hope he makes it back!! He and Steve and Yisha our guide are going to go to a camera store to get a video camera for the orphanage. Then Joy and I are going to go to the Lotus Center (our home away from the hotel) for a cake and some other goodies to have a Birthday party for Olivia. Well I need to get to the meeting but I will post more later – we will probably have Chinese again for dinner --- when in China do as the Chinese do!!!

-continued

Paperwork was no big deal- just to make sure there were no typos or anything. Sean and Steve Evoy (we have 3 Steve’s) went to get the camera – they got a really nice one with an extra battery, tapes and tripod for $70 USD per family. Once Sean got back Joy and I snuck off to the Lotus center to get the cake for Olivia’s party…leaving Dwight and Sean with the babies. Laura kept asking Sean where I was – Hope tried to help by saying I went for another massage and Sean just told her he wasn’t sure where I was- either option makes me sound like a great mom HUH? Neither Dad was to thrilled when we got back almost 2 hours later, let me tell you trying to order a cake is rough with the language barrier J While we were gone Jonathan and Mark had gone to Pizza Hut- WOOHOO no Chinese for dinner tonight!!!! The girls were out playing in the hall- as is pretty usual for each evening. They finally got back with the pizza and the partying began. We all ate dinner and then once we were done Joy and I snuck off for the cake- it was so funny Mark could not figure out whose birthday it was! I think we pulled it off- check out the album for some of Olivia’s first birthday pictures

Well tomorrow is our last full day in Heifi and we get her passport tomorrow and then we can head on to Guangzhou!!!!

Yeah – get us out of this place!

Oct 17 It is hard to believe we have only had Cassie for one week- she has changed so much. I was joking with Sean that I liked it when she did not move – it was much easier to manage diaper changing. She now really likes to be naked and will take off as soon as the diaper is removed. Sean has some concerns about her liking being naked so much – he hopes she does not aspire to be a stripper. We have some really cute photos of her but Sean did not want to post – so you will have to wait to see those! Cassie is now really laughing- she has the cutest dimples under her eyes when she laughs. She is ticklish on her tummy and under her arms. Today she is in a 9-month onesie - but the jeans I bought here at the department store are obviously 12 months and SWIMMING on her I had to roll them up and use a safety pin in the waist

Well today we went to the tombs and get her passport.... tomorrow we are off to Guangzhou. Only a few more days before we head home- ahhh home I’m loving that word! Sean is fantasizing about a hot shower and I just want something to wear besides tan or black bottoms and the 5 shirts I brought. I want a really COLD glass of anything! You can’t use the ice here and most everything is room temperature. That really did not sound bad at first, but you try it for 3 weeks and get back to me! I am really glad I packed those single serve tea and lemonades otherwise I think we would have gone NUTS. You can get coke at most places but diet coke (coke light) is harder to come by and just tasted different to me.

Sean just got her to sleep for a much-needed nap-- ok maybe she doesn't need one but I sure do. Only problem is I need to get packing so I might be able to get some sleep tonight…well Sean has taken advantage of nap time – he is passed out so I am going to go try and get some packing done

Sean, Cassie and I went with Laura, Olivia, Jenny, Steve, Hope and Katie went for a walk when Cassie woke up—yes you guessed it the Lotus Center. We got ice cream at this place that resembled a McDonalds type place. It was really small and there had to be 10 girls working the counter – and of course they were all asking questions about the girls and smiling. Everyone comments on how pretty Cassie is and who am I to argue???? Speaking of pretty babies- who knew they needed so much stuff! I am still trying to pack it all- and we rally have not bought many souvenirs yet, we are waiting for Guangzhou for that! We went to dinner tonight with Joy, Dwight and Mei for Brazilian; it was a quiet dinner, which was nice. Then we came up and gave Cassie a bath and got her to sleep so we could finish packing…I will b so glad to get home and not feel like we are nomads. It has been a really great day- it just amazes me that we have only had these girls for one week

Well must sign off and get to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow; we will let you know how Cassie’s first flight goes. We are hoping it is similar to the bus, which she LOVES

Night night for the last time from Heifi

Sean, Angela and Cassie

Check in tomorrow on the Guangzhou page to see how Cassie likes flying!

	Canaday's Adoption Journey