report from the field...

Hello hello...long time, no post huh.

We got here in GuangZhou Saturday afternoon. It's Tuesday morning now...almost 10am. We're in a coffee house and I'm using one of their computers (once again, no card reader, sorry). So since I last posted, things have gotten better for the most part. Autumn's doing alot better, but still only is happy when in mom's lap or arms. She cries when I hold her or if she's sitting by herself on the bed or on the floor. She's still going through her thing and that's okay. The one huge relief is that once we put her down in her crib, she cries/grieves a bit and then she's out. all night. Needless to say, mom and dad do get to get good sleep at night. I feel we're lucky compared to some of the other families. Everyone's dealing with something, but we all knew we would be going in.

Autumn loves to be silly. the CCAA has done a perfect job of matching the perfect child to us. Her favourite things thus far is to be face out in the Snugli while we're walking around. She waves her arms and hands in the air like she's conducting the world. She loves to giggle and smile and she actually does interact and play with her dad (as long as she's in mom's lap). She's really good and handing us and taking her toys from us. She's into everything; sights, touch, sounds, etc. She'll do something and then just smile and giggle at us. I got her (through mimicry I'm sure..) to make the "pop" sound with her mouth, say "ba ba ba ba" and occasionally "ma ma ma ma". Since starting that she's become much more vocal as well...making noises while playing. Oh, and I got her to make the 'raspberry' sound we all love so much. We were in tears from laughing so hard the other night.

She's pretty much over the bottle, but will take a little in the morning. She loves to feed herself crackers and such, and will drink water like a fiend from her sippy cup. At her medical exam, she was just fine and healthy save for alittle head congestion. Then again, G and I have a head cold so go figure.

We leave bright and early Thursday morning the 21st....getting back to Denver in the afternoon of...the 21st. (so trippy) We'll be glad to get home. China's been wonderful...lots of interesting and very cool things...and the people have been incredibly wonderful and friendly. So I don't say we'll be glad to be home because of anything to do with our time here...just that we're ready for our own surroundings and environment. And, we're ready to get Autumn settled in so she can finish coming out of her shell. She's got such and wonderful personality and is the most adorable thing (everyone tells us this, it's humbling). I think once we're home and she feels comfortable, she'll be fine. She is a 'spicy girl' after all. Headstrong, smart, strong willed, and beautiful.

Looking forward to writing from home (with pictures!)

Zai Jian!

T