Day 8 - Family Day

We decided that after yesterday, we just needed some down time as a family to do our own thing.  So the grandparents went to the market and a museum with Belinda today while we stayed back at the hotel.  It was nice not to have any schedule to follow!  We took our time eating breakfast - once again she was chowing down the food!  She loved her watermelon,banana, green beans and toast with fried eggs on it!!

Getting ready for our family day!!

After breakfast we did some more laps around the lower level and main lobbies.  So much fun, but we needed a change in scenery!!

 

Ge Ge and Mei Mei

So we decided to press our luck with putting her in the stroller and going for a walk in the Nanhu (South Lake) Park next to our hotel.  We had been advised not to use a stroller the first few days, instead use a Snuggly or simply carry her facing us to help in forming a bond/connection with her.  We bundled her up and headed out - SUCCESS!  She loved going in the stroller!!  (She will definitely be training for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk with me!!!) She actually passed out on the ride and continued napping for over an hour once we returned to our room. 

After her nap we struggled and tried everything to calm her down, but to no avail!  Finally we tried racing with Zachary up and down the hallway - we actually got smiles and squeals!!! She loved it!  She loves watching and chasing him!!  What an amazing bond they are forming, it's wonderful to watch!

Belinda stopped by in the afternoon for us to verify all of the final documents from the Notary for her visa.  As well, the photographer for the registrar's office who took our family photo for the documents stopped by to deliver our photos from the disposable cameras we sent in Caitlin's care package.  We were able to see where she lived and with whom.  Such a different way of living - but she was smiling and seemed to be happy in the photos!  We also found out that she favored the "ba ba" (father) in her foster family as well.  

At some point during the afternoon, she finally started to look for me and reach out for my hand to play.  Yeah!

We invited Belinda and her husband and 5 month old daughter Mu En to have dinner with us at our usual restaurant on the lower level.  They came by motorcycle (scooter) - Belinda rides on the back holding on to Mu En.  Oh yeah I forgot to mention that there are no car seats over here!    

Belinda made some suggestions for new dishes to try.  Once again Caitlin chowed down everything from fried rice to spicy bbq pork and noodles!!  After dinner was through Caitlin actually reached her arms out for me to pick her up and said "mama".  :)   

I took hallway walking duty tonight and she passed out really easily... too easily!  But as I placed her in bed - she woke up screaming!!  For the next 45 minutes there was no consoling her.  We finally placed her in her crib, got in our beds and turned out the lights.  Low and behold... she laid down and went to sleep!!! 

I have a few more photos from today that I will have to post tomorrow because I am writing in the dark hoping she won't wake up!