No News is Good News

We've had such a peaceful quiet few days here that I decided to take a blog break yesterday. Other than a stack of Visa paperwork for Ailah today, the only activity has been shopping; yesterday at Li Wan Mall and today around Shamian. The trip to Li Wan was, for me, to buy pearls, for Jeff, to buy DVD's.

I spent much too much on pearls, but I filled your request Katelynn and it's all your fault I was even there. I'll put it on your tab. We spent a great deal less at the DVD store and all but one worked on our DVD player. Today Jeff went back with our portable player to try a few more and after explaining what it was, he was the envy of everyone in the store. Apparently these little DVD players aren't common here. And, of course, the DVD's are legit, we'd never buy anything untoward. We also have some swampland in Florida on which we will give you "very best, good friend price."

Last night we went to Michael's Tea Shop for the third time for some more good conversation and good tea. This is our favorite place on Shamian. He always welcomes us in, makes us wonderful tea and answers our many, many questions about his family and life, China's customs and Guangdong province. This time we didn't leave without making some purchases so we are set to have tea with any one that wants to join us when we get home. I doubt it will be as much fun as at Michael's. Or at least not as informative. Again, Katelynn, I hold you responsible for the tab but we got you a very nice teapot.

Ailah continues to amaze us as she comes out of her shell. Lisa, we were right the first time. I'm still waiting to see a laid back Chinese baby. She never stops moving and her hands are almost as fast as Mara's were. And I know many of you will find this unbelievable, but she has Mara beat hand's down on the drama queen routine when we say no. I didn't know a kid could be so dramatic for so long about a simple request to stop dropping unwanted food on the floor rather than putting it back on the plate.

She is a charming girl, smiling and laughing often, though still shy with strangers. Not fearful, just reserved. She is becoming very mobile, pulling up in her crib and on the beds and walking all around. We haven't pushed it any more than what she does for herself in case her bones are soft enough to cause problems with becoming bowlegged. We're happy to see her sucking down a carton of yogurt two or three times a day with great delight. We figure the more calcium the better. She's not terribly impressed with fruit or vegetables, but she'll eat a few bites here and there. Hopefully she'll get used to that when we get home. She loves the potatoes, in any form, but especially mashed, so Lucy's is her favorite place to eat. Mara and Nikki you'll be glad to hear she is "singing." She has started making a few word-like sounds in a sing-song rhythm, changing tones every now and again. But you two will have your work cut out teaching her to match pitch when she gets home.

Tomorrow we're off for more sight seeing on our own. The group is scheduled for the zoo which we saw last time and decided we don't care to try again. Wonder what we'll discover tomorrow? The warmer weather we've enjoyed the last three days is not slated to last and indeed it was quite cool again this evening. Maybe some indoor venues.