Sightseeing and some other firsts

Sightseeing!

Today we went to some local sights around Lanzhou.  Our guide took us along with another sweet family we have met who is adopting as well. Erika is here with her father, and she is here adopting Lilly (a precious and energetic 20 month old) while her husband and 6 year old son anxiously
wait for them back home. 

Anna and I and our new friends Erika and Lilly

We went to a park with an "exercise area", a Buddhist temple, and a zoo.  They have several areas for people to exercise, although it is a bit different than one might see in the good old USA!  One lady (who was probably in her 60's) was standing in an open area and repetitively patting her hips/thighs with both hands.  When we asked our guide about this, he said that this was a type of exercise - you might see someone pulling on their ears, clicking their teeth together, etc.   Other places had people playing badminton, dancing, and singing. At one point an elderly gentleman came up to our group and starting talking very loudly.  We weren't sure at first if he was upset or just very animated...at one point his dentures fell out, too, poor thing!  Our guide told us that he was a history teacher and was just happy to see some Americans.  We finally realized that he was shouting in broken English "GEORGE WASHINGTON!  IN WASHINGTON DC IT IS NIGHT!" etc.  We just smiled and then moved on. As I have noted before, it is sort of a big deal to be an American in China (at least the places that I have been) and you tend to get lots of stares.  However, when you have a Chinese baby that is even more interesting...so lots more staring...and then when that baby has an unrepaired cleft lip/cleft palate....LOTS more people stop and look.  Most people are looking kindly, but our guide told us that in China if a baby is born with a cleft lip/cleft palate they see it as a punishment.  With
Chinese people being superstitious, according to our guide, it is very unpopular to have a baby with this problem.  Poor little Anna gets lots of looks - but I am thankful she is young enough to not realize what is going on.  In general, though, people seem to be thankful that we are adopting
this precious little baby - but I kind of feel on display when we are out!  Mom, Anna and I made a successful venture out on our own to the store and managed to get some food for dinner tonight.  Another first was that Anna happily let me put her in the baby carrier - something she did NOT like
the 1st 2 days.  Looking at pictures of her brothers is one of her favorite things to do - she loves the picture book and sat for some time in the stroller just looking at it.  She also looked happily at herself in the mirror and then fell asleep in my arms for the 1st time.  Another good day getting to know my sweet daughter.

Reading and Relaxing!