I don’t have a whole lot to report today, but I have a ton of pics. We’re just kind of biding time until Guangzhou. I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I think it’s my sinuses reacting to the pollution here. Yuckity yuck yuck yuck. Many of our traveling companions are sick with viruses and the like.

 

We got Sophie Fu Duo’s finding ad yesterday. That’s the ad they posted in the newspaper after she was found. Seeing all those little faces staring out from the grainy newspaper ad made me cry. It’s something that’s never far from my mind; Sophie has had more than her fair share of tragedy so far in her little life.

 

The grandmas are both doing well. We’re all eating well and feeling good. We’re all getting enough sleep. I think they’re enjoying themselves. (And they’re both having fun shoe shopping!)

 

Today we walked around the part of this area in Chongqing that we hadn’t seen yet. Again with the walking freak show. At one point we had about 10 people following behind us in a little curious train. One other time a crowd gathered outside a small shop we were in. It’s hilarious. But they’re all very, very nice here. It’s a bit disconcerting at times, but we haven’t met one rude person yet. The young women all pull Sophie’s thumb out of her mouth and say “no, no”. They mean well, but I think Sophie Fu Duo should be allowed her thumb for the time being. It soothes her.

 

She continues to make remarkable progress every day. Today she’s grabbing toys like nobody’s business, she can sit up much better and when we put her on her feet she pushes into the floor, understanding that we want her to “stand”. And while she’s not too crazy about hard foods, (we’ll concentrate on that when we get home), she sucks down her whole bottle at pretty much every feeding time. She’s still congested but it’s getting better slowly.

 

Tonight we had our group pictures…

The entire travel group.

 

 

All the babies!! Can you pick out Sophie Fu Duo?

She’s in the pink dress, fourth from the right on the top. Chaotic does not start to describe what was involved in taking this photo

Before the pics. A better shot of the sooper dooper dress prettiness.

 

 

Here’s a great shot Colette got of a boy in split pants, sans diaper. When the child has to poo they hold him over a trash can. I don’t know how they can time that. Saves on diapers, I guess.

 

 

A typical scene.

 

 

Nai Nai and Sophie.

 

 

In front of the hotel.

 

We’ll update when we get to Guangzhou!