Day 4 with Ella

Thursday January 16, 2014

2:38PM

You guessed it, it's nap time :) Time to post photos and catch up on my blogging.

Yesterday after nap time we headed to the pool for more swimming. Only this time the whirlpool was hot, way too hot for Ella. She was just so excited though, so we went into the unheated pool and played for about 20 minutes. Her teeth were totally chattering and I was cold too so we headed back to the room. Since Ella started a melt down the day before at dinner, we thought it might be better to have dinner at the hotel. . .  just in case.

We had a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ella started to get concerned and asking for her foster mom, and Dave busted out his smart phone and start showing her pictures. It distracted her until dinner arrived and she was great for the rest of the meal.

Last night was the best bed time routine we have had. We brushed our teeth, changed into our jammies and then worked on a sticker book. She loved putting the stickers on the pages and truly had a nice time. Then it was time for bed. I read her 2 story books and then we said a prayer and then we all settled in. No tears, no melt downs :)

Ella slept through the night. . . I however did not. I was worried about Luke and at 4AM, I thought I might as well call and get an update. It was good to hear how things were going. Luke was on the mend and would be discharged later that day. I was basically up for the day :( I did however take a nice little nap about 6AM. But up at 7 to get ready.

We all had a nice breakfast and then were off to a local park. It was only about a 5 min. walk. It was huge. The grounds were so lovely, beautiful walking paths, thoughtfully landscaped, a small lake in the middle. If I lived in a giant city with 3 million of my closest friend, I would need a place like that. It was so calm and serene.

Ella had a ball, they also had a couple of small play areas. She loved the swings. She had never been on a swing before and was just beaming! There was also a slide that was quite the hit. Then it was time to go she was resistant to the idea. She wanted to play! Why couldn't we see that? :)

After the park we headed to wal-mart. We needed some shoes for Ella. We didn't bring any, because it was too hard to guess her size. Also I knew she would have at least one pair and it wouldn't be an emergency if we waited. The shoes she has however, are a little too small. We took her to the store to pick up some supplies and got a nice pair of cute pink tennis shoes. Honestly, they were the only ones we could find that fit her, but I really like them nonetheless.

When we got back to the hotel we had some lunch and now Ella and Dave and napping. Dave was also wake really early this morning too. I sure like nap time. I am always torn if I should nap or write. I guess writing wins out because I want to make sure I record all these wonderful moments.

Dave leaves in the morning. He heads out at 6AM. He will fly from Nanning to Beijing and then on to Seattle and home. I am so glad he could spend these first 4 days with Ella. She clearly has a preference for him and always wants to be with him. I think she will miss him and I am so glad we will have Skype so she can at least see him if not touch him and hug him. Today we had lunch in the room and she took her cup of noodle over to him and wanted to eat close to him on the bed. Then Dave moved to the desk, Ella promptly grabbed her cup of noodles and followed Dave over the desk.  Calling out "Ba Ba", "Ba Ba." I am pretty sure we have a favorite around here. I hope she does okay when it is just boring old mom.

Ella and I head out at 2PM, right during nap time- phooey! We will check out of the hotel and head to get her passport. Then off to the airport and Guangzhou. We are also staying at the Marriott and I am hoping for another smooth experience there. I will really be missing Dave, but hopefully can make some fast friends at the hotel. I think our agency has 4 families there at the same time. I think we will have some appointments together. Nice to not be 100% solo.

I was also able to talk to my mom and Luke is home! I know Dave is aching to see the boys (just like me.) I only wish we were all going home. Two weeks seems like a long time my friends, a very long time. At least we know that Ella and I will be home in 9 days. That is single digets :)

I probably wont post again until we are settled in Guangzhou. Wish us safe (and meltdown free) travels!