60 hours and counting...

Well, we've had Nina-Li for 2 1/2 days. Yesterday I was really hoping for a fantasy. We went to Wal-Mart. This is probably her first time to ever go shopping. So, in my little dream world I thought this would be a dream come true for a little girl to choose things she wanted for the first time. However, we had to drive there. And every time we drive, she thinks she is going back to the orphanage. So, Wal-Mart was full of tears. However, through those tears, she definitely had strong opinions of what she wanted. So, she was still really cute while crying for her E.I. at the same time. She chose a red dress and a Minnie Mouse skirt with matching leggings attached. Some pink tennis shoes and bronze & gold boots (not quite my taste, but I'll go with it), we got her a backpack that she wore through-out the store, a suitcase, a CD of Chinese children's songs and two toys. One little miniature doll set and a larger set of those princess rubber dolls. Would someone please tell me what those are called? Everything is very girly. She doesn't want anything to do with pants, only dresses and skirts. I brought her a little jean jacket, and she wears it of everything. Always wearing barrettes and headbands. And of course she still loves make-up. (Side note: Yesterday I had her put make-up on me! Hilarious but fun!)

We ate at McDonald's which was right by Wal-Mart. And although she said she didn't want anything she ate a huge order of french fries (& I believe she tried ketch-up for the first time and really liked it) and drank a medium size orange juice.
When we arrived at the hotel she was very mad. It took awhile for her to calm down. Sometimes we aren't handling well. When she has these fits she just screams as loud as she can. It is so hard. Because no one, including our guide can calm her down. Bill has had a tough time with this. He wants to be dad and take charge, but it is making Nina-Li draw away from him. He was feeling very low last night. I prayed for him a lot last night. Stay tuned for today later in this message.
Nina finds peace in hanging out with the boys, especially Dawson. We were told that if we brought our kids she would bond with them quicker and feel safe with them, and that is definitely the case. This would have been much harder with out them with her being 7. And she probably would have been a bit bored with us. It is so funny because the boys and my dad do not know any Mandarin and are communicating with her just fine. Bill and I are using our tiny bit of knowledge and cheat sheets and she ignores us half of the time. So, I think we need to relax a bit. Our Mandarin has come in handy in getting around and communicating with her somewhat though. Thank you Bob! You would probably giggle, but we're making it!

Before the sun (hidden behind the smog) went down behind the mountain here in Fuzhou we went for a walk. In front of our hotel is a lake with a beautiful boardwalk & trail around it. We went about half way around and back. Of course, lots of stares from the locals. The entire walk she held Dawson's hand. He is her biggest comfort right now. She even slept with him. Not sure if that was the right move, but I've read several times, don't worry about details and just let her feel safe. The boardwalk had beautiful greenery and flowers around. It was dusk, and there were several bats flying around us. They came quite close, to the point that if you were fast enough, you could probably just grab it.

We had dinner here at the hotel again. Much of the local cuisine here is difficult for us to interpret, they don't have menus in English as they do in Beijing and Guangzhou. Our guide told us if you use the pictures, you often won't get what you think you are getting. Nina-Li told me she didn't want anything, but as soon as I put the food in front of her she eats.

So, the evening closed with Nina-Li once again going to bed in her clothes. Not sure if she wore PJ's ever or if she is just attached to her clothing.
However, with clothing we made progress. You see she has been wearing the same undershirt, skirt, tights, underwear and shoes for three days. She choose a long shirt or dress and just wears it over her original skirt so you really don't see it. (BTW, she is wearing 4t perfectly, 5t a little big, but working.) So today, I gave her the mini mouse skirt/tights she bought and fortunately had a very cute shirt here to match. And she wanted to wear it. I also showed her, her new underwear that she chose and wanted to wear it. So, when I went to put on her skirt/leggings (they are connected) she wanted her old tights on. I smelled the feet and pinched my nose, 'stinky' and then had her smell them. She agreed! Yeah! But, she was concerned about covering her feet, so I showed her the socks I brought which were just plain white, boring, no lace socks. She didn't like them, but decided she must wear them. So, everything she is wearing other than her undershirt is new. And of course, her original skirt and tights went her in backpack along with her other prized positions. She loves the hair pretties. Her hair is so short, so the barrettes work best. However, today she wanted pony tail holders. Fortunately I had those little tiny rubber bands and was able to work out something. I'll attach the photo.

Bill made progress this morning. Nina-Li was playing dolls and needed help and she turned to him for help. Which was great progress. So, Bill got to play dolls with her (and loved it!) for 15 minutes or so.

Today we walk the boardwalk which leads to a park and a carnival/amusement park. We are staying here. We've decided to try to avoid car rides except for necessary appointments, which I think we only have on Friday. Then Saturday, very early, we fly to Guangzhou for our last stop.

I am receiving your facebook posts via my email and email messages. Thank you for all the encouragement, it is greatly needed.

Love to you all!