Thoughts From Nanchang

I wrote a long post out last night and when I hit the send button, my internet connection was lost. There is no getting to blogger from here. It seems to be completely blocked from every server I try, so I'm forwarding it all to the back up blogging crew and have no idea what they are actually posting....as long as they don't hijack my blog and pimp it up, we're golden!

(Hey you can trust us T. ;)
We're saving the unicorns and ladybugs for the grand finale.
Signed... a mystery blogger. LOL!)

*We arrived at the hotel at 3:15 on Sunday and the Shangrao babies were already here. I didn't have time to think. We barely got the gifts thrown together before we were running back downstairs to meet our girl. In my mind, I remember somebody totally different bringing me my girl. It was only in the video review that I saw that indeed it was Eme's foster parents that made the long journey in to the city to bring her to me. I'm so sad I missed the opportunity to talk with them and thank them for loving my girl till we arrived. I really wanted them to know how loved she is. I would have liked their photo. I just didn't know. It was a whole messed up beautiful scene going on around me and the only thing I could see was my daughter. The room went blank and that was our moment, only ours. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Also in the review of tapes, they gave me a a silver bracelet with balls as a parting gift to Emerson. I know some of you have bought them but I have no idea what the meaning behind this is though. I know they shaved the back of her head to wish her a long life. I guess that goes back to a tradition through the ages. As crazy as it looks on her, I find it very sweet of the foster family. Her hair will grow in no time.

*We met with a nanny from the orphanage yesterday and my head was a tad more clear. I was able to ask several questions and rec'd the word that indeed my girl stayed with her foster family until they brought her to me, which is conflicting from what I was told 2 weeks ago and that was wonderful to hear. She only spent the first 3 months in the orphanage where she went to live with an older couple. Her neighbor was foster parents to another baby in our group and they were neighbors and played together. The other foster family had siblings and grandparents and I guess Ems spent some time with them as well. The 2 babies don't seem to connect though when we put them together.

*Nobody in this city can drive. It is the craziest thing we've ever seen. Nobody pays attention to the road lines or signs. They told us we could take a cab anywhere we want, just close your eyes and hang on and they'll get you there. We haven't tempted fate yet. Driving is a big game of chicken to them and they honk all.the.time.

*My sweet girl has a very sweet disposition and she's very funny as well. She does love for you to play with her and she will be ready with a smile. She likes attention and we are her audience. She is very happy.

*She loves the Ergo and I refuse to use the stroller. We used it once to shove to the grocery store to carry our goods back in, but Ems stayed close to me. She spends most of the time staring up at me and I wouldn't trade those moments for nothing. She stares at me and I kiss her little head and then she'll lay her head back down on my chest.

*I hold the back of her head close when going through people or stores. The Chinese people are very curious as to why I have her and I feel like yelling, "she's mine, you had your chance back off."

*Speaking of people, they are everywhere and they don't give a hoot about personal space. I about had an anxiety attack in the elevator when we were coming down from the 26th floor of the "Pay the Piper" building and it stopped at every floor for more people to get in. I was in the back and the tears started rolling. I was having a full blown anxiety attack. Too many people in one small spot and it was beyond my emotional capability to handle another foot stepping in. J was fanning me and telling me it's okay, it's okay, we're almost there. Scared the crap out of me.

*As happy as Emerson is, she has moments of sadness that will wash over her. It seems to be if I get up. She needs me by her 100% of the time. She still will not go to J and he's doing his part well though. He makes her laugh and she loves to wave at him, but only when she's in my arms or I'm right beside her on the bed. She is really sweet.

*She has not cried once. We have no idea what she sounds like when she cries. I'm sure she'll be letting it all out soon, but when these moments of sadness wash over her, I simply pull her close and tell her I love her over and over in Chinese.

*She doesn't respond to her Chinese name, so I asked the nanny and they said that her foster family usually called her "baby" in Chinese.

*I had the funniest conversation of my life in the "Maxi Pad aisle" of the store...
Though I prepared myself for the monthly friend visit, I was thinking I would need some more Tampons. There are tons of maxi pads to choose from. So I was trying to explain to my guides that I wanted tampons, not maxi pads. They said to me, "These items are for the period, I think that's what you need." I pulled one out of my bag and showed it to the girls. They giggled like middle school boys would and then I explained that we have those in America as well, but we don't really use those. I found a box of OB's and said this is what I want! She asked me if those really work? I said yes, they were the bomb, gave a thumbs up and walked away. J and I laughed as we left 2 women standing in the maxi pad aisle reading the back of the OB box and giggling. Funny stuff I tell ya!