Another Day in Rainy Guangzhou

Our 2 little girls gazing out our hotel window. We are on the 13th floor so there is a great view of Guangzhou from way up high!

Dressed in their red, white, and blue outfits! These are actually both hand-me-downs from friends. Thanks to Sharon for Lilly's outfit and thanks to Beth for Ellie's dress.

During Lilly's adoption trip, she was sick from day 3 of Gotcha Day until we got home and was hospitalized for most of our trip thus we saw and did very little. Our days and nights consisted of switching off with each other at the hospitals. We are really enjoying be able to see and do all the things we missed the first time around like eating at Lucy's. This is a tradition for many adopting families. The food was very good! I had cheese quesadillas, Fulton had chicken strips and fries, and David had a burger. The little girls had tasty fried rice with veggies.

Fulton wasn't feeling well this morning so Lilly and Ellie were checking to make sure he was ok. He has a low grade fever and a stufy nose. Lilly now has a runny nose. We'll likely all be good and sick with a cold by the time we get home so we can share it with Shelby, Katie, and Ethan. Hopefully not, but I can see it coming!

2 cutie pies watching a movie after breakfast. They are doing well together most of the time!

This was our Lilly last May during her hospitalization in Guangzhou. This is when we first met Nikki, the most amazing guide! She went above and beyond the call of her job to help us in any and every way she could. The above picture is how Nikki last saw Lilly- a very small, frail, and sick little 19 month old.

This is our Lilly today with Nikki! What a difference 16 months, heart surgery, and a loving family made in the life of this precious child. We have kept in touch with Nikki over the last 16 months and finally met up with her at breakfast on Tuesday morning. She is with another adopting family who is also staying at the Holiday Inn. We had told her when we would get in town. She recognized David and walked over to our table. Of course Lilly does not remember her, but Nikki certainly remembers Lilly and how very sick she was. She showed me the pictures of Lilly from the hospital that she still has in her cell phone. Nikki simply couldn't believe how much Lilly had grown and how healthy she was. She shared with us that after we left last year, she was really sad because she missed coming to the hospital to spend the days and evenings with us. We missed her too. She is a special person!

A picture from our trip in May 2007 when we adopted Lilly. Here was Nikki with Shelby and Katie.

Shelby, Katie, and Ethan- we miss you. Only 2 more days and we will be home! Big thank yous to Granny, Mimi, Gabby, and Bobby for helping to care for the 3 we left behind. Also, thanks to Sheri for covering the first week and to Marybeth and family, the Waters family, and Bethany for pitching in too. We are so thankful for all of you!!! Miss you all!