March 6, Botanical Gardens

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23

Look at this absolutely beautiful boy. April took this picture Thursday morning just before we left for the day, as he was preparing to throw a toy.

Kambry, always happy, always singing.

On our way to the Botanical Gardens, in the Ugli Snugli ~ and likin' it!

Taking a bottle break as Rebecca gives us more interesting information. We just love her. She jokingly says of us, "one family, so much trouble." (I think it's a joke :) The 12 Zodiac animals, 2008 being the year of the rat/mouse


The garden has an awesome elevator system!


As you can see, we enjoyed the beautiful gardens today. It was nearly 80 degrees, but we loved it. Both kids have a rash on their trunk, upper back and arms. It looks like heat rash to me, but Rebecca took us to the White Swan Clinic after our tour, and I'm not really sure what they were diagnosed with, but we came home with $40 worth of creams and medication. I gave them Benadryl and used the cream on their rash last night, but they are still broke out. Hmmm. Honestly, some of the other meds I'm afraid to give them. We'll wait and see.

Our day began with the usual breakfast and rushing around to pack the diaper bag:

4 diapers

wipes

2 travel bottles

thermos of hot water

various snacks

camera

cash

more wipes

and we were finally out the door! The Botanical Gardens were beautiful and allowed us to get fresh air and exercise. We had an audience throughout the garden, and most people were so friendly, trying to speak to the children. Kambry just waves hello and bye to everyone. We fed the Koi in the pond, and she really enjoyed that.

Afterward, Rebecca took us to a local noodle restaurant where we could watch them prepare the noodles. She ordered shrimp wonton, beef/mushroom noodle, and pork noodles for us. And Kaeleb had the best-tasting congee I've ever tasted (yes, I had to see how hot it was.) It was delicious and was 80 yuan (just over $10) for all of us.

We then came back to the hotel and went to the clinic, then just relaxed in the room. No shopping Thursday!

Today (Friday) we are going to a large shopping center for April to make a very special purchase, then spa, then shopping. Rebecca told Clayton we need him ... to pay for my spa, watch the kids and carry my purchases!

I am happy to report Kaeleb did not cry a single time we got in the vehicle yesterday. As for the high chair, we're working on it. I had his oatmeal ready to eat, then placed him in the chair, and he cried until Daddy distracted him with a sugar packet. He then sat and ate all his breakfast. He ate his lunch in the Snugli, and supper on my lap because he wouldn't stop crying in the high chair. Bedtime was the same, he cried when I laid him in the crib, so he slept with us.

We saw him open up a little more. As he was playing, he would suddenly let out this little squeal, and when we immitated him, he'd do it again, and smile so big. He actually put his hands on my face today! He feeds me crackers, which is an excellent bonding technic (I don't mind mushy crackers)!

I think all or most adoptive parents ask themselves, "When will I know that he knows I love him?" I asked myself that with the girls, and now it's the same with Kaeleb. As his mother, I just want him to be content and dependent upon me. When he begins to rock himself or cry, I just want to run to the corner, cry my eyes out and come back when he's happy. But God is giving me the hope and strength to see him through these difficult moments. I know they will become less frequent, but the pain I feel for him is unbearable. Is that a Mommy's love? I don't know for sure, but I want us both to heal, and quickly.

Tomorrow we will visit the orphanage, and this will be the first time Clayton and I have been allowed to visit our children's SWI. We have heard most of the time the nannies are so happy to see the children with their parents, and they rush over to grab them and the children cry for Mommy and Daddy. I think I fear that he will actually find the orphanage a place of refuge. That is something we will take to the Father.

I hope you enjoy the beautiful pictures from today, and may you be blessed!

Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb ...