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

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Another day in Jinan....

Just wanted to quickly thank everyone for all the advice and prayers!! Keep em coming, especially the prayers!

Today was about the same, Olivia was very vocal on showing who she wanted to hold her.  In fact tonight when we were walking to dinner, Mike had put her in the stroller, she screamed for about 100 feet til Mike took her out, and she immediately stopped crying.  I laughed.  She has learned quickly how to get her way with her Daddy.  
Earlier today we walked around the market and she was in the buggy, when I went to push the buggy she started crying, of course the ladies next to me found this funny, because again as soon as she saw Mike she stopped.  After that we went back to the hotel and Mike wanted to run to Walmart to get a stroller because I forgot ours.  She cried for a good 30 min after he left then we sat in the floor and I showed her some markers and a coloring book and she colored for a long time and even talked to me a little.  It was so neat to watch her and see her come out of her shell a little.  Still no smiles, but the little bit of personality was what this Mama's heart needed.  I have a video, but I can't get it to upload right now.
Some things we've learned about Olivia:
-She is very smart! She understands everything!
-She has beautiful thick eyelashes
-She will hold something/anything in her hand and NOT let go.  
-She doesn't overeat or hoard food in her mouth.  In fact she will shake her head "No" often when offered food or drink.
-She is very observant.  She watches everything and everyone.
-She chews her food 50 times before swallowing.  She actually eats slower then Mike!
-She hates showers!
-She  has dark, almost black almond eyes.
-Her hair isn't as black as I thought it would be, it actually has a lot of brown in it.
-She loves chicken nuggets and fruit.
-She studies the different textures of things, she was rubbing the arm of a doll which was a soft fleece and then rubbing the hand, which was more satiny, so smart!

 We went to Baotu Spring Park today.  It has an ancient spring water fountain, the most famous of all the springs here in Jinan.  
We also got Olivia's passport!  We are now ready to go to Guangzhou on Friday!




 They have already started preparing for Chinese New Year, or AKA the Spring Festival here in China. This is as important to them as Christmas is to us.  Sylvia said during the week of the Spring Festival they rest and relax, eat lots of food, and spend time with extended family.


 The Springs









    I have been watching her look at him like this for 2 days now.  Isn't it just absolutely precious.  I was so happy to finally capture it in a picture.

   
   

7 comments:

  1. Glad today was a little better. One day at a time. Still praying and loving ya'll from across the globe:)

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  2. She is absolutely precious!!! Hopefully each day will get better and better!!!

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  3. So SWEET -- Katie - she WILL come to adore you! I know it's hard. Ally didn't smile till Thursday (at her orphanage visit). That's when she became a little manipulative! How old is Olivia? Is she 2 or 3? Ally was almost 2 when we got her. She very much preferred Sara and Lauren - to either of us! We finally had to have the big girls stay in their room one afternoon and make Ally stay with us! That helped. So maybe Mike can run a few more errands and leave you and O to play. She is just so cute and as you can imagine still so confused and scared. She's coping the only way she can and thank goodness she does like Mike! Imagine if she was resistant to BOTH of you and cried all of the time!!! Love your updates!

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  4. What great pictures! You can certainly tell she adores her daddy! What a precious picture to capture! I love the things you're learning about her, perhaps you wouldn't learn so much if she were clinging to you and not Mike. These are the important things we learn as our children grow from babies, you are having to learn these things quickly and not over time as you did with your other children. These will be the things you need to take care of her when you are back here doing day to day things and mike is at work.

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  5. Oh my, the picture of her looking at her daddy. So so precious! I am sorry it is taking her a little longer to bond with you. Just found your blog from RQ. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
    (Oh and btw- my daughter's hair is very light. It's lighter than my bio brunette daughter!)
    -sweetgirls on RQ

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  6. oh i loved hearing more specifics about her! so sweet. one day at a time!! you guys are already doing such a great job. it takes great patience!! (ha! more patience, even after you finally have her, i'm sure it feels like you are always waiting!). love hearing your daily updates!!

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  7. She is so so cute and head string it seems ;). Makes for a great little trooper!! This too shall pass my friend. This too shall pass....

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