A trip to the zoo and hotel fun

Today, our group went to the Hefei Zoo. The bus ride was about 25 minutes and all the kids love the bus. We used strollers that the hotel supplied us with and the stroller is a HUGE hit with Fu Mei. Any bump or ripple in the pavement brings squeals of delight. So Garrett and Julee made sure they hit lots of bumps! I have to tell you, the zoo was less than spectacular. It is so gray and damp, and the animals look sorta the same! But it was really great to be out and about with the group doing a semi-normal activity. We spent about an hour and a half there and saw a few interesting species that we had never seen. The highlight was the small, cute Red Panda and the beautiful Giant Panda. I spoke with a Chinese man and he taught me "Shung Ma" and I taught him "Panda."

We headed back to the hotel for lunch and an attempt to Skype with Al but was unsuccessful. One parent from each family was needed for massive paperwork in the afternoon, so I attempted to get Fu Mei down for an after lunch nap, but I failed! She was in such a good mood that she must not have felt the need for a nap! She just stayed in her crib and smiled and played quietly. Trish looked after her while I went to Michelle's room to do the paperwork needed for Guangzhou at the US Consulate. Garrett and Julee worked on their homework assignments and reading. An hour and a half later, she still had not napped.

We took her out of the crib and showed her a drawer full of toys and games I brought for her. She has had a blast with all of them for hours now. Right now, she is playing with G and J and the Barrel Full o Monkeys! Tricia taught her Patty Cake today. Julee burped and that made her laugh so Tricia and Julee had a LARGE, disgusting burp session that had Fu Mei belly laughing. I have it on video, it is hilarious!

Oh and I have to report a major milestone! Last night, we finally got her out of her 6 layers of clothes and bathed her. She did not like it at all but allowed me to do it (sounds like Philly). I got her in some pj's and brushed her hair. She is so precious. She is making huge advances, more than I thought possible in three days and we are so thankful. She is still so sad and lonely at times, mostly when going to sleep...but sometimes when it just comes over her. She gets a pensive look and her eyes well up with tears. We just let her have her moment and comfort her as best we can.

Finally, we see her with her hair down!