Piggies!

Our girl is changing. She is growing enough hair for some short pig tails! She loves them! She is changing in other ways too. She has grown quite demanding and persistent. Slowly we are teaching her that no means no and repeatedly demanding something won't make it happen. She is learning to ask nicely for things also. It's funny when I think back to being in China and she never expressed her desires. That changed quickly after we got home. But that's a good thing. I'm so glad, no thankful that she feels safe and comfortable with us. We even went on a trip and visited one of her buddies from the orphanage, and she did great the whole time. She was never fearful but she was pretty demanding about drinks, probably because we were trying to limit her so we could limit the pit stops. She will relentlessly ask for things when we tell her no. She doesn't throw fits though, and if we stand her in the corner she will stop and then we can move on. We are curious about her fascination with her drink, if it means something else or is just a means if control. I think it is a new luxury to her that she is afraid of losing, but that's just a guess. She is learning though and is saying so much in English. She's a bright little thing. And she is very generous with her hugs and kisses which makes her irresistible.

My Fancy Girls

It was time to get ready for a birthday party, so we had to do the hair. Jada is a little short on hair, so we just have to add some flair.

Becoming a Gilkeson

Our girl Jada is adjusting so well. There are tough moments, but they are few. She is the bravest little girl I've ever met! Even the older kids are doing great with adding a sibling. We feel so blessed and are so thankful.

Practically twins!

Still. so. ornery.

Entertainment during the sermon: adorning one's self with stickers

Ge Ge Grant and Jada

Ready for a Nerf War!

Eating ice cream with chop sticks

Merry Christmas!

Everyone has watermelon for Christmas breakfast, right?!

Inside our hotel

The Christian Church we attended on Shamian Island

Merry Christmas from China!



Christmas Eve

We had the medical check on Shamian Island today.  Jada was a trooper.  She is a brave little girl.  She went through it all without a tear.  She smiled and giggled even.  She didn't even cry when they injected her for the TB test. 

For supper we had Papa John's pizza with a bunch of new friends in their hotel room!  I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures of that!  We have been blessed by the support and encouragement of the others around us.  Not to mention we love getting to know the other kids!

Dec 23rd On to Guangzhou

We left Hangzhou and flew into Guangzhou.  The trip went smoothly...amazingly well now that I think of it.  Thank you God!

Dec 22nd Water Town and Dragon Well Tea

We draw quite a bit of attention with our little pink girl.  Little old Chinese ladies have fussed over whether she's dressed warm enough, pulling on her pants and looking to see if she has more layers.  Why oh why didn't I bring her snow bibs?!

This is a very old town outside of Hangzhou, which they regard as the Venice of China.  This was a great tour and we even got a boat ride.

Dragon Well Green Tea Farm

We were welcomed into a farmer's home and given some green tea to try.  It was very interesting and the tea was okay...but I was more impressed by the jasmine tea served by Mr. Wang in Beijing.

Another adoptive mom with us who drinks a lot of green tea loved it.  So if you like green tea, it's the first picking of Dragon Well Tea that you want!

By this time I was just praying we could get Jada home to the hotel without her getting carsick again!