On Our Own In the City

So today was our 'free day' (per our guide).  Although, quite honestly, everyday has been 'on our own' for the most part- so nothing too new about today.

I did get some sleep.  And we did have crying again at night.  She cries everytime she has to go to bed- either for night or for nap.  It's real crying.  I'm not sure if it's grief, fear, something we're missing in a routine- or all three.   It's an angry cry.  She won't let me comfort her- she pushes me away if I try to touch her.  She pulls her legs up & slams them down.  And she hits her own leg.  Eventually she does settle herself down & then she will let me rub her back or cheek again...and will go to sleep- and sleep pretty good.  

There is much fear I think still in her.  She clings to me & Kurt.  She will not walk on her own next to us, use a stroller or use a carrier.  This is tough on some arms, my friends. :) It will mostly likely dictate the rest of our time here as not being able to do much outside the hotel.   Which means, it's likey to be a looong rest of the time here- because frankly, I'm a little sick of this hotel room already. 

When we are out, however, and she's in our arms.  She's ok.  She loves going up and down things (in our arms) - either up stairs or escalators.   She gets a little scared getting into cars, but after she's in and the car goes- she laughs. 

This morning we discovered that while she's learning how to play with the most basic toys- the girl can fold some laundry.   Sad really.... if you saw how perfectly she folded these towels, lining up edges & making sure it was wrinkle free.....  yet, she's learning to play with a ball.

I have heard that this is common coming out of this orphanage as well.

Our hotel breakfast stinks.  Seriously- stinks.  Spaghetti.  Toast.  or unknown to us Chinese vegtables.  No drinks.  No tea.  Have I told you- it stinks.  We think the one you pay for is better & we might just suck it up and go to that from now on.  I swear I smelled French Toast.

Food is the other VERY big issue with Meifang.  IF she sees, it she MUST have it & she will eat it all on her plate.  This posed a very big problem at our Pizza Hut dinner (sit down).  She saw other people's food and wanted it & didnt understand why she couldn't have it..and why we were waiting.  When we restrained her from getting other's food- we saw the same behavior at bed- the rocking, crying, refusing my touch & hitting herself.   I had to take her outside while we waited and still cried and cried and pointed back in & said Chur & other things which was probably I want to eat....

Once we went back in we were happy as clams with our food. :)

So what did we do today.  Well our tired arms tell us we did something.  

That something was to hunt down a Walmart in hopes of finding a stroller under $80 & a baby carrier.  Finding a Walmart is harder than you think.  It required the internet, the front desk & a few phone calls. 

But finally- we had this.....

Walmart address.  See the scratched off black ink?  That was my attempt to write Walmart in Chinese from the internet before I gave up and took it downstairs.

The receptionist laughed and said "you were trying to write Walmart in Chinese?" I said yes.. he said, I could tell............ :) Guess it wasn't so bad and I could have left it...

And so we began our brave journey in a cab to Walmart.

Waiting outside our hotel for a taxi-  the scene that greets us each day.

Meifang and Daddy waiting.

20 mintues later- and about 15 attempts on my life with near hit accidents (I swear- the Chinese driving- it's enough to drive you completely gray!!)

Walmart!!!!

We found all we wanted & for the same price as the ONE stroller our guide tried to get us yesterday- we scored a stroller, a carrier, water, more milk & all these goodies:

Course the stroller and carrier are still a bust.  The carrier is pretty retarded & I don't think is made very well.  And it took some serious studying of the picture to try to set it up since I couldn't read the Chinese instructions.   Oh well.  That's a no go.

After several taxi's refused to take us back (it was pretty far)- we did make it.  Back to the hotel for naps. 

No me again... but the other two!

After naps, we decided to brave the taxi's again to Bei'Hai Park.  I heard it was pretty.

But.  Our arms were tired.  It was hot and humid.  It started raining.  And it was crowded.  So........ not as all great as I thought it would be...

Still here's some pictures.......

We sat down for awhile to give our arms a rest.....and Meifang posed for some pictures...

Checking something out.....

Feeling the rain on her face and arm...

We left after about an hour & got a cab (took awhile) back to the hotel.

The cab driver tried to talk to Meifang.  She yelled at him NO! She didn't want him! 

Then we walked to Pizza Hut where that disaster happened.

And then a bath- which had no crying involved today.  It was quite amazing to watch her learn that she could play in the bathrub.  I watched her watch her hand skim through the water.  And feel the water drip between her hands.  I listened to her laugh as she splashed so hard it hit her face.  (I also watched as she attempted to fold the wash cloth a few times & as she continued to wash herself over and over).   But mostly, I watched her enjoy a bath.  Like a little girl should.  That was my smile for today.

Oh, that and the TWO hugs and ONE kiss she initiated to me today.  Melt a momma's heart!

It is getting that time for bed again.  Not my favorite time.  It hurts me to hear her grieve so much.  And I don't sleep well anyways.  So night kinda stinks.

OH well.  Another day that we survived in Beijing (yes, I think all three of us are in survival mode here!)

Sweet dreams (or should I say good morning to you all?)