Guilin July 29

More baby steps... we left Nanning at 6:30am -ugh- too early and Maylynn is not an early riser!  When she is tired everything is much worse:(  She did great on the plane though - Lance sat at the window, then her seat (which was empty b/c she was on his lap the whole time) and then me across the aisle and David (our guide).  It was a really quick flight - she was happier on the plane than in the airport etc...  she colored with me and fed me some crackers:)  She fell asleep on the way to the hotel in Guilin and when she woke up -she was CRABBY.  Our room was not ready yet - so we decided to go eat at the hotel restaurant but Maylynn apparantly didn't want that - she cried unconsolably.  So, we went up to the room and nicely asked the cleaning lady to hurry:)  By this time - Lance had had it! We had talked earlier about maybe in a few days for him to just leave and her to have to put up with me:)  Well, this time was now!  Since she was already upset about something -we decided why not now:) The cleaning lady was a little concerned and wanted to hold Maylynn - i told her no and asked her to leave - nicely:)  She had a great crying fit - nothing that i'm not used to with dealing with at work at CBC;)  I wouldn't put her down and just held her and told her that i loved her (in chinese) and that i was her mama (pointing to me) I tried the soothing Chinese phrases and then when she kept carrying on - i just told her no (bu)  She finally gave up - we layed down ont he bed together and watched some cartoons - i continued to keep my hands on her - rubbing her back or her hair:) she didn't want me to but when she tried to take my hands off - i just told her no and she stopped... Lance ended up calling after it was quiet for awhile - i told him to go get some lunch and we were fine.  Then i remembered about the "Learn to sing and dance with Mei Mei" - LOVE that video - big hit!!! (Hayleigh loves it at home too) We layed on the bed and watched it - it was so sweet to see her eyes light up to songs that she new - she kind of sang a few words with a bit of a smile - she even did some hand motions to twinkle little star:) very precious!  Then Lance came back and she was back in his arms - things were a little better than before... We all went down for lunch - we were able to get her to turn from L.and face the table to eat her noodles!  After lunch we were hoping to walk around Guilin - but it started to rain! big bummer - we were stuck in the hotel - BLAH!!!!  But Maylynn (aka Shui Shui) needed a nap - she's been napping now for about an hour - i am pr-ying that she is happier when she wakes...

 

Cont'd... Luckily after her nap, the rain had stopped and the sun was out - YEAH!!! So, we strapped up maylynn in the Hip hammock and off we went.  We are staying at the  Guilin Bravo Hotel and out our window is a beautiful lake and park.  We took off exploring the different pathways - beautiful area with bridges etc... (i'll try to post some pics on the shutterfly site) We were scheduled to meet David at 5pm.  We did and walked to the city center - David was able to get Maylynn to walk too!  She was so cute - we could see some of her personality coming out - swinging her arms etc... Lance was in 7th heaven not having to hold her!  We did some shopping and got a few things that represented her area... a love ball, a book of Guilin, and a chop with her name.  Maylynn also did some shopping - she's a good shopper!  she got a bracelet for 1 yuan! unfortunately, it broke on the way home:(  For dinner - you'll never guess where we ate!!! yep! McD's - ugh - Lance does not want any chinese food so we've been eating there more than we eat it at home!  Maylynn loves the ketchup - she ate a few fries too!  After dinner we headed back to the hotel in a taxi.  This is our second time in a Taxi - we've never been in a taxi before and now 2 times in China - my last trip here in NOv. i got to ride in the subway - i guess China is the place for new experiences! :) Anyway, i was able to get some smiles out of Maylynn and captured it on camera too! *The picture above is that smile! * Our taxi was only 9 yuan = $1.50ish - well worth the ride!  We said our goodbyes to David for the day - which was upsetting to Maylynn - it seems she is a bit attached to David - we are not surprised though, she can communicate with him etc... it's only a few more days and her world will be rocked again... since she was upset - we decided to go ahead and give her bath together (mostly me though) - we didn't get her out though until she stopped crying - even though it was only about 15 seconds of not crying, she did it and i got her out and her dressed - she did okay - we settled down to watch some tv - i sat next to L.and M. and held L. hand - she didn't like it but we did our usual - "guai guai = calm down/it's okay", "bu=no", "wo ai ni = i love you" and "hun hao = very good".  She seems to listen very well - and did calm down.  It seems that our "Daddy going out to lunch by himself intervention" helped a little bit.  I'm sure tomorrow will be really upsetting to her and we will just let her cry it out - that last thing we heard is that the foster mom will not be there - she is much too upset still - i can understand and am willing to let what happens - happen:)  We meet David at 9:30am to leave for the orphanage - so at 6:30pm please - start pr-ying for little Maylynn (aka. Shuishui:))