MY BLOSSOMING BUTTERFLY!!!

Today is our last full day in Nanchang. We visited the Tenweng Pavilion which was absolutely beautiful but I haven't been able to download my pictures yet. Yesterday we went to the People's Park and to Walmart (Warmar as they call it here). Its a basic Walmart, NOT, 4 stories high with escalators to each floor and very, very busy. The People's park was so tranquil you would never guess it was in the middle of a large city with thousands of people. Many of the women young and old loved coming up to the babies and talking with us. They practiced their english and we our mandarin. Our guide Marsha said, the majority of people in China are grateful for people adopting their children but they also have great shame in it that they cannot care for their own children. As we walk through the streets and areas of Nanchang Fred and I wonder how many women we have passed who have at sometime in their life abandoned a child. We wonder if they look at our group and hope that their biological child was able to be adopted and have a better life with a family somewhere in the world.
We are so grateful to have Elly (Elysa) in our lives, our dream has finally come true and its much better than I could ever have imagined. She is such a sweetheart!!! Every day Elly's personality is emerging. She is a very active little girl and loves to be around people, she has not fussed or cried unless its due to a nap time or meal time. She is about 16 pounds and is wearing 6-9 month clothing right now. The 12 month clothing is large on her. Some how I have to figure out how to put a ponytail in her beautiful, fine, silky black, hair but for now I am using hairbands as they at least help to keep her hair out of her face. She has a large cowlick in the back of her head and she as a natural hairstyle. A natural part to the right and the cowlick makes her look like she has a bouffant. She sits up well but does occasionally wobble a little. She is not able to completely roll over yet. As the picture shows she got stuck the first time and needed help with getting her arm out. She has very strong legs and arms though so I know she will catch up fast.





PEOPLE'S PARK OUTING


ALL THE WOMEN LOVED TO TALK W/US AND LOOK AT THE BABIES



MY LITTLE ANGEL


NOW WHAT??


MAMA AND ELYSA FIRST SELF PORTRAIT


BABA AND ELYSA AT WALMART