Last Couple Days

The last 2 days have been a bit tiring.  We started with a visit to Ava's orphanage on Friday morning.  It was good to visit and learn as much as we could about the last 2 1/2 years of her life.  We learned that her nickname at the orphanage was "big eyes" :) (meant affectionately) and that the foster family she was with for 2 months actually spoke a different dialect (so she now has heard 4 different languages/dialects)- we dont know what she is saying and the orphanage staff didn't know either.  However when we speak Mandarin to her she does seem to respond to simple commands.  We really call her Ping Ping and haven't started much yet calling her Ava. We also learned that she really just started to walk a couple months ago.  She had heart surgery a year ago and so was prob in bed a lot after that.  We also learned that the orphanage has care over about a 1000 children.  Many of which they told us are in foster care.

After the orphanage visit we got back into the Guangzhou traffic (it really is awful most of the day)- they say they add 5000 new cars to the road each week here! We headed across town to see the "finding place" for Ava.  We wanted to go and take pictures so we can help fill in her story for her later.  As we were walking down the street to the spot something very odd happened.  A woman (who we think was maybe a little crazy) approached Dennis from behind and rammed into him very hard.  It made Dennis jump and almost fall down (he was carrying Addie). At first we thought it was an attempted pick pocketing but he hadn't lost anything.  We saw the woman walk back by and pass us again glaring at us.  A few minutes later she returned with 2 small bags of trash and came up and threw them at me (they landed on my feet) and then walked off. Perhaps she was afraid of foreigners or had a bad experience before with one?  We really don't know. We hurried along with our guide as we checked to see if she would come back because at this point we were a little nervous.  She never returned and after visiting the spot we hopped back in the van and into traffic.  It was definitely one of the oddest things that has happened to us ever in China and left our kids with lots of questions about this experience.

Then today we had the medical exam.  A medical exam is required before we can get a US immigrant visa in her Chinese passport to return to the US.  We had done this with Addie in Shanghai but that was by ourselves.  Today we went with a big group of families and flooded into the 5 th floor of the medical clinic.  More and more families kept coming with their kids making it crowded and lots of waiting (esp for an active 2 year old that wanted to get down and play).  However, despite the crowds it was amazing and quite moving to see so many children of all ages and special needs with their forever families.  A beautiful picture despite being in a crowded medical facility.  After height, weight, checks, ENT check, general exam, and a blood draw (all took about 2 hours) our active Ping Ping was done (and this mama was about done too!)  Even after a long nap she just was still a little off from the day. We went out to pizza and discovered that Ava does not like pizza (at least not yet) so we went home put her in the bath (figured she needed to end on a positive note- she loves baths) and fed her friend rice and green beans (she ate it all) while the big kids drank bubble teas and watched a chinese cartoon. phew what a day!

All in all very busy and tiring days but Ava continues to feel more comfortable (even pitching a few more fits- I think its a good sign- a healthy 2 year old :)).  We need prayers for patience grace and good health (I am battling a cold).  The next few days should be less busy.  Will and Addie have done a GREAT job because there has been lots and lots of waiting and going to appointments- we are so proud of them.  

That's a long update I know- but wanted to fill you in on a few more details.  WE are really looking forward to coming home and introducing you to Ping Ping!