Ready for Home :)

Two things I am tired of  1. This cold- I am sooo tired of being sick!! and 2. Caring for an active new 2 year old in a hotel.  Tonight I started singing (to the tune of I have had enough of army life) "Oh I have had enough of hotel life- gee ma I want to go home."  The kids loved it so we sang it again and again- haha. We are definitely feeling like its time to go home and be back on our own home turf.  It will be one more transition for Ava but at least finally she can stay put for awhile. On Thursday we have our consulate appointment to get her US immigrant visa put into her passport and then that is the final step!  The last couple days have been nice in that there haven't been any appointments- just free days for us.  We have hung around the hotel a lot (mainly because I have been sick) but also just trying to take it slow.  Ava is becoming more and more active! She loves to go outside, laugh and play and definitely lets us know when something isn't going her way. :) Its cute to see how much she is imitating us.  She learned "thumbs up" the other night and it was a hoot to see her put lotion on her body like her siblings.  She also has developed what we call the "stink face" which is if she doesn't like something she sticks her lips out and glares at you.  I will try to get that on camera. Here are some pics from the last couple days.

Visiting Ava's orphanage

Playing on the floor in our room

A random store we found - we though it would be cute to take this pic since this was Ava's nickname at the orphanage. Of course her eyes don't look that big in this picture.  This is something people continue to comment on. In fact, Dennis overhead a Chinese man telling his son "See, foreigners kids have big eyes and curly hair like that little girl- (pointing to Ava!)"'

Ava loves to take the toothbrush and "brush" her teeth while her siblings do it too.

Yesterday after feeling yucky all day from this cold we decided we needed and afternoon pick me up- so we headed to Mc Donalds for some ice cream.  I think it was Ava's first ice cream. It was funny she was very tentative- I think she liked the sweet but the cold was disarming. She did eat it but ate is very slowly. I'm sure we horrified some Chinese families by having our kids eat ice cream in the winter.

Many of the other adoptive families here have their girls dressed in sweet little dresses with big bows in their hair.  We have just gone for the the simple sweat pants and tops, well because its all I can handle right now. :) I tried to put a bow in Ava's hair today like Addie- I managed to snap a quick pic before it was pulled out- oh well- maybe later.

I realized that I don't think I have taken a photo with the 3 siblings- its hard to get them all still- well mostly one is hard to stay still- this was my best attempt. :)