Baby Steps......

Meili doesn't like to get up before it's time...which isn't bad unless you have a schedule. Once she is up she does OK especially if we are going to eat. She sure loves to sit in her princess chair and show off how well she can feed herself. No help from her dad is the motto. She is quite enjoying fried eggs, fried rice, watermelon, orange juice and definitely doesn't want toast with jam (my favorite). After a wonderful time at breakfast we went with our guide Sarah to a natural history museum here in Taiyuan. I really enjoyed it. Meili had fun running around and being held by her mamma. Julie got dirty white shorts from shoes and tired arms and back. I tried really hard to help but still need more time for her to allow me the opportunity to carry her. We enjoyed the museum and appreciated Sarah spending time explaining the history behind some of the artifacts and dynasties.

We were able to skype with Josh and Abi this afternoon. Meili seems to enjoy getting to know her siblings. Abi's face has a grin from ear to ear while she watches Meili. Josh plays peak-a-boo with her. Meili seems quite amused with the show. Technology is making this trip and time away from the family bearable.
After a long nap we walked to McDonald's, crossing many intersections along the mile or so stretch. It is very amusing watching people and there quizzical expressions. The intersections are far from amusing. Who ever has the biggest bark and bite has the right of way here. Traffic signals are merely suggestions for most drivers. You have to be on the look out for cars of course but also the bikes/mopeds coming and going right along side you on the side walk area. For the most part everyone co-exists without trouble....if you hear a horn don't turn and see what is coming and ask yourself why are you honking at me...it may be too late, so just quickly get out of the way. The louder the horn the faster you move. I hope to have footage to support this. But thus far I haven't been quick enough on the draw to capture the moment. I'm still gun shy when I hear the horn. I also don't want to look like one of those tourists, you know, the one with the camera out ready to capture it all. Meili doesn't seem amused or affected by any of what is going on around us while we walk. She is a great little trooper.
Some special moments for me today were brief but promising. Instead of getting the look from her "who do you think you are!" she actually smiled with her eyes a lot today....for many small, very brief snippets....but I will cherish them all. At breakfast she had a few glances of "hey I kind of like you....no, not really, but I like the service!". It was worth the sweat and no pay serving her breakfast. I will do it forever if I can :). After dinner on our adventure through the traffic jungle we were stopped by two men with video recording equipment. They had a sign in Chinese (like I could read it) explaining what they were doing and what television channel they were from (so they said). Like a stupid foreigner I stopped and started listening to them. Meili had had enough walking and waiting. She started pulling on her mamma's hand and chattering away in her cutest and mad voice. Julie looked at her and said, "go tell daddy". As I was intently listening to the men and envisioning my grand moment on Chinese television looking like Tom Cruise I saw out of the corner of my eye a little person running up to me and grabbing my leg. Didn't quite make out what she said but understood what she wanted. So I swept her up in my arms and left my big chance of Chinese stardom without another word. Once Meili got us moving again she quickly wanted out of my arms. But it was a sweet few moments of contact with her. She is so stinking smart and understands a lot. She also has a strong will which will be needed in our household.
All in all it was a very fun day with some really cute company. You would have laughed if you could have seen Julie's white shorts...black now, thanks to some really cute shoes on a very active 3 year old. Oh yeah, Julie also is apparently not trustworthy with ketchup at McDonald's either. She is a good aim....should've left the white shorts home. Woolite!!!
We ended our day and started Jared and Gina's day with skype conversations. Meili was really shy but showed off her toes to the family. She is becoming more amusing day by day. Her personality is shining through. We love it! Can't wait for what tomorrow will bring. She is so sweet. We love her! And the rest of you. Good night everyone.