March 31, 2005 Hi Everyone! It is Thursday night here, and we have been on this trip for 7 whole days. We are all ready for a change of scenery. We are kind of trapped in this hotel because of where it is located. Our Chinese guides take us out once a day for a few hours on a small bus, but other then that, we are stuck in the hotel, which is fine most of the time, but it is starting to get old. I think our whole group is ready to move on to the next location and finalize this adoption process. Well, today we visited the orphanage here in Nanchang. This is not the orphanage that our children came from but one similar. We got to go inside and see it very well. The older children were very friendly and seemed to enjoy us being there. We were able to take pictures of the older ones (special needs children), but not the babies. It was truly a heart-wrenching experience. I became very sad and then angry at a government that would develop a system where people would be forced to abandon their children. These children were sweet and caring, like most children, but have been left without families, in most cases, not because they were unwanted, but because of a political problem. I left there with a very unusual mix of feelings. Heidi could not go in to see the babies and only peeked through the window, started crying, and then left. You can see a few pictures of the orphanage in the photos we posted today. There is a plaque at the entryway of the orphanage thanking the American families who have allowed the orphanage to build certain areas. From the orphanage we went to a park. Lori wanted to have Lily blessed by a Taoist priest. We did not attend the ceremony, but explored the beautiful park. This was the first nice day we have had in China – the weather was warm and with no rain. The sun was shining and the sky was hazy once again with pollution. The pollution here is truly unbelievable. Chinese people must have significant respiratory problems. We enjoyed the Chinese park, and the babies seemed to have a good time too. Thank goodness for the stroller we bought yesterday! And even better that Leah loves riding around in it!! Our arms and backs are also very thankful. Carrying around a 20lb baby is a lot of work after a short period of time. Lori sprang for pizza for us after their blessing at a local Pizza Hut. This was the fanciest Pizza Hut we have ever been in and far surpassed any Pizza Hut in the States. The pizza was good and much appreciated. After Pizza Hut, we came back to the hotel and let the babies take their naps, as well as several of the parents. Tomorrow we are off to the Police Station to pick up the kids Chinese passports. We will then head to a Chinese village. On Saturday morning we are off to Guangzhou. As I said earlier, it will be really nice to experience a change of scenery and be in a hotel where we can get out and stroll around. Everyday, Leah's personality starts to shine through. She called me dada today, and when I said it back to her, she laughed and giggled. It is still hard to believe that she is ours, and I'm not exactly sure when it will all sink in. She is the most precious thing we have ever seen. Baby Kasen went for her last hospital visit today (hopefully) and got another dose of antibiotics, but she did not need the IV this time. She looks like she feels much better, and we have posted a picture of her eating down at the dinner table. Leah still hates getting in/out of her clothes and taking a bath. She will scream bloody murder through both tasks. She sleeps well in her crib and gets up only once in the middle of the night. She and Eden both have a croupy sounding cough and a clear, runny nose. I wouldn't be surprised if the pollution had something to do with it. They are both taking Tylenol Cold. Well it is time for bed. Talk to you tomorrow! Love, Rich   Chinese Girls Oohing Isabella     Heidi and Baby Leah   I am all alone on the rock.     Kids at the Orphanage     Leah in Stroller Ready for the Park       This page hosted by