Making wishes

After our Buddhist Blessing ceremony, we lit some incense and made some good wishes for our new family. Here is a photo of Regis, Yvette and baby Carys making their wishes.

A Way to Remember

Part of the complex of buildings that comprised the Buddhist Monastery included this room where Buddhists can be remembered after they have died. Similar to a mausoleum but without any remains, each person is represented by a yellow slip of paper with a photo. There are some that are marked with red tape, to signify a space saved for a loved one that is still living.

Dinner with Daddy

Kathryn has been taking bottles from Daddy and spent most of Jeff's last day here yesterday cuddling in his arms and riding in the hip carrier. They will probably have to get reaquainted again when she and I return on Sunday, but I don't think it will take too long.

Blessing

We visited a Buddhist Monastary and Temple yesterday, and climbed to the top of a 1400 year old pagoda (okay only Jeff and Kathryn went to the very top). All three of us were blessed by a Buddhist Monk in a short ceremony before the three giant copper buddhas. As usual, Kathryn slept through much of the important ceremony.

Getting Around

Yesterday Kathryn was ready to wander away from us, not only in the room, but in the hotel restaurant and hallways. She is a bit unsteady on her feet, but she is very proud of herself when she gets going. "Ah!" she will proclaim.

Power Naps

After her medical exams today, Kathryn took a three hour nap. While I put her down, Jeff took the job of working with Chris to get our papers in order for our Embassy appointment tomorrow. When he came back to the room, he was so wiped out, he crashed too. I couldn't leave the room and risk her waking to find me gone. Good thing I brought a book!

Medical Exam

Kathryn had her required medical exam today. Chris did a great job of getting us in early so we didn't have to wait, by the time we left there was a line of adoptive parents waiting to see the examiners. There are three stations that each family must visit with their child, in no particular order. For one, they looked at her skin and measured her head. In China, strangers scold you if your baby has even a tiny bit of leg exposed. Kathryn is tall for her body size, leaving her pants a bit short, so I have been putting tights on her any time we are going out. It made for a bit of a scramble getting her undressed! The next station we visited was the scale. She weighed in at a mere 18 lbs. She is just a tiny thing, but seems very healthy. Finally we visited the hearing test. The exam consisted of a toy piano and a sqeaky toy. Kathryn was so upset by this point she did not turn her head at any of the sounds at first, concerning the examiner. Finally she showed her interest in the toys and we were given a stamp of approval. Phew!