Hough Stuff with Jessica, Kate and Ryan: I am outta here.....

It is hard to keep the days straight but....
All I know is that tomorrow the taxi picks me up at 2:30 pm to begin my trip home. I am wishing that I could have stayed the entire trip but just not enough time and it will be great to be home with the Jessica and Kate (sure do miss those two).

This morning we didn't have to be going until 9:30 am so we took a late breakfast. It was nice to be a little lazy this morning and enjoy our time together. From breakfast we went out to a new Museum that is home to exhibits of the many minority groups of the Guangxi province. It is a very nice exhibit and a great way to be out of the room for some time. Afterwards it was off to a minority artisan market. At the market, Danielle (and I) proceeded to go on a shopping spree. We haven't really done that before and it was a lot of fun. We made several purchases for Ryan to give to her when she is older; tea set, silver hair pieces, hand woven brocade scarf, silver dragon necklace and ear rings (framed), her chop (stamp), and I think a couple of other items that I can't think of right now.

Afterward it was back to the hotel for lunch. We asked our guide, Cindy, to join us and we all enjoyed another great dinning experience.

I will talk a little bit about Ryan Grace now. She is awesome! She reminds me more and more of her sister Jessica. Her expressions, actions....I don't know, just something about her. She is a tiny little peanut, if the scales worked we figure she is 16 pounds and is barely hits me above the knee. She walks, but almost prefers to be carried (and we comply). She laughs, has a great sense of humor and I cannot wait for her to meet her sisters. As far as eating she is still on a bottle although we are giving her solids and we know that she will eat the heck out of plain white rice, and chocolate.

I had forgotten how tired Jessica used to get. Danielle and I have been talking and we remember that Jessica used to sleep about 14 hours per day. Ryan and Jessica have similar heart defects, and it was not until after her surgery that Jessica began to keep "normal" hours. It was not until after surgery that Jessica began to put on weight and I know the same will be for Ryan.

We also have learned that Ryan has not received one immunization yet. According to the orphanage director they were concerned about immunizations and how that would affect her heart. Needless to say when we get home we are going to be keeping everything very low key until we get through surgery. Danielle already has appointments with the pediatrician and our pediatric cardiologist (I say our cardiologist only because she has treated all of our daughters). Danielle will be taking her in as soon as we get home.

Ryan has turned out to be a daddy's girl and I am not arguing as I have not yet had a daddy's girl this early in the process. I have to say I am loving it and will be sad to leave Ryan, Danielle and Kelly behind.

All in all it has been a great trip and we have been so happy to have Ryan in our family. It just feels right.