Theme of the day is water!

We woke up to a wet and rainy day.  The plan is to go to Shamian Island today because the four families that joined us had not had a chance to go.  Since it was raining, I thought the trip would be cancelled and we would just have a hotel day today.  But at breakfast the other families agreed that we would go forward because a little rain does not hurt anyone.  So off to the island we went.  This time we bought squeak shoes!  After we finished shopping Dad and I decided that we would get massages.  Dad got a whole body massage while I got a foot massage while Lauren was sitting in my lap.  I kept her occupied by feeding her a banana (her favorite fruit) and cheerios (her favorite snack).  Then we discovered that the massage came with a lunch, so we ordered two rice dishes thinking that it would be easier to feed her rice vs. noodles.  The rice was a bit hot and boy did Miss Lauren throw a protest!  When she sees food it better be ready for her to eat!

Lauren is becoming familiar with hotel and our routine.  She will now push the button to call the elevator to go down to the lobby.  She also discovered the escalator and loved going up and down with Dad.  She still will not let him carry her, but now she plays peek a boo with him.  And is comfortable with him getting close to her or helping her with the stairs. 

When we returned Lauren took a nap.  Again it takes her sometime to fall asleep but once she is asleep she is hard to wake up. 

Not ready to wake up from her nap.  Notice she stuck her fingers back in her mouth.

Sleepy head

Because it is still raining and we are too lazy to leave the hotel we just opted to eat downstairs in the hotel again.  This time we ordered a fish soup and Lauren loved eating that with rice.  She has now mastered the "I'm full" notice to me by spitting out the food once she is through.  This is actually a good sign as she is beginning to self regulate.  Many of the orphanage kids will continue to eat, even if full, until they get sick.  This was explained to us to be aware of.  The reason is that they may have not gotten enough in the orphanage, so when there is food they eat as much as possible, not knowing when the next meal would be. 

At dinner, but still refusing to sit in the high chair

The other water story is about bath time!  The great news is that Lauren was able to get into the tub by herself without me having to go in there!  YEA!  She stood the whole time, but I will take that for now if it means that I don't have to go in with her.   This is a huge accomplishment because she was so afraid of the water when we first got her.  Even walking into the bathroom to turn on the sink faucet scared her.  Tomorrow we will work on sitting in the tub.

Her signature two fingers in the mouth when she is tired or scared