Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Exploring Chengdu With Bella!

Before we get started with our post, just want to point out to those of you following that there is a new link on the left side of the page that will take you to more photos. The blog will only let us post so many, so I'll be dumping more photos onto our flickr website and you can access that by clicking the "MORE PHOTOS" link.

AIN'T SHE CUTE!!!


Isabella had a hard time at bed time last night. She cried for a while and finally settled down after we sang to her and kept reassuring her over and over. It was heartbreaking for me especially. But I know it is a good thing because it just shows that she has bonded so much with the family that has been so good and loving to her. She slept like a champ and did not wake up until about 8 or 8:30 this morning. When she did, she cried again. I think she had forgotten where she was and who she was with. She calmed down pretty fast though and has been a happy little girl ever since.



We took our time getting ready this morning and just played in the room for awhile. We then walked around the city a bit and did some shopping. Chengdu is China’s 4th largest city, about 12 million people. Largest being by the number of people, not area. So think about shoving about 100 people in an elevator. That is what it is like here. I think Chengdu is a prettier city than Beijing. The area around Chengdu is very green with a lot of rice fields. We were able to see it from the airplane as we landed in Chengdu. While out shopping, people gawked and stared at us. And we thought we were being stared at in Beijing … it is nothing like being here with a Chinese child! Some people try to talk to us, but we have no idea what they are saying. Others just stop, stare and talk about us with the people they are with.
We went back to the Civil Affairs office this afternoon where we completed the adoption registration. We were asked questions to make sure we would care for and never abandon Isabella.
We ventured out for dinner tonight and tried an Italian restaurant on the other side of the city that was recommended to us. Really, “ventured” is not the word for it. It was more like risking our lives because we had to take a cab. I know I have said this before, but I have never seen anything like it. Michael sat in the front of the cab and Bella and I hung on for lives in the backseat. Oh, and no seatbelts in the back, so I was holding on to her very tightly.
The restaurant was good and everyone was very nice there, but a couple of the workers stood at the counter several feet away from us and just watched us eat. A little uncomfortable, but I think they were just curious about our situation.
We have just put Bella down for the night and she was not happy to go to bed. She was tired but did not want to give in, especially when she can see us in the bed next to hers. She finally fell asleep while holding my hand. So precious.
Thanks everyone for all of the prayers and encouraging comments!!! We enjoy reading them everyday!

9 comments:

  1. She is just so precious! God is working through you!! I've been following along and praying for you.

    Love,
    Joan Walker

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  2. So happy for you! Bella is just beautiful!

    Jess

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  3. I hope we get to meet this sweet girl! She is just adorable.
    Don't you just love the traffic there? With the amount of craziness in the roads, everyone seems to know what they are doing though. Crazy.

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  4. So glad you are all doing well - and thank you so much for posting so many pictures and your well-written, descriptive notes. Seems unreal that you are half a world away (and a day ahead!).... yet we are reading about your day and seeing the pictures nearly the same day they are taken. Thank goodness for technology. I cannot wait to meet her. Keep safe and keep the updates coming!

    God bless -- The Tebbes

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  5. I see that Bella is following in her brothers' footsteps of copying their father's sleeping habits! "No Shirt Required" We hope last night was even smoother than the night before for all of you! We love you guys! Love Tiffany, Jeremy, and Addy (who we found out already has a love interest at daycare)

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  6. Heather,
    Thank you so much for sharing your amazing trip with us. Even Harold is looking at the pictures everyday. It has been the highlight of my day to come home and see what you did today!!! Bella looks adorable and I can't wait to meet her. What a blessing....you guys are amazing!!!!

    Debbie and Harold

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  7. Michael and Heather,
    Bella is adorable. I look forward everyday to getting up and reading your news. This a true blessing from God. Just think it won't be long and Bella will be seeing her 2 new brothers. I cannot wait to see and her how Keenan and Aiden react to her. They will love her !! She will love playing with cars and trucks as well as the boys may have to play hoouse and barbies . I am so glad things are going so well for you. This is an AWESOME journey that you have been on and I am so glad you finally have her in your arms.
    We are praying everyday for you guys.
    Love,
    The Cromer Family

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  8. I just printed four pix to take to work tomorrow! I can't wait to show the girls...as I have been talking about it for over a week....tell Bella ...Aunt Nance loves her! (I gotta start early, if I have any chance of becoming the fav old Great Aunt!!!) God bless....

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  9. You have yourselves an amazing little daughter. Watching God work in her life to bring her to you has been such a blessing to us. Your family has been and will continue to be in our prayers.
    Julie's parents

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