Keeping on the move.

Today was a very busy one. It was a cold and rainy morning in Nanchang as the busload of new parents set off to do all the official adoption business. This process involved dragging babies, paperwork, gifts and money on and off the bus at three stops. But, we all survived. (I can say this whole baby carrying thing is going to work eventually in terms of getting back in shape.) The good news is that at the end of the morning, it's a sealed deal. My girl is, indeed, MY girl.

We also ventured to Wal-Mart to do some baby shoppy. That was an experience. I absolutely love China but one thing that is very hard for me to get used to is the lack of personal space boundaries. Yeah, yeah, what DOES one expect when the population is at the level it is??? Still, it is bizarre to me to have strangers so close to me.

PIPA is doing well and is getting more comfortable fussing at me. Yeehaw! Seriously, she actually only gets her diva on when she is hungry or tired. She's an easy fix and doesn't cry for long. She is a dedicated flirt and is quite skilled at wrapping the guys around her finger (great). My girl whips out her coy smile at the men. It is very deliberate and quite interesting to me...at least now ;0)

She slept all night last night...10 hours to be exact. I am not expecting to be lucky enough to count on that continuing. She sleeps like a little rock and I am quite thankful!

As for me, I am coming along well in this mama gig. I am still laughing like a loon at so many of the things my SIL and I get into. She is so much fun and Ayi Lisa will forever be on the top of my PIPA's list of favorite people (well, at least after she forgets the toy-swiping incident).

The only spot I rather lost my mind was in my quest for clean clothing. I decided to do my laundry and I wasn't quite thinking when I washed nearly EVERYTHING I have in the hotel bathtub. It is all wringing wet and I have NO pants to wear to breakfast in the AM. Looks like I may be busy with the hair dryer. Geesh, I can't believe I was such a bonehead to do that. But, at least everything is clean and I have a sense of humor about the idea of wearing my jammie pants to breakfast.

Off to catch some zzzs with my babe. I'll be checking in tomorrow. I thank you for all the comments. I have to say I am unbelievably thrilled with my PIPA. It was just so odd to me to be asked by the officials if I was 'happy with' my baby. Uh, yeah, I think that is blatantly obvious!


PS: No, I am not jacking up PIPA's arm in that second picture. She rather likes holding it like a chicken wing at times. That was her doing....Miss Hand on the Hip.