Monday in Guangzhou

Well, today was the official doctor visit. As per last visit, it was just about as thorough. Actually, maybe less thorough. But the doctor did ask about the scar on Rissa's ankle, which she said was caused when she was burned by some hot water. And they did ask about her "developmental delay," which we said we hadn't noticed. The doctors didn't notice anything either and several of them looked at her. We will have her evaluated back in St. Louis, but if she had delays, they seem to be caught up. She seems right on track with Mina and will start school as soon as she knows enough English and there is a spot for her.

After the doctor visit. We went to the pearl market and large shopping center. We bought Rissa a pearl pendant to be given to her at a much later date. We had bought Mina one when we visited with her. I also bought a few bracelets. Then we went to McDonalds for lunch. mmmm.

We've been taking the girls swimming every day since we've been here. Mina loves to swim and does a good job in the water. The pool has styrofoam float rings for the kids and she get hers on and just paddles around. She can swim without, but wants to swim with daddy and he's occupied. So, Rissa THINKS she can swim. The first day she does a face plant. She hates getting her face wet. So every five minutes she wants the towel. The second day is better and we pull her around in the ring. Today she thinks she's an olympic swimmer and doesn't need the ring. We'll have her swimming by the end of summer, but we're really going to have to watch her. She'll be jumping in by herself.

Yesterday, we walked to the supermarket. And we use that term loosely. It was a small grocery. The marketplace we walked through was very cool. Lots of spices, mushrooms, roots, snakes, bugs, etc. to buy. Very interesting. Need some turtles for your soup. They've got them....Frogs....they've got them....very fresh,kill them yourself. But boy was it hot and it was a long walk for the girls. I would have just gotten what I needed from 7-11 across the street, but we would have missed the fun.

Tommorrow is the group picture on the red couches. I think this one should go better. Rissa likes me and has adjusted well. Last time, Mina only liked daddy. Plus there were a lot of crying babies. This time there are only 5 kids and they are mostly older. The youngest is 2 1/2. I can't believe we are leaving in a few days. It's going really fast here in Guangzhou. Maybe because we like it here and probably because we are so busy.

Oh, and the girls are getting along better. They are behaving better and playing better together. They are still fighting some, but the days are getting smoother. I'm sure it will get better once we are home. Or not, there are more toys to fight over....