Friday, January 22nd

Well, we had a bit of a stressful day. We packed up our bags and headed for the airport in order to catch our plane to Ghounzhou. Just the process of boarding the plane was very stressful. We had all this luggage, fussy, crying babies, crowds, security, and immigration to contend with. We just made the plane. I was exhausted and looked forward to getting in my seat when I realized Rob and I were separated and I had to sit in the middle seat with Gigi strapped to me. The men on the end isles were not too happy about it. It is hard to explain the exhaustion one feels when you are constantly wrapping up the baby, strapping her to you, taking her off again,....etc. All the while, people are staring at you and expecting that you keep the baby happy and dressed to their standards. You feel as if eyes are always on you. Anyway, we made to Ghounzhou and are tired to the bone. The White Swan Hotel is just as amazing as I have heard.

Gigi is starting to smile at us more and babble a little bit. I had been a little concerned because she seemed to be the only baby that was not strongly attached to either mom or dad. She likes us okay, but when other people want to hold her, she never fusses. Well, today when we reached the hotel, the maid came in and was very insistent that she hold Gigi. I didn't want to give her to her, but it would have been rude. She just reached out and took her. She spoke to her in Chinese (not sure the dialect) and Gigi looked at her. Then she looked over at Rob and me. She looked back towards the maid and started to cry so I took her back right away. I am very hopeful that she is starting to prefer us to others and knows that she belongs to us.