Well – since Mark was down for the count yesterday (Thursday), Mom -yes, that would be me - and Allie ventured out with the other families on our own. Baby and diaper bag firmly affixed, we headed to the Tengwang Pavilion, which overlooks the Gan river and the city and then lunch with the gang. I have to admit that I was a bit preoccupied with Allie to take in all of the historic facts – but according to our guide there have been 26 multi-storied towers built on this site since the first was raised over 1,000 years ago in honor of a Tang price. I did notice and enjoy watching the barges and boats on the river and the small indoor theater where performers were demonstrating traditional dance and music.
The families that we are traveling with and the people that we have the opportunity to meet in China have been wonderful – from fellow travelers lending a hand when I was trying to figure out the damn baby sling or eat with a fidgety person in my arms to strangers holding Allie upright on the sink counter in a public restroom while I try to change negotiate a diaper change.
Allie’s personality is really starting to materialize – she is quite social and loves being with a gang of folks laughing it up. We’ve also gotten past (somewhat) the trauma of simple events such as changing cloths, diapers, bedtime, etc. Getting the chance to play quietly for a couple of hours in the hotel room really helped and the progress is quite remarkable, she is like different kid – trying to crawl, rolling over, chatting to herself and such. And, yes, I can actually watch this for hours.
I know that Mark wants to write about our family adventure on Wednesday at the Buddhist temple and Chinese version of an American coffee house – so stay tuned for this as well as the reports on today’s outing.
4 comments:
Finally some up close photos of the beautiful little girl. Thank You!! (love you all, but really all I want to see is HER)
Traveling with baby is a good "trick" to transition you into parenthood, since I believe the comforts of home are much more managable.
Love You All,
Cristy
Ronnie -- thanks for keeping us posted while Mark has been sick. Loved the pictures of Allie on the hotel bed. She's just so cute and no doubt she'll be gaining those fine and gross motor skills quickly (her delay is certainly to be expected). Mark -- sure hope you're feeling better soon!
Love,
Kathy (Kent's Kathy)
The photos are precious. And yes, we are all missing you in the office but the truth is we just want more Allie-stories and photos!
Ronnie -- thank you sooooo much for keeping me in the loop. Allie is simply adorable, and I love your stories and photos. As Eli says, more photos please!!
Jean B
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