Chen Temple and Shopping (Sunday in Guangzhou)

Chan Temple

It is Sunday in Guangzhou. This morning we toured the Chen Temple. It is a beautiful building that was built for the worship of family ancestors (which is a significant thing in China). I am continually amazed by the architecture. These building are hundreds of years old, and yet the detail is so beautiful and ornate. It seems impossible. We have had amazing opportunities to learn about the culture here and even now with a little one in tow, it still feels very much like a vacation.

Caleb's new Chinese BFF, Noah

Lexi is doing wonderfully. She is so tiny and delayed, but we are all incredibly smitten with this beautiful princess. She came to us weak and listless. She could hardly sit up. She was so lifeless that she wasn’t able to raise her arms and could barely muster a cry. Our main goal has been to keep her belly full and at this point, she is eating like a grown man. There is no off button and she will eat as long as you’ll keep feeding her and she never get sicks. She was starving. Each day she comes alive a bit more…more smiles, more movement, and more joy. Initially, she couldn’t even lift her arms to feed herself, but last night at dinner she polished off a whole plate of snacks on her own. The other thing we noticed is that the first few nights she stayed completely still in her crib and would wake up in the same position in which she fell asleep. Now, she is all over the place and wakes up completely sideways and shoved to the top of the crib…which is much more typical for a child this age. During play time on the floor last night she was so much more active and mobile than we had seen yet. Every day there is a little bit more life and it leaves us feeling hopeful. Of course, she has a very long way to go, but the speedy and noticeable progress, after less than a week, is encouraging. 

We had dinner tonight at an Irish Pub because well, we simply cannot do any more Chinese food. Then it was off to bed because we have an early appointment at the U.S. Consulate on Monday morning. 

Almost done! 

Today I had my first Starbucks of the trip.

Finally, we are getting some smiles.