October 31, 2006 - From Luoyang to Guangzhou

Happy Halloween!

Today is a day of transit. I am hoping that the change in environment won't be too hard on Maya...but I am SO excited about getting to Guangzhou! I can't wait to meet back up with some of the other CCAI families and meet their little ones.

Since there won't be much excitement today (I hope!)....I'll just share some thoughts about life with Maya.

- She has the greatest smile and giggle...and mama has found her tickle spots. We play a game in the mornings, just after waking up, where she hides her face from me and I ask "Where's Maya?" and she just giggles and smiles the biggest smile! Then, she has to hide my face and I ask "Where's Mama?" and she just giggles and smiles when I reveal myself. So much fun!

- She also exhibits some of the most spectacular meltdowns I've seen. Thrashing, screaming, flailing....oh..it's a site to see! But...she calms down relatlively quickly (once I cave in to her demands, that is!) Yup...we'll be working on that, too, once she's feeling a bit more secure.

- She has a great time imitating. She loves to feed me and yesterday, she even wiped my nose after I got done wiping hers. It was SO cute!

- Maya is really coming out of her shell. I know this because of the meltdowns...and her responding to the name Maya...and the ready smile upon waking...and the laughter and giggles when playing...and most of all...the way she holds on to me when she is unsure of something.

- She is getting better each day with the walking. She's not quite ready to let go of my hands, but she has quickly moved from walking with both hands holding onto mine..to just one hand...and her legs seem to be getting closer together as she walks (she was very bow-legged just 6 short days ago). She has taken a brief step on her own as she moves from one object to hold onto to another.

- She is HILARIOUS! She makes me laugh so hard and so loud with her craziness and her laughter. Tonight, she realized that she could stand up by herself in the crib..with the help of the bars. She was SO pleased with herself....


She has also figured out that the camera coming out means to smile and look my way!

Finally...we ended our day with a spaghetti mess on the floor of Grandpa's hotel room. We have made it to Guangzhou...and Maya was such a trooper on the long bus ride and the 2 hour flight...she didn't have any problems at all! Yay!

Just four more days in China! But I have to say....this is going to be the coolest leg of the trip...lots of shopping and general merriment headed our way! See you all soon!