More Gardens

The weather here the last two days have been warm and sunny. Yesterday we thought it reached 60 degrees and today at least 65. But they are calling for the weather to change here by Thursday - cold and rainy. Yesterday was not good for Natalie. She was awake several times during the night, and refused to eat or drink most of the day. Needless to say I am exhausted. We were taken to Shamian Island, which was settled by the British. The layout of the streets and the buildings are very European. It reminds me of Savannah, Georgia, with all the willow trees and hanging vines. Here they have shoppes that cater to tourists, especially those adopting Chinese children (the consulate is close by.) We bought several traditional items as gifts for Natalie. We will spread these out and give her one each birthday until we run out. We also purchased a traditional dress for her-with the Phoenix on it because that is the meaning of her Chinese name-Feng. The Phoenix means beautiful and good luck. For the longest time I couldn't decide whether to have her baptized in a traditional christian dress or a traditional Chinese dress-she will definitely be baptized in her Chinese dress.

It is interesting all the different opinions we receive by Chinese women. Our guide in Nanjing thought Natalie was older than the age the doctor from the orphanage documented. She also thought she was going to be very tall because she has long fingers. Yesterday a Chinese woman thought she was small for her age. But all find her "very cute". Today three Chinese girls wanted to take our picture with them. We don't know who they were-it was quite humorous. Natalie definitely loves the outdoors-it is where she is the happiest-but I can understand that-she probably was never out of doors before. She seems to be fascinated with plants. We figure she should be a botanist or horticulturalist. We will definitely be sending her with my Uncle Glenn and her cousins Arlie and Ahna, when he takes his nature walks.

The first set of pictures are from our time shopping on the Island. The second set of pictures are from our tour this morning at Yuntai Gardens. This place was very much like Longwood Gardens. It is a man made Garden found at the foot of the White Cloud Mountain. It has many species of flowers and south east Asian plants-also a greenhouse. Today, (up until this moment when we tried to put Natalie down for a nap) she has had a very good day. She slept thru most of the night, and she ate a big breakfast. She continues to have a cold and bad cough. I will be glad to get her home and to the pediatrician next Wednesday-although that too should be a battle ground. She is a very strong little girl and if she does not want to do something, she puts up one huge fight.

We are now counting down! Four more days until we are home!!!! We miss the cats and familiar food. We did find a nice Italian restaurant down the street. And you don't know just how "delicious" Ritz crackers and Chips Ahoy cookies are until you find them in China!