The orphanage itself was a HUGE campus. The landscaping was very nice and pretty and the buildings were grand, but I just can't imagine how many kiddos are in there. The ones we visited seemed very happy - they don't realize what they are missing out on. But it is heartbreaking to see the children full of life with so much love to give. You can't help but want to take a few more with you!
The other Gladney family we are traveling with is so much fun and so thoughtful. Their eldest daughter is a member of a jump rope squad. She decided to donate 100 jump ropes (or close to it!) to the orphanage. They lugged a large bag all of the way from the US. At the orphanage, she demonstrated to the kiddos how to use a jump rope. Boy is she a pro...she can jump rope while sitting on the floor bouncing on her booty! The kids just loved it! Afterwards, the family passed out the jump ropes and let them try to use them. So adorable! Most just flopped it over their heads onto the ground and them jumped over it, but one of the little boys picked it up quickly. What a great gift idea...not only is it good exercise but it is a great way to wear out those rambunctious kiddos! ;)
This family adopted a 6 year old from the same orphanage as MeiLin. She is just precious and takes every opportunity to "show off" her new family - especially her Daddy! They have 3 biological children and adopted their fourth. You should see the Chinese people stare at the large family! Though their little girl was with a foster family for 3 years, they take all of the kids to the orphanage for 2 weeks before the adoption as a transition period. We visited her room and bed, as well. Their little girl is officially the 1,000th Chinese adoption for Gladney - how amazing is that! And Gladney overall celebrated it's 30,000th adoption in Dec 2012 - so many lives forever blessed!
Once we were back at the hotel, it was nap time. She went down without a fuss the day before, but today she was unconsolable; much like the first day we brought her home. I can't help but think it was another mourning period after seeing her nannies. So I know people say to let them cry it out, but I stayed by her side rubbing her back and stomach until she finally calmed down. After a few minutes of being out of the bedroom, my Mom ears perked up - I heard a plastic bag. Sure enough, somehow she reached a plastic bag from the crib that I had thought was out of the way. (Parent of the year - but Brandon thought there was a maid outside the door with a bag, so at least I knew it was her!). Taking away her new toy made her upset again and this time Brandon stayed by her side. I want to somehow show her that when she cries we will be there for her! It breaks my heart to hear her not just cry but wail...I end up crying right along with her.
We had our first fall - just for the record, Brandon was on duty! :( She tripped backwards onto the floor and hit her head into the dresser on the way down. It sounded terrible! She cried for just a bit and then went back to playing. So sad! I want her to cry so I can console her, but no one has ever done that for her before! She has hit herself two other times by evidence of the whelps on her face, but she didn't make a peep - so not sure when those occurred. :(
Tomorrow we take our first flight with MeiLin and head to Guangzhou for the last leg of our trip - today marks the halfway mark of our journey! In closing, I will include the letters MeiLin typed while I worked on the blog - heart! As typed by MeiLin... "Oil,I h" (she didn't really type oil; spell checked corrected it for her!). :)
And everyone's favorite...more photos!
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