What a Birthday for Becci

Today was Becci's birthday! This morning she said all she really wanted was a good day with Aubrey. We just got the kids to bed and I'm pleased to report that her birthday wish came true. Today was the best day with Aubrey yet. As she gets more comfortable with us, her personality is shining through, and what a character she is.

We started today with a trip to a park in the city. This was formally the Shaizaizhou zoo, but they relocated the zoo a few years ago and now it's just a park with some beautiful walking paths and structures. It also snowed today, the first in a while from what we understand, so people were out and about enjoying the snow. Ryan and Allison that we are traveling with have dubbed it Snog, half snow half smog, as it's brown before it hits the ground.

By the time we were done walking, Aubrey was out cold on my shoulder. When we got back to the hotel, I went to lay her down and she was suddenly wide awake. We were expecting that overly tired toddler crankiness, but what we got instead was an entire afternoon of the goofiest, funniest little girl. She has some cd's with Chinese Nursery ryhmes on it, and it turns out she already knew Old MacDonald, at least the E I E I O part, which she sings with great enthusiasm.

we eat oodles of noodles

Who can resist jumping on a hotel bed?
This evening, we went to the Korean restuarant located in the hotel. The food was excellent, however we haven't gotten the hang of ordering yet. This is our second attempt at Korean and both times we've ordered enough food for 2 families. Even still, with a table full of noodles, sweet and sour prawns (shrimp), eel, octopus, roasted sweet potatoes and a sampler of pancakes, the bill was 280 Yuan, about $40 US.

Aubrey was worn out by dinner, so was a bit fussy, but we still had a good time. After dinner, we picked up dessert at the pastry shop in the lobby. This is a four star hotel, and three pastries came out to about $4 US.

Before dessert, it was bath time. Aubrey is insane about baths. She washes herself so thoroughly, including hair, and just loves the whole thing.

Finally, dessert in the room to top off our birthday celebration. Aaron and Aubrey are both pretty into dessertOur kids know how to party, but sooner or later, it's over

We just can't get over today. It's such a relief to feel her bonding to us and feeling safe with us. It's not all smooth sailing, she has to be on me at nearly all times, and not just on me, but held and walking around. Not sitting, not laying down, standing or it's cranky time. But still, she is doing great, trying out new words and just being a beautiful, clever kid. Becci is trying to assess what she can do with her left arm, which has two fingers. She has some muscle control, but can't flex the fingers. What she can do one handed though is amazing. Dressing, putting on socks and shoes, brushing teeth, she's unstopable.

More to follow...tomorrow is a trip to the botanical gardens.