Friday

Ivy must have an internal alarm clock set for 6:30 a.m.  I don't, though.  Today was my first visit to Starbucks.  I'm not a fan, but wanted a latte.  I'm glad I went.  There was a guest book there for people to write in.  I brought it to the table for Ivy to look at or write in.  She wrote some things, and went through and read to me in Chinese, giggling all the way.  It was so sweet, but I hope she wasn't reading really bad things!  It was the first time she talked that much to me.

We took a taxi to the zoo, about 25 minutes away.  Five minutes before we arrived, Ivy vomited all over herself, the seat, the floor.  (Seth did the same thing in 2007.)  I believe it was just motion sickness because she seemed fine later.  She had so much vomit on her sweater that I had to throw it away in the trash can at the zoo.  A Chinese lady saw me do this.  Then she motioned/told me that Ivy needed something to wear.  Picture me doing charades, making the vomiting sounds and motions.  Then she shook her head as if to understand, saying Ooohhhh.  I gave Ivy my jacket, and I cleaned her off the best I could with a pack of tissues.  I had her regurgitation under my fingernails.  It was not pretty, but I was determined to have a good time.  Just 15 short minutes later, Ivy slipped on the wet tile and started crying.  Poor thing. 

For Joy, since she imitates a lion so well.

For Eva..because she likes for me to sing the giraffe song.

 

 

This work of art is made entirely of butterfly wings...kind of gross.

$1.00 for this huge bowl of noodles.  Ivy ate the whole thing.

After eating way too much at Cow and Bridge, we walked around the island a lot.  I needed some more exercise.  Ivy was walking on one side of a large Banyan tree, and I was walking on the other side.  I decided to play chase with her, around the tree.  When I peeked on the other side, I saw a frightened look on her face.  She thought I was gone.  Even though it caused her a second of panic, I saw the relief in her face when she saw me again.  It made me realize that she is trusting and liking me more every day.

Under the new Hague regulations, children over 2 years of age have to have a TB skin test.  Ivy had hers yesterday.  Today it does not look good.  I'm thinking that she will have to have an X-ray tomorrow when we go to have it checked.  My doctor told me that since Chinese children are vaccinated against TB (isn't that the BCG Vaccine?) they will likely test positive on the skin test.  Any opinions out there from those who've done this recently?  How does it look?

 

Mine looked similar and it was negative..so I'm hoping for good news.

*Ivy loves bubblebaths.

*She laughs at herself when she sings.  I try to encourage her to sing, but I think she's embarrassed.

*She found another rhinestone shirt in the back of the drawer and had to wear it today, after vomiting on her other clothes.

*Ivy pocketed the tip money I left for the waiter at Cow and Bridge.  She showed it to me 2 shops later.  Blame it on the language barrier.

*She looks at her pictures from the orphanage and does not cry at all, but names everyone off and laughs at the boys. 

*She grins really big when I tuck her in bed at night and tell her I love her in Chinese.