2 YEARS ON, WHAT WE DID TODAY!

I 'treated' Alice to a bath first thing this morning, she loves water!

As soon as she was dressed I reminded her that it was 'Alice Day' and asked what that meant, whilst she didn't tell me about China, she did remember that it meant presents! We came downstairs, she found her pile of pressies in the hall and immediately sat down and ripped them open. A hoola hoop, egg and spoon race set and a princess DVD, later in the day a new large flat panda arrived.

We had a usual Wednesday morning - a music and drama group followed by a trip to the supermarket! Then we came home so that I could put the fudge cake together and ice the cupcakes - Alice requested that they become pink and so I had to pop round to Nana Next Door to 'borrow' some red food colouring (despite 1 home delivery and 2 supermarket trips in the last 24 hours!)

This afternoon we had a series of visitors, M, T and her sons L and CC, GFN and D and A, we drank long, iced drinks and ate cake whilst the littlies splashed in the water table and paddling pool.

While GFN was here Alice took advantage of his indulgent nature and splashed him repeatedly, I decided to splash her back with her water (but forgot that at the last minute when I was making the drink that Alice had requested squash instead) and so I dowsed her with squash!! Just an excuse to tip more water down her back!

It was a much more low-key day than last year but just as much fun and another day packed full of happy memories. Tonight, as every night, I'm counting my blessings and I can't believe my luck.

THE CAKE!

Last night Alice helped me to make a cake for today's adoption anniversary.

This morning she decided that she'd better check it tasted OK - so she took a bite!

I decorated it 'simply' with a Chinese character, I hope I got close to the meaning that I was seeking, but it probably says something like, 'my dog has bad breath'. Anyone brave enough to guess what it says, or clever enough to tell me what I actually iced?

2 YEARS?!

Where'd it go?

WOW!

2 YEARS AGO - TRAVELLING

Sitting in the first row on the aeroplane, facing backwards, all the way to China.

Beijing airport was timidating, our first experiences in China, intimidating being a foreigner in a country where nothing is easily understood to a Westerner and police carry guns. The airport was beautiful in its structure - glass and marble, light, bright, airey and shining clean. We managed to navigate our way from arrivals to departures (up several floors via a lift that was always full) and to our next carrier (who wasn't the one on the tickets!!) Not only that but via sign language I (me, hestitant, me) managed to communicate that we wanted seats together (and managed to get them together!) before sleeping through virtually the whole flight and missing our only glimpses of the Great Wall and the Yangtze River! (I spent lots of my conscious moments staring at and showing anyone who'd listen the photos of Whatshername, wondering how she'd be, how I'd cope and hoping we'd be OK.)

2 YEARS AGO

It was the night before I left for China, GFN had come over in the afternoon to swap some clothes for our luggage (in case any cases didn't arrive with us, luckily they all made every journey safely). In fact he wasn't GFN at that point (I was trying to save him for Little Sis, I think that last until the 3rd or 4th of July before I realised that he had to be Alice's GF!) Anyway N, over coffee, mentioned that with my surname Whatshername would need a neat and short first name - a good point and one that was the final straw for me deciding that Whatshername would be Alice - but having waited until 3 days before I met her to choose her name I decided that I'd wait and meet her before announcing it, in fact I met her, told her who I was and that I loved her and then asked her if she'd like to be called Alice?!

(And now I'm debating names again, but this time for Little Sis. There's already a shortlist and some names are new and others aren't. I've decided against some names, mostly others beginning with 'A' Annabel, Amelie, Anna . . .)

MILESTONES

This morning we went out in the car and a childrens CD was playing. Alice doesn't seem to respond to these CDs but I keep hoping that one day she'll appreciate that I play them for her benefit, even more than that I hope that one day she'll actually join in. Today she did! Halfway through 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' I realised that she was droning along at the end of the lines, I cried and replayed dear old Twinkle several times (nearly enough to learn the 2nd and 3rd verses, didn't even realise that there was more than 1 verse until recently!)

Never thought I'd cry to Twinkle or The Wheels On The Bus (reminds me of all the minibus travel in China, I think I sang it on nearly every journey - even had to post to the blog for help remembering more verses!!)

IT'S . . .

I can't believe that it's been 12 months.

I've been feeling very nostalgic over the last few days . . . remembering what I was doing and how I was feeling a year ago.

12 months ago - the terrifying nerves, wondering how the hand-over would go, how Alice and L would be, how M, C and I would cope. That day in Kunming, 2 special families were created (mine and theirs) and 1 extra special family (both of ours together including GFN) - the incredible process of intercountry adoption created an extra special link with another couple as we met our babies together and helped each other through those first dramatic yet wonderful days.

12 wonderful months later - the joy that Alice (and L too) has bought, the happiness, the laughter, the hope for the future. The link between our families, that friendship has been cemented in the time that we've been home, we just know so much about one another, understand so many things without explanations being necessary and then there's the link that our girls had before we knew them, so special, I am so lucky.

And the plans for Alice Day? . . . a quiet day at home, with friends coming round for a cuppa this afternoon . . . and a few presents (from Mummy, a few too many!) Then tomorrow we'll meet C and L for a trip to Longleat, lots of reminiscing and hopefully a few photo opportunities!! The meeting with L is not before time - Alice has been L obsessed in recent days - saying 'Hello L*' every morning to her photo in Alice's bedroom and asking whenever we leave the house - 'L*?'

NOSTALGIC MUMMY!

Remember this?

This the dress that I bought in Kunming's W@lm@rt nearly a year ago. Last year Alice wore it as a dress, this year it's a top - can't believe how much she's changed!! Sentimental me - I still love this top and the girl wearing it!

(Alice found this bracelet today - she was very proud to wear it this morning, she kept showing it to me for me to admire!!)

SSSSSSSHHHHHHH, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?! (AKA - NOW YOU KNOW JUST HOW SOFT I REALLY AM!!)

Tomorrow Alice will find out that there was something UNDERNEATH the box - a white rocking horse.

Now it needs a name - any ideas?

(I hope that this works - I'm trying a new 'blogger' trick, posting ahead of time and setting the publish time and date!)

CHINA GIRL, RADIO 4 PROGRAMME

Listen here! The BBC are having problems with the 'Listen Again' function at the moment, but it should be available to listen to for 7 days.

Our part went out this morning. I missed the broadcast (due to the health visitor's visit). So I listened to the recording on Sky+ while I fed Alice lunch. I cried through most of the programme and was extremely glad that Alice was there to give lots of kisses and cuddles.

ANSWERS!

I've had lots of questions - being asked in comment, by email and even in person!

What is everyone so curious about?

My beautiful daughter? NO!
Her magnificent spirit? NO!
Her incredible hair? NO!

In fact, they're not even asking questions about her, everyone is intrigued by N!!!

The facts:

• Yes, he's single.
• He's a farmer.
• He's a current affairs encyclopedia.
• He's mad about Kylie Minogue.
• We went to primary school together, I've known him since I was about 8.
• We're FRIENDS - the only person who flirts with him is my daughter, not me!
• I will forever be grateful for his support and companionship on our trip to China - I couldn't have done it without him.

LAST PHOTO (FOR NOW)

I wanted to post this last night, but N was falling asleep so I had to curtail my blogging!!

TRAVEL TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

I have lots of experiences - packing and shopping to share, when I get home!

(C - I think we need to chat, too much to type!)

IT'S A CLICHE, BUT IT HAD TO BE DONE!

Traditionally American adoptive families take 'red couch' photos at the White Swan in Guangzhou.

It's a long story, but we're not staying there, neverthless I HAD to go to see the waterfall indoors and to take some 'red couch' photos - these have caused some debate recently in the UK (for the distress that some children). But I had to try it.

The result? It was interesting to go there, see it and come away without the heafty bill, and Alice looks gorgeous (as usual) and didn't suffer in the process.

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING

This morning, M and I had to go to the British Consulate to obtain entry clearance for the babies. The guide said 'No babies', so N had to babysit Alice.

It was the first time I'd left Alice in the 8 since meeting her. I hadn't anticipated how hard it would be - my eyes leaked in the taxi to the Consulate.

C was staying with Lois, so he had some guidance if necessary. They finished breakfast, fed the girls some congee and went for a stroll in the heat. They ended up in Starbucks, where N had his usual (latte) and Alice had some apple juice. When they got back to the hotel, N prepared a bottle for Alice. She didn't have too much.

I returned from the Consulate - pretty desperate to see my baby. After I'd showered her with kisses, I checked up on how much she'd eaten, only to discover that N had prepared the formula with the bottle containing apple juice - no wonder she hadn't eaten that much!

I fed her a 'jar' (mixed fruit, smelt like over-rip bananas) and then put her down for her lunchtime snooze. Not to be beaten, N volunteered to babysit! So C and I went shopping - for the girls, to get some mementos of China. I bought lots of bits, including clothes, paintings and lots of panda things. I got quite used to haggling, but didn't manage to get the price down very much!!

My favourite photos from today - a gorgeous smile and her 'raspberry' face (which we're seeing a lot of at the moment!) Thanks for all the messages, keep them coming as they keep us going!

By the way - entry clearance approved, WE CAN COME HOME, see you in 2 days or so! K and Alice xxx

TRAVELLING AND GUANGZHOU

Yesterday we left Kunming and flew (90 minutes) to Guangzhou. Both girls were very good on the flight - Alice didn't make too much noise and with the help from a bottle of milk on take-off and apple juice on landing she didn't suffer from the change in air pressure.

I was sad to leave Kunming - not just because it's my daughter's birthplace, but because it is a place where I felt safe and it's not too hot!

Guangzhou is very different - more extremes, greater poverty and wealth, more crowded with more traffic and MUCH hotter. It is at least 35 degrees C outside and very, very humid - clothes are dripping within minutes of leaving the air-conditioned heaven of the hotel. We did explore the surrounding streets of Shamian Island last night, after 6pm when it was STILL uncomfortably hot.

The anticipated trip to a Buddhist temple this morning was cancelled - Alice and Lois have both had digestive 'issues' since arriving here and C is suffering from a nasty case of travellers' tummy. She's rested most of today and we all hope that she'll be feeling much better very soon. Meanwhile M has been doing a really good job, single handed.

We had supper tonight at Lucy's, not bad but I wasn't feeling too good. Alice went down more easily this evening, and I really need her to stay down tonight, off for an early night. K x

As expected the hotel rooms are much smaller, there is construction work going on 3 floors below and it seems as if the 'banging' never stops.

FRIDAY EVENING IN KUNMING

Quiet day, lovely day. It rained this morning so we stayed in.

10am the important paperwork arrived - birth certificates, abandonment certificates, adoption certificates and a medical thingy - 3 copies of each, all needing to be checked for accuracy, we haven't found any mistakes, yet! We were supposed to go and get all this, but it was delivered to us by another guide because Chris was in hospital.

We went up to the panoramic (moving) lounge for lunch, the movement made me feel sick when I thought about it but I got used to it and the views were magnificent! (The menu was the same as the cafe next to reception, so M, N and I had our usual, club sandwich!)

After that we discovered the shops on the second floor and I bought some things for Alice's Adoption Day Anniversaries (and made the shopkeeper very happy!) N and Alice managed to sleep for parts of the afternoon, I didn't get the opportunity! N is still suffering from jet-lag I think, the rest of us got over it with all the adrenalin.

I heard from the guide, he was misdiagnosed and is 'all OK', he delivered the passports this evening.

More room-service for supper tonight, it's good food, but we're getting a bit bored of these 8 walls (2 rooms) after nightfall!!

Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou, with Chris (phew!) We will be staying at the Victory Hotel on Shamian Island - my bags are plastered with orange ribbons and I will be watching for any Autumn Dreamers. Although there must be at least 12 families staying at the Harbour Plaza, none had an orange to see!! AUTUMN DREAMERS PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO US!

. . . our guide is ill, in hospital. We thought he was using the 'facilities' a lot yesterday. I hope that he is much recovered very soon.

Not sure how the rest of the journey will be without him.

MOBBED IN CHINA

Every now and then, when we're out and about, we get mobbed by 'the locals'. They chatter away and surround the pushchairs.

We eventually got around to asking the guide what they were saying - apparently they are keen to see what Western babies look like and then they say that they look just like Chinese babies! Chris (the guide) does then tell them that the babies are actually adopted Chinese babies!!

(I know that this is a photo of Japanese tourists but it shows the 'mob effect' - I am in there, with Alice, I'm wearing a red patterned top and white trainers!)

MORE SMILES AND CHANGES

Both the girls were far more smiley today, they ate better, ate more and were much jollier.

I'm really saw some changes in Alice today - she started blowing raspberries and now she cries when I leave the room (I think at this stage this is a good sign that attachment may be beginning?) N says that she's making 'good, prolonged eye-contact' too!