Good News- we found a McDonalds! A cheeseburger never tasted so good. Actually, tastes like home. We weny back to the super market today and walked around for a couple of hours. It is great to get out of the motel for a few hours. we have not been in a taxi today, so it wasn't as adventurous as yesterday. As you can see by some of the pictures the traffic is crazy. You can understand why I was a nervous nelly when there was a man chasing down the taxi in the middle of the street!

Tomorrow we are going to a museum and then out for an authentic chinese meal. Some of our tours have been postponed because the other two babies have congestion and they were seen by a chinese doctor who was close to 100 years old. The retirement benefits must be lacking here in China! Our guide, Jane, is very nice. But, insists that the girls are bundled in many layers. Here is her rule: if babies sneeze or cough once, then it is one layer. two coughs two layers, etc. So, the babies that have been coughing and sneezing are real warm.

Ellie has had an amazing day. She is babbling, grinning, giggling and acting like a one year old. we think that she might be crawling by the time we get back. She is incredibly active and vocal. She can also throw a great temper tantrum. she fits great in the family! We love her so much and can hardly believe this dream has finally come true.

At Christmas time, I sent a care package to Ellie at her orpahange. I included a disposable camera hoping that her nannies would take pictures and return the camera to us. My wish came true- the camera was returned and we can't wait to get the pictures developed. Our guide is from this province and has been to the orphanage many times. She says it is very clean and the director is a good one. He is very concerned about the welfare of the children and runs a tight ship. The nannies there have to be certified in CPR and first aid. There are not many children in the orphanage as there is not a lot of money to house many. There are only 10 babies in the place, with 2 nannies during the day and a different two at night. we feel so blessed about the care she received the first 11 months of her life.

Chinese New Year starts on February 18th. It is a huge festival where most places are closed for a week or two. There have been fireworks every night since we have been here. We were going to visit a kindergarten but school is out all of February for their winter break.

Have a great day and we will post more tomorrow.
Love,
Gretchen