After our less than thrilling intro to Guangzhou, I felt that my boys could all use some down time, as well as some away from the new baby sister time. Therefore, I decided to volunteer to take Lily Belle to her medical appointment alone. This isn’t as brave as it sounds. I would be in a group with all the other Lifeline families and our guide; we would ride together and come home together. Plus since she is under two years old, there aren’t even any needles involved.
Things started off great! Lily was charming everyone as usual…
But then the doctor decided he would actually touch her…
This was at the first of four stations we moved through at the medical exam. The tears began the second the doc touched her and we spiraled down from there! As all the other kids seemed to be taking this all in stride, we went from crying to an all out kicking and screaming fit! To be fair to my girl, we were the first to go, so I don’t truly know how anyone else reacted. I just know that by the fourth station, which was just checking her height and weight, they had to somewhat guess at it, because she was lying on the floor kicking and screaming. Fun times.
The SECOND that was over, I strapped her back in the Ergo and took the elevator down to walk with her outside. No matter what was going on with this sweet girl, a walk in the Ergo could always calm her down. She was worked up enough that it took nearly half an hour before she completely calm.
If I knew what she was thinking of me at this moment, she would probably be in big trouble!
Our view for our walk
Finally. Sweet success.
We stopped off at the market near our hotel and stocked up on noodle cups, rice cookies, sandwich stuff (we chose the ham-like meat over the $15 jar of peanut butter), and Pringles (we never did manage to find a flavor that was edible. No matter what you thought you were buying, you weren’t!). When we finally got back to the hotel, Lily Belle took a proper nap, and I relayed the morning events to Jeff. I was fairly sure my daughter would never forgive me for the rough morning, and all the bonding we had experienced would be out the window. How thankful I am that she proved me wrong upon waking, when I received my very first Lily kiss!!
Nothing sweeter under the sun
All smiles after her nap
Somehow, by the grace of God, going through such a crummy morning together drew us closer instead of apart. God is so good to us, even when our faith is small.
We ended our day with dinner at the Mexican restaurant near our hotel with all our new friends. After getting to know the area a little better, walking around in the day, and moving to a nicer room in our hotel, things were looking much better in Guangzhou. I am so grateful that the God who calls us to adoption walks with us every step of the way. When it seems too hard, when we just want to go home, or when our hearts are broken for our little ones, He is there. His Spirit gently reminds us to take joy in the smallest step forward, to see beauty in the foreign sights surrounding us, to give our broken hearts to Him for healing.
Janky play place at the restaurant