More questions for David.  He also sent a couple of videos.  He e-mailed the boys and told them Mei loves to eat and gets excited every time they leave the room because she thinks they are going to the restaurant!  By the way, Zhou (pronounced Joe) is our adoption agencies guide that goes with all of the families to China.  He is a life saver and handles most of the travel details.  Lorie

Anything interesting planned for the next couple of days?  We are going to the zoo today and to a nearby city on Sunday that is "very old with history and Chinese culture" as Zhou says.

Is Mei drinking the formula I sent?  Mei loves her "bots".  I mix 3 scoops of formula (she is talking in her sleep right now - very sweet) and 1-1.5 caps fulls of rice cereal and then fill it with water.  Does she like other stuff to drink (juice? water?)  We take her sippy cup with pedialite with us when we leave and she takes drinks from it.  Are the bottles with the cut nipple working?  Yes, very well.

What were the pictures y'all were looking at when you first got her?  Did the orphanage send a photo book?  The orphanage sent what I guess is her progress report.  It is all in Chinese but has lots of pictures.

Are you trying any Mandarin with her and does she seem to understand you?  I've only used "bu yao" once and it works very well.  (bu yao means I don't want you to do that)

Are you showing her any signs for things (bathroom, drink)?  Yes, we have begun with the signs.  She got "eat" very quickly.  She tugs at her pants to let us know she needs to go potty but we will work on that also.  We are also working on "more", "milk", and "juice".

Does she call you anything?  Isn't dad in Mandarin "baba"? Not yet but she has our undivided attention so she hasn't had to say much.  I made a folder of photos on my laptop and we look at them often.  She recognizes  you every time.  Tell Jordan his name must mean foot       in Chinese because she looks at her foot and          wiggles it whenever I say his name.

Are y'all getting stared at when you go out?  Not too badly.  People look but they usually smile and nod when I make eye contact.  Everyone is very nice so far but very direct.

What is your overall impression of China so far?  I like it but it is very different.  Remind me to tell you about the utility construction outside the Adoption Affairs building.  Crazy.  I think we have some pictures as well.

I am going to play with the video so I will be at my computer.  Email me if you have a chance.                David & Mei in Zhengzhou