Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny!

We've had Libby for a whole week now. We've learned so much in such a short time. We know when she's tired and when she's hungry - she cries before both. We know that she wants to be close to us before she sleeps. We know where her tickle spots are. We know what makes her giggle. We know she likes to look out of the window of the bus. We know she is still not sure about long periods of eye contact so she'll stare at us when we're not looking. We know she likes to stand even though she's not strong enough to pull up. We know she likes texture and different fabrics - she'll touch them for 10-15 minutes at a time. We know she's on the verge of teething. We know she likes to hear herself chatter. We know she knows the Chinese word for "clap" and will clap when it's spoken. We know she's not ready to try new foods. We know her favorite position to sleep in. We know she likes to suck anything silky when she's tired. We know she's still uncertain about kisses.... And the list goes on.

Billy loves to hug and kiss her - especially when she first wakes up. I love to find her staring at me, studying my face. And I love to feed her.

Today was Libby's doctor appointment. China requires the babies to be checked by a doctor before leaving the country. It's really just a formality as they really don't check anything very thoroughly. Libby cried when we laid her down to have her mongolian spots documented. She cried when she was laid down to be weighed and she wimpered when the tongue depressor was inserted into her mouth. But she was a trooper and passed the test.

We shopped a little more on Shamian Island after that. And now we're back in the hotel just chilling out.

I'm feeling better today, but I have developed a dry cough. I think it's just allergies and air pollution related because other than the cough I'm feeling fine.

Billy's getting geared up for his trip to Xu Wen. One of the dads is a pastor, one is in the military, and Billy is self-employed - so the people who need to approve this trip to the orphanage seem a little cautious. They are asking questions about why these men want to go the orphanage. Pray that if the Lord is willing, these dads will be given permission to travel. If they don't get to go we will trust in the Lord's protection.

This afternoon is the long set of paperwork. Billy will watch Libby while I go down for the meeting. It will probably last about 2 hours.

Well, that's all folks!

Love,

The Footes