1. We took a normal Chinese train 5 hrs yesterday from Nanning to Guilin. That was great, glad we did it. Happy also to get off and back into a lovely hotel!
2. Tayler aka Mimi LOVES dave. First she called him Baba, but now its Mama. She has now warmed up to Caitlin. I assume I am next. Luckily I am patient. We have decided I am playing the role of Don Draper (in Mad Men), only the fatherly role, that is. Eg. Provider (of food from buffet), distant figure. Dave is playing the role of Betty, without any paid assistance (or the intense beauty regimens). His arms are tired.
3. Personality wise, Mimi (Tayler) oves to laugh, play little games (eg pretend to feed you, swipe it away and eat it herself). She loves to walk in lobby of hotel, swinging her arms and smiling. She loves to take lids off water bottles and dump them out. Loves the stacking toys. She is a fantastic sleeper. First night she told us when she was tired (pointed at crib). Next 2 nights I told her it was bedtime (in Cantonese, are you impressed?) and she walked to the crib, and Dave settled her in and sat next to her until she slept. Then she slept til the morning. She used to have a bath 2x a day, and loves the few we have given her. (ok, the 2 baths in 3 days which is about 4 too few. Our guide was NOT impressed we didn't give her a bath the first night. Hey, if she were older and we shared a language she would say, "But I had one LAST night!!") Those of you who know our daily childrearing know the whole-straight-to-own-crib and frequent child washing are not our prior style. IE given our nomadic early-parent lifestlye C didn't have a crib. We are trying not to mess up the sleeping. Sleep experts out there, all advice appreciated! (how often have you been dying to smarten us up on this subject before??? this is your chance). She was also toilet trained. She does not like the diapers. We just can't manage the holding technique to put her on the toilet, partly because we have Western toilets in the hotels. Ok and partly because we have no idea what we are doing. We don't care if she regresses on this, really. She is 17 months old, come on! She loves to eat. Prefers familiar foods (I guess they are familiar...ie not Western foods). Likes congee but yesterday and today we couldn't get it and she is eating normal enough soft foods plus formula. Loves watermelon and grapes. She is helpful (when in the mood) re dressing. She seems very healthy and happy (apart from missing her foster mama). She is shorter and plumper that Caitlin was at the same age. Smaller feet even than C's at 12 months. Then again, C now wears a women's 5. Mimi has a great smile and crinkles up her eyes when she is happy. Infectious giggles. She has 10 teeth. Can drink out of most things (eg bottles, straws, juice boxes [likes to assemble by herSELF!], regular water bottles, cups with help). Does not use utensils (ie chopsticks) but likes to feed herself or for us to feed her with chopsticks. Sometimes wipes her mouth on a napkin when she is done (very cute). Loves cellphones (are you all laughing now, since we don't have one?) -- listed as her favorite toy on info we received. Managed to trade 2 grapes for a phone from someone on the train, then turned on the music. Tried to take a picture with it.
4. We toured a giant cave (0.5 km walk around it) this am with new guide. Tomorrow is long day, including 4-5 hour boat ride. Will be beautiful. Hot. Yesterday was 35 degrees, tomorrow maybe 32. A bit humid. We are staying here in Guilin (google it) which is quite touristy. IE not like the train. Had eggs sunny side over this am for example.
5. Dave and C are swimming now in the pool. If Mimi wakes up I am ready for the screaming!
Jenn
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