A GREAT BONDING DAY

 July 11, 2012
What a long day!!!!  We had to take a train to Lily Kate's small village (AKA home of 6 million people) to apply for her passport.  The 8 hours on the train were not as bad as we thought they would be.  There is another little boy from her orphanage so they made the trip with us, along with an adoption representative.  We were the only non-Chinese in the train stations and on the trains.  It is unbelievable how many stares you get from people.  This part of China does not get tourists so we are a real novelty.
    On the train Lily Kate let Dave play with her which was awesome.  She even smiled at him and shared her toys with him.  It is strange how these orphans choose one person to bond with and then slowly warm up to everyone else.  He even took her out of the crib this morning.   She also really warmed up to Abby and Drew on the train. 
     Temper tantrums--yes, we saw yesterday that she can have them.  Although she is VERY tiny (most clothes I brought are way too big on her) we saw that two year olds are the same everywhere.  Look at the picture with the sour face--that is the "I am not getting what I want" face.  It was so cute. 
     We also realized that a caregiver must have snuck her sips of Coca Cola because when I opened a soda on the train, she threw a "mini" tantrum because she really wanted some.  When the can had about half a sip left I gave it to her and it made her happy.  We also learned that she does not like the Chinese KFC which we went to yesterday.  It was too spicy for all of us.
     She smiles all the time now.  Each day it is so special to see a little more of her sweet personality come out.  On the train, she took such good care of her friend Jake.  She shared all her food and toys then got so worried when Jake got upset and started crying.  She acts like a big sister to him.
     Today is just  relaxing day at the hotel.  Later we complete paperwork and then tomorrow fly out to Guanghou.