July 9th

When Julia awoke today, she again pouted, whimpered and teared up. But this time she cried. As I went to get her bottle Nick said she felt like she had a fever. I took her temperature and she did have a low-grade fever. I gave her some children's motrin.

After her bath (which she cries at first, but likes after about 20 seconds of crying) we headed to breakfast. I didn't use the carrier, I wanted to see how she would do. She did good, and we even got a few smiles. She took another small bottle, ate some bites of oatmeal, watermelon.

After breakfast we went back to the room, as i was trying to pick up the morning clutter, I noticed Jake and Grant playing with THEIR toys and she was in the middle of them. She ended up falling asleep in their room and napped about 3 hours.

After her nap, i made her some noodles with garlic powder, butter and parmesan cheese. She loved them. She has passed the test of being a true, Cracchiolo.

It was nice to have a laid-back morning and early afternoon. However, there was more business to be done, so it was off to get her passport applied for.

I wanted to mention that the paperwork offices are further from our hotel than other hotels used for adoption. It takes about 40 minutes each way with traffic. From what I heard yesterday from another family, our hotel offers a lot more than other hotels they use for adopting at the same cost per night. I am so thankful that Marilyn, our dossier specialist recommended this hotel. We really enjoy staying here. Even Julia likes it!

After finishing up with the passport office, we came back to the hotel. Eva and our driver (i don't remember his name right now) surprised us with a stroller from his family to borrow while in Guangzhou. We really didn't want to have to haul a stroller with us on this trip. We are here until July 19th, so there is plenty of time and mall walking to try it out.

We needed to get a few more things at the supermarket we couldn't find before, and Eva was kind and offered to go. After shopping we and especially, Julia were wiped out. Her fever was back up again, too. As I was getting her bottle warmed she had fallen asleep on Grant.

With the exception of Julia not feeling good, it was another great day. She fits right in.

I also wanted to share this with you since it keeps happening to us here. Since we are dealing with all this paperwork, her Travel Approval picture is in her folder. Everyone that see's her picture looks at the picure, then Nick and says, "she look just like her daddy!" :-) We all love to hear them say that and Nick has a very proud grin on his face. A match or referral made in Heaven? I'm thinking so.