Catching Up

I know, I know! I've been remiss in my blogging. But the days are so confused here, and sometimes we have to choose between quiet time or fun time for Lily (who is frankly bored with the whole thing) and touching base. Thank heavens for Kristen who is at least keeping the family up to date!!! She and Jeannie have been invaluable!
Today we go for Gracie's physical and visa photo. She still has the "kennel cough" but is otherwise doing very well. We had two days of mom-only, which frustrated everyone, but today spent time in Jeannie's room without me, and is right now hanging out with dad. He's trying very hard to be patient, and said last night he knew Lily was an exception in that she went to him immediately. But we all have to remember that today marks only one week since Grace has been with us.
We are really starting to see her personality. She is definitely 3!!! She can be very mischievous and has a devilish twinkle in her eye when she knows she's doing something she shouldn't! She is quickly learning what "no" means as we find ourselves saying it quite frequently! Gracie's language is coming along. She says all our names, including her own (Gracie, not Xi Dong) when we point to people. She knows boat, bye-bye, love you, potty, water, juice, more (as in food!).
Gracie has some weird behaviors, almost OCD. I've already told you about the slippers. When she goes to get toilet paper after going, she unrolls exactly enough to get to the floor, then she tears at the perforation. If it doesn't rip cleanly she goes to the roll next to it and starts again. I'm trying to get her over that. Our bathrooms at home only have one dispenser!!!
We have received some nice surprises. We got a whole book of pictures and journals from the Half the Sky Foundation of Gracie at school in the orphanage. She looks very happy and stimulated in the photos. Our guide is going to arrange for translation of the journals before we leave. It was so nice to see that she wasn't left in a corner somewhere and that she had friends and adults who cared about her. Last night we got a copy of her "finding notice." This is the ad that ran in the papers searching for her parents. There is a picture and a short notice from March 2005. The ad said she had a big mouth!!! When she cries she does (also when she eats)!
We are all getting a little stir crazy, but can see light at the end of the tunnel. We only have one tour left, the zoo, and the rest is paperwork for the consulate. We're well and can't wait to come home!!!
More info and pictures later.