Thursday PM

We learned a lot today. For one thing, Xiaozi does NOT like rain. The screaming and flailing when we got caught in a rainstorm with no umbrella was on the same scale as when we first left the building on Gotcha Day. Fortunately, Nai-nai and I had gotten separated from the group and had no idea where everyone else was as we were getting rained on, with Xiaozi screaming. Fun times.

Each day Xiaozi is getting more and more comfortable with us. He is collecting possessions at a furious rate (Lightening McQueen; Mickey Mouse phone that plays the most annoying music, but when he plays the music Mama dances, so we hear the music a lot, the little dog Kathie and Ella Jiao gave him, several sticker books, a Chinese flag, two Olympic mascot key chains, a three day old orange...) At least once a day he pulls everything out of his backpack and inventories it all. I think he can't believe it's all his.

We spent the day at the Six Banyons temple and the Chen family temple. Not all that much fun for the kids. Allie was very proud of herself for using the "squatty potty". The little ones were hungry and bored. I'd love to have time to explore the Chen family temple in depth, but that will have to be on another trip. After the temple, we got caught in the rain, and Xiaozi melted down. Poor baby. I wonder if he'd ever been in the rain before. Doesn't seem like it. Who knows what he was thinking.

He's talking more and more, and he's very patient with us as we try to figure out what he's saying. Between my limited Mandarin and hand gestures, he understands most of what I tell him. His little personality is starting to appear. He has dimples. And a very mischevious smile. Until today he had only been sharing that with me, but today the rest of the family started to see his smile and dimples. In the bathroom mirror, he pointed out "Xiaozi, Mama, Nai-nai and A-yi" He's very proud of himself when he makes us laugh.

He's willing to try any food we set in front of him. That's probably what is upsetting his stomach. He's had diarrhea for the past three days. Still has an appetite, and has no other symptoms, but he's eating Cheerios, raisins, Gummy bears, and lots of other things he probably hasn't seen before. Yesterday he was very happy when we ate at McDonalds (which he recognized from the sign and started saying "Mac Don al" very excitedly.) He is also familiar with "chocolee" (chocolate) and "culuh" (Coke). Commercials on tv? Can't imagine those foods are too prevalent at the orphanage.