Fleece as White as Snow

You can see this blanket that Madison has recently become attached to. She's had it for quite some time - but as of late she's been carrying it around and having it in bed with her. It is in the shape of a lamb, and something that we've had as long as we've had Madison: we actually received this in Nanning, China. Daddy remembers one of our many breakfasts at the Majestic Hotel (also known as the Mingyuan Xindu Hotel). Madison, Mommy and Daddy were eating dragon fruit and tater tots (part of a balanced breakfast!). We were eating more food than that - I think there was congee around as well, but there were some other good foods too. We always had enough to eat - it's just that there were occasionally some unusual items on the buffet. The dragon fruit was one of Daddy's favorites, and we found it really funny that there we got tater tots for breakfast, halfway across the world. This was not long after "Napoleon Dynamite," which made tater tots one of the cooler things to have on a menu. You going to eat your tots?

Anyway, as we were having one of our first meals together, another adoptive family came into the hotel restaurant. They were returning to China to adopt another girl, and they were also bringing along another daughter that they had previously adopted from China. It was this daughter who was saving up money, and wanted to give Madison - and all the other little girls - a special gift. It was a lamb blanket that we've held onto ever since. It is a very special gift, one that we've treasured for a few years now. It's neat to see Madison with it so often now, because it brings back wonderful memories of our adventure of a lifetime.

Today was a big day at church, one where Madison visited for the second service. It is always such a joy to see Mommy and Madison walk in the office, and today was no different. Mommy went to be prayed for upstairs, as today's service marked the end of the fasting. To that extent, there was much rejoicing and eating of chocolates and so forth.

Mommy and Daddy didn't do much of that when we got home from church, though. It was such a pretty day outside, but we didn't have the strength to do much, as we were pretty busy. We just collapsed on the couch and pretty much fell asleep. However, we got up a little later, because it was time to return to church. There was another service tonight, one that Mommy and Daddy actually got to sit and enjoy without having to work - so we left Madison with Ye-Ye and Nana for a bit.

Madison had a great time there. Ye-Ye and Nana endured a few episodes of Strawberry Shortcake, which Madison was enthralled with. I'm treading carefully in that direction right now: we don't want to have to go out and collect a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake stuff, and yet Madison clearly really likes the fruity girl. One neat thing is this: there was a Strawberry Shortcake bicycle donated to Madison last year, one that she hasn't seen yet. Ye-Ye and Nana have it in their basement, and we'll be giving it to her soon when the weather starts getting warmer. That'll be a really great moment!

THE SHREK CHIA CAM

1/30/11

1.30.11: We've got some sprouts and leaves on the top of his head now, and Shrek's hair seems to be getting fuller. This probably accounts for the big grin you see on his face with this frontal shot. Again, I can't stress enough how brilliant Mommy was by suggesting we plant some seeds in his nose!

Anything but Congee

Another chilly day - and another one to spend indoors! Mommy made us oatmeal this morning, and I can't say enough how perfect that was. It had raisins and brown sugar, and boy was it yummy. Madison loved the raisins!

This is the sort of weather that calls for oatmeal - doesn't it? It also calls for Cream of Wheat, and even good old fashioned Southern grits! But no congee. No, I think I'll pass on congee. What exactly is congee, you ask?

You're looking at it. This was Madison's diet for about a year in the orphanage. Doesn't it look just tasty? Go ahead, you can be honest.

Daddy tried some when we were in China and didn't think the most of it. I guess it is an acquired taste. According to my recent studies, "To make congee, white rice is boiled in many times its weight of water for a long time until the rice breaks down and becomes a fairly viscous white porridge. Congees made in other regions may use different types of rice with different quantities of water, thus resulting in a thicker or more viscous product."

Basically, it's this white mush. We had many opportunities to sample some congee when we were at various restaurants in China, but it only took one taste test for Daddy to squirm, and then feel really sorry for Madison. Think about it: she ate this stuff for a year! Of course, she didn't know any better. She didn't know that Mommy was a world away, just waiting for someone to make oatmeal for. But as Madison waited herself, each day she'd eat this "viscous product." I'd call it a vicious product. Yuk!

But I imagine people feel that way about children in the South. They probably think, "could you imagine having to eat grits all the time?"

Anyway, breakfast this morning was simple, but perfect! We traveled to the church afterwards to do a little work, and then made a massive trip to the grocery store. We didn't spot any congee, but we did fill that cart up! Madison had a great time identifying the fruits and vegetables, and their colors. Orange pepper! Yellow Banana! Green... what exactly is that thing? Oh, it's an avocado. Mommy picked up a few, because sometime soon we're going to have guacamole. That's one of those words that is just fun to say. Go ahead. Try it: guacamole!

Madison does this thing at the cashier, where she simply has to help out, taking the stuff from the grocery cart and moving it to the conveyor belt. She reaches behind her, and into the cart, and starts complaining if she can't help. Sometimes you literally have to reach in and hand her something, only to watch her hand it back to you seconds later so you can put it by the register!

Anyway, we got home, and Mommy got dinner ready for us. We could tell Madison was tired. It was an early night tonight as Mommy fed her milk, and soon she was sleeping in her arms.

I'm sure she was dreaming of anything but congee.