West Lake Park

I'm not going to lie; today was tough! Caitlin woke up cranky (even though she slept late), and it didn't get much better from there. She didn't have much of an appetite at breakfast, and all of the things that she really enjoyed yesterday (congee, sweet potato, cheese), she wouldn't touch today. I got a tub of Gerber prunes down her, which was badly needed and I won't go into detail as to why, but I'm sure you can fill in the blanks! But after the prunes she turned her nose up at everything else. Then she started to get her silly personality (I don't know what it is about that restaurant, but she is a different kid when we're there! Paul says we should move her crib in there since she hates our room so much!), and next thing I knew she climbed down off my lap and took off! We hadn't seen her walk more than a step or two, and then all of a sudden she's off like a rocket- and she bolted straight for the front door of the hotel! I think she's just bored with the hotel; she knows there's a bigger and more exciting world outside those doors!

Then Helen came and took our group (we've been combined with another family from a different agency; they're awesome and we're totally loving hanging out with them!) to an amusement park that was in the same park that Paul and I walked through yesterday. The park is calledWest Lake Park, and it's huge and apparently very well known in these parts. In the amusement park we went to an aquarium, then rode a huge ferris wheel, then walked through the park. It was very hot and steamy, and I carried Caitlin in the Mei Tai. We were all sweaty and hot, and it made her cranky all over again.

After the park we all went to lunch together back in that same hotel restaurant (the only place we've eaten since we got here). Caitlin immediately lit up and got silly, but as soon as we left she stiffened up. By the time we got back to the room she was hysterical again! I just don't get it. It was really bad today. She actually got so upset that she threw up all over herself and poor Paul! (Paul's big 'Welcome to Fatherhood' gift!)

I finally got her to sleep (it was way past her naptime, which also was not helping her mood), but every time I tried to lay her down in her crib she'd wake up and scream. I tried several times; I was exhausted, hot, sweaty, and I can't tell you how bad my neck, shoulders and arms are hurting today, and I really needed a break. Plus, she sleeps better in her crib. Once she's asleep in that crib, she's out! I don't think firecrackers or a grenade could wake her up. She really needed a good nap, but I just couldn't get her out of my arms. Finally, she got so mad she, well, let's just say the prunes finally kicked in- with a vengeance! I had to change her, of course, and by then there was no hope of getting her to nap. Plus, it was getting late and I didn't want to mess up her bedtime.

After a major temper tantrum (I'm really beginning to wonder what the neighbors must think is going on in this room!), she actually settled down for a bit and even played with her toys for awhile. She even laughed and giggled and played independently- without clinging to me! It was nice to see her relax a little. Then it wore off. She became cranky and nothing worked to make her happy. And it was only 4:30- too early for dinner or bedtime! Paul and another new daddy had walked back to the supermarket to get some more supplies, so Caitlin and I walked for a bit outside. She cried. We walked the lobby of the hotel several times. She cried. I didn't dare go back up to the room... It was a LONG few hours.

After dinner she had to take another bath. I didn't want to, but we are going to visit her orphanage tomorrow, and after how sweaty and sticky we got today I just had to at least rinse her off. Words cannot describe the screams that came from that child. It's heart-wrenching. After her bath she conked out immediately, and actually went into her crib after only a few tries. I know that's only because she's so darned exhausted and I can't expect such luck again tomorrow, but I'm grateful for what I got!

That's the long and the short of it: cranky kid + hates the room and the bath and diaper changes = very long day.

Ahhhh, the joys of parenthood!

BTW, thank you all for all of your wonderful comments- here on the blog and all the e-mails I've been getting. I'm sorry I can't reply to everyone right now, but I want you to know that I read everything and appreciate all the well-wishes, suggestions and advice! It's so nice to hear from you all!