Is this really only day three???

The good news is that Joy is incredibly cute. The bad news is that we still don't have the picture issue solved. I guess you could read this entry, then go back and look at the pictures of just Mary and Paul in the other entries and see if that was satisfying. Please keep checking, we have a billion photos and will keep trying.

Today, we went to the Chongqing Zoo for a short visit. We saw Pandas, Tigers and Hippos. The zoo is cute and well kept. We had our first day of rainyish weather. Our travel group gets a lot of attention when we are out and about, just for being American. If you add to that our babies, then we get A LOT of attention. Our agency has cards made up for us that say we are from America and adopting a baby and that we will love her. If you show that to the crowd, most of them smile and nod. Sometimes, the "clothing police," ferocious grandmothers, will approach to determine whether you have done an adequate job of dressing your baby warmly. So far, we have passed with flying colors.

This afternoon, we went to Joy's "found" spot where she was discovered before being taken to the orphanage. It is an older part of the city pronounced Wanjaipo, (maybe, the lights are off and I'm going on memory here) and is near the railroad yard. We drove down a road a little like winding Lombard Street. The street has tall apartments on both sides. There is a long market with fruit and meat and vegetables. There are also some small "stores" and businesses, mostly just stalls. Joy was found at the area's laundry service. Seeing her finding spot was very emotional and gave the whole event a more concrete feel. We were happy to have the chance to see the spot, but it was pretty tough.

This evening, all the families had a meal one of the hotel's Chinese restaurants. It was delicious, and not just because our last two dinners were Pizza Hut and McDonald's. The babies mostly say "ma," which means nanny, when they want something. Joy is not shy about stating her desires. There were five babies at our table and it was a bit hilarious to hear the "ma's" all around you.

Here is where I tell you of the wonderful picture we have of Joy eating noodles, and where you remember that we can't post photos.

We bought some new shoes for Joy yesterday. They are really helping her to walk. Babies in the orphanage spend much of their time in walkers. As a result, many of them have very strong stomach muscles, but walk on the tippy toes. It is amazing to see how Joy's walking has improved in just the last 12 hours. This evening after dinner, a few of us hung out in the lobby by the elevators with the babies snacking and eyeing each other. Joy was walking/wobbling unassisted up and down the hall, obviously very pleased with herself. Yes, we have photos of it, and no, we can't post them yet.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a bit of a quieter day. We will visit "Old Town" Chongqing, see the Yangtze riverside and tour the city. The city is huge, 3o million people and is reported to be the biggest metropolitan area in the world. It is a very exciting city to look at.

Love you all and miss you!