The Lacher Family

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Hong Kong! We are currently sitting in a dark hotel room listening to Chris Tomlin praise music while Julia naps in her crib. The hotel here is VERY nice and it is attached to the airport. We walked over there after breakfast just to get the lay of the land for tomorrow. The US could learn a lot from Asia – all the luggage carts here and in China are free of charge to use, and everyone is always helpful and friendly.

Yesterday was…interesting. Julia did not do the greatest on the train. Dan pretty much stood the whole two hour ride and held her. She did sleep for awhile but other than that was wailing. The view was gorgeous, especially seeing the high rise buildings of Hong Kong against a backdrop of mountains. Alas, no pictures of this as the camera was stowed overhead and Dan’s camera phone was in his pocket. Disturbing Julia’s fragile slumber was not worth the photo opp. When we departed the train, a very nice Chinese man offered to help us with our luggage but Dan was able to make it work. He offered some friendly suggestions for us for our next train ride – more food and toys for Julia, and to dress her warmer. Par for the course around here. He was very friendly and helpful though, and wished us well on our journey. He also pointed us in the direction of the money exchange so we could get Hong Kong dollars. Then it was off to the taxi queue. The good news is that it was outside, so we were able to get fresh air and the weather is very comfortable here. The bad news – I had to hold Julia so Dan could manage the bags and she was completely flipped out. Wailing, screaming, clawing at her skin, and trying to throw herself out of my arms – all while everyone else in line is staring at us. Fun stuff. Yesterday was a very proud day for me to be married to Dan. During our time in line he had his backpack, 4 suitcases, and the diaper bag so I could carry Julia. He commented that we both had our hands full, ha. Once we got in the cab and the fresh air was blowing on Julia (and she was back in Daddy’s arms) she relaxed considerably, and by the time we got to the hotel she was actually cooing and talking with us again. We have noticed that although the freakouts still come at unpredictable moments, she is able to recover from them a lot faster. A few days ago, the trauma of the train experience would have set her back the rest of the day. We are so thankful to see these small bits of progress, because they add up to major changes in the long run. I should mention the cab ride was gorgeous. We drove on two very large bridges that are beautiful at night – first was the Ting Kau Bridge and then the Tsing Ma Bridge (thank you Google!)

We got to the room and Julia played on the floor while we quickly got settled. Then we made her a bottle, got her down rather quickly, and we went right to bed as well, as it was a little after 9 by this point. Julia awoke at about 1:15am and I thought it was going to be a rerun of the previous night. We made her a bottle and then I actually was able to lay her down and pat her bottom until she fell asleep. It took quite a while. She would start to drift off and then suddenly jerk. I think her belly was hurting – she was behaving very similarly to the way small babies do when they are constipated and it had been a couple of days for her. Thankfully the fruit and juice we have been giving her have helped as she was able to go this morning after breakfast. Anyway, once she was asleep we all slept until about 7:30 this morning.

Today has been good. She ate a ton of watermelon at breakfast, as well as about half a container of yogurt and some pancake. She is fond of throwing food on the floor. I am trying to teach her not to do that but she is good at pretending she doesn’t hear you if she is set on doing (or not doing) something. She did the same thing in Guangzhou. Helen (our guide) was speaking to her in Mandarin and she was completely paying attention to her. As soon as Helen started telling her she needed to drink more water (a common remedy for feeling better in terms of her skin, etc.) Julia looked away and then didn’t listen to Helen again! I can’t help but think of her original referral information: “quiet but sometimes obstinate.” We are certainly seeing that at times!

We had a big moment after breakfast this morning. We were all playing on the floor together. I stretched my legs out in a V and she crawled over to me and gave me a cuddle! This is the first time she has approached me in that manner. Praise God! It was awesome. Then we played a little game where I would support her as she stood and then she would all of a sudden buckle her legs and fall on her bottom. She thinks it is hilarious. So, as with anything else that gets a positive reaction from her, we play it over and over. Her giggles and smiles are like candy for us and we do what we can to get them.

I think she may have yet another tooth trying to come through, which will bring her total up to 13, but I haven’t been able to get a complete look yet. Her nails also need cutting again already but we are not eager to tackle that. And don’t even ask about her toenails, which we haven’t touched yet. Clearly trimming nails in the orphanage was not a pleasant experience. I am hoping once we are home I can use Emily and Norah as examples to show her that it doesn’t have to be traumatic. When the girls were smaller I would cut them while they were nursing, but we do not want to risk linking nail trimming with food with her as the consequences could be severe.

We are all checked in for our flights. Now to just get mentally prepared. We know that tomorrow is going to be a very long day. Extra prayers that Julia would be able to relax and have a joyful day would be much appreciated.