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(More pics above from Chengdu Panda Breeding Center.)

Well, now no one really posted and I realized it's because we posted the last one in the middle of the night.

Today was yet another really busy day. I am still curious why we couldn't get the adoption certificate today but tomorrow it is.

After the last post, we all went swimming. That was a blast and James (Lie Lie) loved it but got cold fast. So we went to lunch. OF course we did. We all overate at each meal because we kept thinking we wouldn't like the next meal. But I have to say here in Chengdu the food rocks. Even Joseph has tried some new things. Sichuan beef, a little dry green beans and ....green tea. He's also very loving to his little de de (little brother).

Lie Lie is something else. He's far larger then we thought. He's out of 18 months and easily in 24 months. We had to buy him new clothes but only heavy weight ones as it's autumn even though it's 70 degrees out. The stores do not have summer clothes out and everyone is wearing long sleeves and we are wearing summer clothes! It is 76 degrees and humid. Odd.

Lie Lie does have some typical orphange behaviors. He's hoarding food. He doesn't stop eating. We have to learn how to figure out when he's truly full. He would eat until he threw up if we let him. Tonight his tummy ached.

He's also very very attached to Daddy. It's sometimes hard on Joseph and I but he is making more eye contact and smiling at us. And he has no problems with touching or hugs. When Joe and Joseph left for the swimsuit hunt, he cried but then he was good.

Late afternoon we went to a huge beautiful plaza with the biggest statue of Chairman Mao ever. We were the tourist attraction until we met another couple adopting from the Netherlands that we saw at the Civil Affairs Office. Joseph and Lie Lie got to run around and play with toys. They also had their first battle over one of those drum things. But it all worked out -- we bought another. Yes, we spoiled Joseph and now we'll spoil Lie Lie.

We also learned that Lie Lie is speaking quietly some things. He's saying car. But we learned the word "DA". It means to beat. It's a kid way of saying I'll get you playfully. He's was hitting Joseph nicely alot. It was very brotherly! Joseph is learning more Mandarin. He was counting 1,2 3 in Mandarin today at the park. Amazing.

Tonight we ate at a crazy fast food dumpling type of place. Joseph was not happy. He's exhausted. And his throat is scratchy. But the rest of us ate all kinds of crazy crazy stuff. I think my new favorite are fried sticky rice and fried wheat. It's really really good. I have to start taking pictures of the beautiful food. Lie Lie loves anything with eggs.

JOe and Joseph are ending the night by watching --- JAPANESE TV. The game shows are a riot. Lie Lie goes to bed easy. For now.

Ok. off to bed we are exhausted.

Love, Kelly, Joe and Joseph