Thank you all for continuing to pray for us the last two days. Both Lillian and I are definitely feeling better. Our fever is gone but our stomachs still continue to give us fits. Jason started feeling off yesterday, and he was pretty much down for the count today. Thankfully, we have always had one parent who feels well enough to care for everyone and Lizzie, Caroline, and Mia Grace have stayed healthy. Please continue to pray they stay that way and that Jason’s stomach heals quickly. Thank you!!

Last night I fell asleep before I was able to blog, so I will catch you up on our day yesterday (Saturday) and then fill you in on today. So many firsts are happening around here – it’s been a fun 48 hours!

Yesterday morning started with a bottle and long hug from Daddy. Mia Grace loves to get quiet and still and nestle in close. We are soaking in having a little one again who fits into the crook of your arm.

Our big outing of the day involved going to see the 2000 year old tomb of a king who ruled and reigned in the Guangdong province. What was the king’s name? I have no idea. What were his feats or accomplishments? I have no idea on that end either. To be honest, it sounded like a great way to pass the time (we’ve only been here in Guangzhou now for 8 days with five more to go, but who’s counting??), and if something has been around for two thousand years, I thought it was probably worth seeing, especially since I know so very little about Chinese history (I sound like a great home school mom, don’t I? Maybe I should have my Aunt Ann come in and teach history instead of her niece ).

So here we are at the tomb:

And here are the dead king’s teeth…sorry, gross, I know, but I figured if I had to see them, you should have to too..

After the tomb, our guide took us to the Pearl Market. I was expecting a few stalls with merchants selling pearls but was amazed to step into a multi-leveled building the size of the Galleria with store after store of merchants selling every kind of gem imaginable. The girls were in awe and Jason was very nervous with so many girls around him who all like jewelry!

But the highlight of the day was giving Mia Grace her very first taste of french fries. And where else do you go for your first taste of fries but McDonalds?! We are tried and true Chick-fil-A fans back home, but there are limits to how much Chinese food one can stomach, and McDonalds sounded like a treat for all of us (something I would never have expected myself to say 🙂

To say the least, MG LOVED her fries and ate, or should I say gnawed, every last one. I had to pry the last remaining stub of a fry out of her hands after an hour.

But the real firsts came today (Sunday) after nap time. We walked down to the hotel pool to watch L, L, and C swim, and as we approached the side of the pool, MG’s eyes got wider and wider and wider. And when Caroline jumped in right in front of her, Mia Grace must have jumped a foot in my arms. I could feel her little heart racing underneath her shirt. I think the sight of a large body of water with people jumping in and disappearing underneath the surface with a loud SPLASH absolutely startled and amazed her.

It only took about 30 minutes, though, for her curiosity to overcome her fear. We made our way down to the baby pool and she stood on the edge looking in. All of a sudden, she was trying to climb over the ledge and hoist herself into the pool! All this willpower from a little thing who has yet to really smile or give us more than a tiny peep for a sound!

So off came her clothes and into the pool went MG in her diaper…and she loves every second of it!

Staring at the pool from a distance…

Getting in the pool with Lils:

Kendall, Kathy, and Jenny look out: you have another Baker swimmer on their way to your house!

But the best “first” of all came when we pulled her out of the pool and wrapped her in a towel to dry her off. As I laid her down to change her diaper, Jason began to tickle her tummy and she began to…laugh…for the very first time with our family. We all stopped and looked at each other in awe. Jason has tickled her tummy many times before, but she remains completely silent through it all or will even push his hand away. But this time, she laughed! And I can truly say it was one of the best sounds I have ever heard:

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We are still waiting for her to smile – but we know now she has it in her! Praying for many more laughs to come,
Much love,
The Baker 6