Humble Beginnings

First off kudos to the comment section. I am the person who always is in shock when people tell me they get up in the night time hours because they can't sleep. Well I am now one of those people. Each morning I wake up about 3:30 and can't get back to sleep. Unfortunately, to check the computer I have to wake Steve up so he can type some super duper secret password into his computer that involves about 8 levels of security. He has therefore, unvoluntarily (but quite lovingly) become part of my inability to sleep. We have enjoyed reading your posts immensely. Thank you for the updates on your own lives and your very sweet, but undeserved kind comments about us. Thank you is also in order to the Gallaghers for providing the early morning movie viewing.
Today, as it says in our blog title for the day, is about humble beginnings. We spent the day with our guide and driver returning to Liam's hometown. He lives in the province of Hunan which would be the equivalent to the state of Missouri. He was born in Loudi which would be like St. Louis. The adoptions take place in Changsha which would be like going to the state capitol of Jeff City. We drove about 2.5 hours to return to his roots. It is a very personal part of Liam's story and one we have opted not to tell on his behalf. It will be his, and his alone, to tell if he ever should choose. Steve and I have seen a lot today and can't really come up with the words to describe what we have seen. Yesterday Liam took a little longer nap than he had been. I said to Steve that he needed some extra rest to process all of these new experiences. I kinda feel the same way. I don't know if I will ever have the words to describe all we have witnessed.
On a lighter note, we stopped at several places throughout Loudi. It was so sweet as several children were giddy to come up to us and practice their English. Vicky said they begin learning English in the third grade. We took our guide and driver to lunch and enjoyed some really authentic Chinese food. The only thing harder than eating with chopsticks is trying to feed a 2 year old with chopsticks. On the way in we noticed a really cool Koi pond. On the way out, we watched with jaws dropped as we watched someone come out of the kitchen to scoop a bowl full of water OUT OF THE KOI POND. I am not sure our Pepto Bismol preventative measures will help us out of this one?!?
Melissa and Julie; we had been warned from another family not to put Liam on the hotel floor as it was pretty yucky. Are you kidding me? I had been waiting over 3 months to get him on the floor. On day one, we used the blanket that came with his crib and he stayed on it for the most part. A little more than 72 hours later, he has moved himself from where he started by the windows (in the Dolton) and is now over by the hall to the bathroom. He has amazed us both!
I have to admit that I am disppointed in myself that I am homesick so soon. Who am I kidding? I miss my kids when I am at work for the day, would prefer to hang out in the neighborhood to going out on the town and could eat peanut butter and jelly every day for lunch. Of course I am homesick. But yes, of course I know that I had to come here to bring Liam into our lives. I told Steve that next time we adopt, let's pick a country where they bring the kid's to us. Hmmmm, did I say next time??? Good night from Changsha.
Love, Paige, Steve and Liam

Little worried how the whole carseat thing is going to go

Vicky our guide and Zhou our driver

Sweet Chinese children practicing their English

Balloons are almost as funny as my daddy
My favorite fish oil, oops, I mean rice cookies