Ruby is now an American

Today we had our appointment at the US Consulate. Yeah! Ruby Rebekah Anmeng Olson is now an American citizen!! It was our last paperwork appointment and now we can stop carrying all the paperwork we had to bring. Ruby played well with several of the other children waiting with their parents for their number to be called.

Jack, Elliana and Audrey are really enjoying their bonding time with their new sister. They love to play with her and make her laugh. The kids have spent a lot of their time with other families' children. They swim, play games, get food and hang out together. It has been great that they made such wonderful friends. All the families we are with are wonderful. We will definitely be keeping in touch with them and hopefully have reunions from time to time.

Ruby's personality is really shining more and more everyday as she becomes more comfortable with us. She is not hesitant to play or to take toys away from bigger kids...and they are ALL bigger than her. She also is not shy and will go right up to strangers if she sees they have snacks or interesting looking toys. She does not get upset easily unless she's tired, but then if daddy holds her she is usually asleep within 45 seconds. She is very self entertaining (not that she's had the opportunity much), and loves to play with just about anything. She is a very curious little girl and seems to enjoy learning new things. Everyday she is more smiley and she's laughing now. She is beginning to look to us for reassurance when she is scared or hurt.

We continue to feed her very bland food and not much of a variety per their recommendations due to her GI issues. We branched out a bit tonight for dinner as we went for Italian. We are trying not to upset her system because a 14 hour plane ride with a child with a miserable tummy does not sound fun! Actually, a 14 hour plane ride with a small child does not sound fun at all! Thankfully, we are flying back with a few other families in our group so the support will be good.

Some interesting observations:
1. There are no overweight Chinese people. We figure it has a lot to do with eating off of salad size plates.
2. A lot of Chinese people smoke, I mean a lot!
3. Chinese people don't take turns. They just go and cut in front of you. Despite this cultural difference, everyone has been very kind to us.
4. Their snack selection in this country is poor. Probably another reason they are not overweight! Chicken feet and pigs ears just do not fulfill my crunch cravings.
5. Again, it's a miracle we have not been in an accident yet. The drivers are crazy!! And when crossing the street, cars do not stop for pedestrians...even babies. They pull right up to you and will even honk.