Dr Bredenberg is on duty …

Well, we are just a pathetic little traveling party. Nothing life threatening, but sad nonetheless.

Rollin really has been flattened by this virus, and little Sydney is having RSV-like wheezing and coughing spells which just wear her out. I think both of them will be fine, but it is hard to be having this unique trip to China affected by sickness. Mom (a true blessing on this trip) and I have to remind ourselves of how vibrant Sydney was the first 4 days, since she has been rather quiet and limp-as-a-noodle (VERY good for cuddling, though). But, her personality is coming back as she gets better, and it gladdens our heart to see her bright smile and energy peek out in spurts between her low spots of fever and coughing. As for Rollin, I am trying to throat-lozenge, foot rub, advil, head-massage him back to health. I pray that the Lord is pleased by our last few days here no matter how we feel physically - we really do want to praise him for the seemlessly smooth adoption process here in China. We have not had one glitch - I pray for the hoping-to-adopt couple we met on the elevator here who got turned away by the Chinese governement because their paperwork wasn't right. They have to go back to the US to get things in order and return to China later. That's really rare with Chinese adoptions, but still - how sobering.

Guangzhou really is an oasis after a long week in Jiangxi. It's quite touristy and international, and the fact that everywhere you go in the hotel and in the streets you see non-Chinese adopting families with Chinese babies makes it truly feel like Adoption Baby City. Literally, every elevator in this 1200-room hotel will be carrying an adopting family with baby in a Sungli, Baby Bjorn, stroller, or hip hammock. All stores are geared to the adopting families and their souvenir/memorabilia needs. Even the hotel, with it's 20+ shops, sells Avent bottles, pacifiers, and Little Tummies Gas Drops! It's really quite surreal to be here, after reading stories over the last year about this common-denominator part of Chinese adoptions for all Americans. We have shopped and bought gifts for Sydney for her next 18 birthdays (a common adoption trend) - little things that she should enjoy as she grows older. Mom and I really enjoyed seeing this tropical climate city as we walked - the weather is quite humid and in the 70's, but we're grateful for the simple treat of carrying Sydney in the Snugli close to our hearts and seeing China.

She just woke herself up with a coughing fit - so sad to hear. When I picked her up, she didn't cry but just kept coughing and trying to gain comfort from my shoulder and my embrace. Neither did she cry when I laid her down and sh-sh'd her to sleep - she just gazed at me as she caught her breath and drifted off. What a difference a week has made. I'm teary just thinking of her. Please pray for her and Rollin - our Lord is a Physician and Comforter, and we are resting in His care.

A few pictures: