Lulu update:

Just like big sister did, Lulu has giardia, a common parasitic disease. Both girls had watched , riveted, as I prepared the stool sample--not quite as yucky a procedure as you might imagine, but yucky enough. Libby was quite excited that it resulted in a diagnosis that will require Lulu to take bad-tasting medicine.

Lulu has met her gastroenterologist, Dr. Maureen Jonas. She is Libby's liver doc, too. Dr. Jonas said Lulu looks very healthy, her liver functions are normal, and, like Libby, she simply has to have her blood checked every six months or so. Whoohoo!

For the past few mornings I've been meeting with Libby's wonderful teacher, Lai Chan, who is translating "Lulu's book" (the hand-written and illustrated journal we were given when we met Lulu for the first time) for me. We're trying to work on one page at a time, with Lai Chan translating, and me writing down what she says. So far we've learned that the book was lovingly put together by Lulu's teacher, whose family name, like Lulu's, is Guo. I think this indicates she must be a "graduate" of the Behai orphanage, now working there. It is going to be fascinating, learning about Lulu's life in Behai. I feel profoundly grateful to have this book--a true treasure.

Slowly, slowly, I'm waking up to my former life, Before Lulu and Nanning. I've been able to talk and email with some friends, and even had the pleasure of a delightful evening out with Anne, Lou, and their beautiful daughters. It was such a treat participating in interesting adult conversation, and at the same time, enjoying the company of four adorable and spirited (but impeccably behaved!) Chinese girls (my two, and A & L's two).

So I feel I'm on the way back to life as I knew it--with the added joy of my little Lulu!
Good night!