Getting adjusted

Short version: 
Alexis is a great sleeper
She is gradually eating better
We are totally charmed by her
Nanchang is incredibly hot, humid and crowded
Today we went to Wal-Mart here in Nanchang
We feel somewhat clueless; Alexis seems to be giving us clues, but we are a bit slow on determining what they are
We are getting to know the other families better and enjoying them

Long version:
Alexis slept well last night.   She went to bed about 8pm and woke up about 2:30am.  After feeding and comforting her she was finally back to sleep about 1 1/2 - 2 hours later and slept soundly until about 8:45am.  We enjoyed a video Skype with Marilyn's family and introduced Alexis to her adoring fans.  There is an amazing breakfast buffet here at the hotel as there was at our Beijing hotel, but this morning our focus was clearly directed at trying to find out what Alexis could and would eat.  Although we expected her to love conjee (over-boiled watery rice), she seemed a bit mediocre on it this morning. 

After breakfast our group went to the Notary Office (a ten minute drive) with our passports and adoption certificates in hand.  We had a very brief meeting with an official who asked a few questions and then we signed a document.  As usual, we really didn't know what we were doing - we just followed our guide's directions.  Then we went shopping at Wal-Mart.  It was so funny to see the normal Wal-Mart signs (blue with the yellow flower-like symbol) but with Chinese characters.  It was also quite amazing to explore the food department as the products of the meat counters, etc were TOTALLY different than those in the states.  Surprisingly, it was very hard to find paper towels and they had a small selection.  They must not be used much here.

We spent the afternoon in the room and Alexis took a good, long nap.  She is so sweet and likes to babble a lot.  She makes us laugh and then laughs because we are laughing at her.  She likes to snuggle and be kissed - not a problem for us!  We are really trying to decipher what she seems so intent on trying to communicate with us through her babbling and signs.  Hopefully we will understand more and more as time goes on.

We walked to dinner with 2 other families from our group.  It was so interesting to experience the crowded streets of Nanchang with their pungent smells, many lights and various sounds (such constant horn-honking that it would put Washington D.C. to shame).  There were bicycles and scooters everywhere, and repair shops operating at full speed even at 7:30 at night with bicycles and scooters overflowing onto the streets and people all working by flashlight.  There are few traffic lights or street crossings in our section of the city, but things work.  The basic rule appears to be that everyone (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians) states their intentions by starting to go in the direction they want and whoever most emphatically states their intentions gets the right of way.  When we were crossing the street, we would wait for a small break in traffic on our side of the street and start walking across.  Then we'd negotiate are way in front of the oncoming traffic.

Alexis tolerated her bath better tonight - daddy was speedy and she was well-distracted by bath toys.  She also ate much better this afternoon and tonight (daddy prepared the formula).  Maybe daddy is the secret for things going better.  We are really thrilled that she seems to be attaching well to both of us.

Note from Malcolm: As you can see from today's pictures, Marilyn is doing a better job of taking photos.  I'll have to be a more purposeful photographer so you can see Marilyn in action as an amazing mom.