In Beijing with a smile!

The weather here should be more winter like, but the sun is shining and it feels like spring! We don't miss the humidity and rain in Changsha, but the food was much more spicy there and is much more plain in Beijing. Mats says he can't have another Chinese dinner for the rest of his life and is insisting we are going to Pizza Hut this evening.
Today Vera-Mei gave me the first smile, when she woke up after her nap. It was a great feeling! She also is much more curious and determined, but still very serious and she thinks a lot. She keeps pointing to different things and wants us to tell the words. She tried drawing and coloured the bed, she constantly tries to make phone calls and fiddles with everything. What a difference a few days make! She seems to be at least partly toilet trained, when we put her at the loo she will wee and poo, but she also uses the nappy when she wants. At the moment she is snacking on dried octopus, included in the flight lunch. She is the only one who appreciate it! Vera-Mei is also stronger, she walks better, doesn't fall as often and her posture is improving every day.
It's amazing how similar this adoption is to Olivia's. We have reminded ourselves over and over again that everything will be different, but it is so much the same. They are both the weakest, shyest, quietest and prettiest (okay, I'm the mum) of the bunch. They have a great appetite and they sleep well (but Vera has nightmares from time to time - and I think she has used a dummy though the orphanage staff didn't tell).
Olivia is so happy and says she only love little sister, not mummy or daddy. She is also very jellous and has cried a few times. I guess it is hard for any child to get a younger sibling, but maybe there is another dimension in the feelings for adopted children. Anyway, most of the time Olivia is very caring and nice to Mei-Mei. Vera is also very fond of Olivia and almost starts to cry when Olivia leaves the room, for example. They have attached very well (but I think Vera could easily change parents today without missing us).
And, thanks to all of you who have written comments here on the blog. It's so nice to know you follow our journal and please comment more!!!