Alligators, Eels, and Snakes, Oh My.

Dinner last night was a challenge of monumental proportions for Grandma Barbara and me. T on the other hand was in seventh heaven! We went to the open seafood market to literally choose what we wanted for dinner last night. I'm so disappointed that we didn't bring the camera because you wouldn't believe the selection! But they would have been inadequate since they would not have caught the lovely aromas of the place - egads. Terrell chose a big slick eel that they took right out of the tank and placed in a plastic bag that we had to carry flipping around until we got to the restaurant. He also chose HUGE scallops - not the pretty little white ones we find at Ukrops already set to cook - oh no, these were still in the shell (who knew scallops came from a shell) with the barnacle thingies still all over them. There was also a big mean looking fish that they tried to sell us but T was pretty sure it was a poisonous variety so he thankfully said no thank you. And I said no to the bottom grubbing mud sucker fish (not its technical name). We saw alligators with their mouths taped closed, snakes, crabs, shrimp as long and around as my forearm, massive fish that flopped out of their tanks and landed on the ground. There were lots of other mysterious looking creatures from the sea that T would likely be able to identify like razor clams and such but not me. And all of this wild sea life was still alive to ensure freshness! Once we had made our selections and climbed the EIGHT flights of stairs to the restaurant we were served all the yummy things we had chosen. My favorite was the beer and saltine crackers. I really will come back from this trip 10 lbs lighter! In my defense I did try to eat the eel but the texture? Nope - couldn't do it. The free range chicken (aka chosen just for us I'm sure - from out back) just didn't do it for me either but the others really seems to like it. I also tried some of the flounder we ordered at the table - the flavor was, well, like flounder, but at that point I really was sticking to the white rice. Our guides are thrilled with the adventurous streak of a couple of the families and T just happens to be in that group so we are truly getting the real China experience - for which I definitely cannot complain!

Jia is doing so well. Thanks for the tips Laura. Mini-meltdown is a good description for what happens every afternoon. I am thankful that it happens between 2-4 pm rather than 2-4 am. I'm beginning to realize its all relative and to be thankful for her many giggles and smiles. She continues to thrive and improve physically. She is holding her head up much better and can sit for longer periods although she is still very unstable when trying to sit up. She loves to be out and about and we certainly are doing alot of that. She's going to love hanging our with her aunt Lisa and Rachel and Melissa and David! My legs are going to be rock solid by the time we get home! Grandma Barbara is doing well and is also being unbelievably helpful. When the mom feels like she is going to have a mini-meltdown herself Grandma Barbara is always there with an extra set of arms! We are very homesick at this point and really want to come home although this is truly an adventure of a lifetime with the most incredible gift given to us as a result! I don't have many new pictures but I'll try to post a few you haven't seen yet. Talk to you soon! (Well, since I'm posting the McDonald's pictures, I guess I have to confess to my double cheeseburger, large fries and full sugar large Coke for lunch - I suppose that takes some of the sympathy away from my eating woes, huh!)