Sarah’s First Shopping Trip

The best part of the trip so far was today. When we got Sarah she had a backpack, but the inside was definitely not full. Mostly the backpack held the things we sent to China for her and a couple diapers. We were also told not to bring too many items for her, so halfway through today, she was out of clothes. So, today after paperwork and an interview with Chinese officials we went shopping. Awesome!

By ourselves, just the three of us, we trekked down to a city shopping area in Wuhan. Wuhan is about the size of NYC and every bit as interesting. We had trouble finding stores for children at first, but when we did the price was right! Macy type items for 15 dollars and the smaller stores were less. Plus, if you hesitate, the sales lady will take off more money! At times, I had to use Sarah as a prop and once the sales lady actually took the pants off her and put new ones on before I had time to process what was going on. I had to act everything out that I wanted and we got stares from everywhere.

Going to buy Sarah her very first personal possessions was thrilling. Getting to ask a child that has never had her own piece of clothing which dress she likes best is so much fun. I felt like Daddy Warbucks.

We bought bows for her hair, socks, dresses and pants and a new pair of shoes. When we got back to the hotel we pulled out the extra suitcase and packed it with her things. She folded and laid them in carefully and then took them out again. She put all her socks and hair bows out of the suitcase and put them in her backpack and then she moved them all around again.

Right now, she is lying on her palette with all her things surrounding her head. She wants to see all of them so she feels comfortable. It is incredibly cute.
Backpack update: Now she will take it off to sleep, but must have it in eyesight. She also allowed it to sit beside her in the car and in the back of her shopping buggy