Today we spent the day touring Guangzhou. We visited the "Ten Families Museum," which is an art museum converted from a Buddhist Temple. The temple itself is amazing to see--such intricate art. Ellie was napping during the visit (apparently she shares her mother's attention span for museums :-), but then we went to yet another Walmart, and on to a jade and pearl market. Walmart was Walmart---oh, except for the whole fresh chickens and pigs feet in aisle 4 :-), but the jade and pearl market was very cool.

Our guide here explained to us that jade is a very special and traditional stone for the Chinese. As our guide today put it, "Most Chinese women would prefer jade to diamonds, that's how precious it is to us." There is a wonderful Chinese tradition that when a woman has a first daughter,  she buys a jade bangle and wears it every day until that daughter marries, and then the jade bangle is passed on to her. Wearing the jade is a symbol of good luck for your child. Although our guide didn't say it quite this way, the mother wears the jade as a sort of prayer and blessing for her daughter.

So, yup, we all bought jade bracelets. :-)

I did take pictures today, I swear! But, unfortunately the camera is on a table about six inches from the head of the crib where the little munchkin is finally sleeping right now. Since it took me two hours to get her to sleep,  I don't dare try to move the camera for fear of waking her! :-) 

Tomorrow we go to the American consulate to finalize her visa (which is the LAST, LAST piece of paperwork we have to do---hooray!!!), and tomorrow night, Ann Marie arrives. Ellie and I will be very happy to see her!! Three more days until we are home!!