Temple of the Six Banyan Trees outside of the temple where Katie and the other children in our group received the Buddhist Baby Blessing.

We sat in front of this offer for the blessing.

U.S. Gymnastics Team for the 20?? Olympics?

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Eugene and Ted climbed to the top of this today ... from the inside. There are 17 floors, though you can only see 9 from the outside.

Katie (left) and Emma, age 3 1/2 (right). Katie likes the company of other children and often reaches out to touch them. We can't wait to introduce her to everyone!

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Eugene probably retained a lot more than I did, so he may elaborate further.

Grandpa Ted has a special knack for chilling with Katie.

The famous "Red Couches" at the White Swan Hotel.

Katie has two names: her "official" American name that we've given her and also an unofficial Chinese name that has been chosen by Eugene's father. Her new Chinese name is "Kar Yee" (pron. in Cantonese as Gy-yee). It means "happy and elegant." We think the name suits her well, as you can see here.

Who needs trunk space?!?

Happy girl

The view from the end of our hallway. Today, Typhoon Nuri is making its way over from Hong Kong, so we're in for some wet days ahead.

Today's Chinese lesson: Katie's pet name "Zhu Zhu" means "precious little pearl." The orphanage staff named her that because "they thought she was cute when she was really little." We still think she's cute...and she's definitely little!

The outside of our hotel is festooned with lights to celebrate the Olympics. It's really fun to watch them here, especially with no Chinese equivalent of Matt Lauer (sorry, couldn't resist).

One of Katie's babble words is "Da-da." She is responding to her American name, but we think it has more to do with recognition of our voices. In fact, today she responded to "Eugene."

Katie is already attracting a crowd. This local boy is 18 months old. Eugene told him to get her home by 11pm or else ...

Shamian Island in Guangzhou where we're staying was an old British and French concession during the 19th century (i.e., they stole it during the Opium Wars) and the Qing Dynasty let them have it. The island is filled with European architecture and many statues depicting life on the island during that period.

Happy kid!