I So Figured Out How to Use the Calling Card!

Hello all you Hammond Family friends and supporters. This is Emily and I wanted to give you all a quick update on the Hammond Party of Five (plus 3 very loved and much needed helpers.)

I called their hotel this evening which was about 8:30 a.m. Friday their time. Aaron answered the phone after one ring - YAY! He was alone in the room while everyone was at breakfast because he is sick again - NOT yay. Please, please take a moment, stop reading this, and say a prayer for Aaron. Pray for recovery from his stomach issues and for strength to continue on with this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Especially pray that it doesn't get worse while they are over there. I will wait while you pray.


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OK, great. Thanks for lifting him up in your prayers - Erica specifically asked for those.

Bless his heart, he really didn't feel like answering my zillion questions but, since he was my only source for info, I kept grilling him! Today they are going to visit True Children's Home, the agency that was responsible for providing care for You You and placed her in foster care. (www.truechildrenshome.org)

Fortunately, for us the readers, Erica and You You came back to the room while we were talking and I was able to talk with her and get details. I also got to hear little You You's sweet voice. She said "Mama" and other words I couldn't quite make out as I had put it on speaker phone so Jeremy and Wyatt could hear her. Erica got her to say "Mimi" (which is what my nieces and nephews call me). She is a quick learner! She is also a giggler - I could hear her giggling in the background during most of the conversation.

I talked to Carter and he was all "yes maam, yes maam". He told me he has been trying new things to eat in China. Specifically, fried onion and salad. Too cute! I talked to Jack for just a minute. I asked him what he was doing and he said (rather exasperated) "talking on the phone". :)

My mom said that You You is really smart and very curious and just leans her little head back when she laughs. Erica said You You swings her left arm when she walks. Also, when she wants something or wants to do something she says "I You You Ah, I You You Ah" over and over.

What else? Aaron did say that each night with You You is getting easier. Right now she prefers Aaron to put her to bed and to give her her bottle. Erica confirmed the same thing. I think she is trying to have a little say so in her new life and they are respecting her wishes but Erica is there every step of the way. During the day, she is fine to spend most of her time with Erica but this is how she prefers her night time routine right now.

Also, they said in China's "eyes", You You is their child. Now they are just waiting on the U.S. side of the paperwork to be finished. This is something that their guide Rebecca will be working on for them during the next several days. This is the main reason why they have to stay over there for an extended time.

They have a big shopping trip planned for Sunday afternoon that the girls are all excited about. On Monday, the boys are going to the Zoo with Didi, Papa, and Neesie while Aaron, Erica, and You You travel to the city/area where You You was presumed to be born and where she was found. (Ok, that makes me tear up - so sad that she was "left" but also glad, because if she wasn't, they wouldn't have her now.)

One other thing that both Erica and Aaron mentioned (that I don't think either of them heard the other mention) is how much Neesie, Didi, and Papa have been needed on this trip. They said they didn't see how it could have been done with any less help. Also, I asked about Jack's illness and apparently it left his little body as quickly as it came - just a fever and then it was gone.

Erica did want me to tell you all that she really wants to be blogging but it just hasn't been convenient the last few days. They are moving to a new hotel today though and she thought that there were computers in the room or that she would have access from their room. She hopes to get on and read everyone's comments and add some posts of her own in the next day or so. She can't wait to read what everyone has been posting! I passed on that we all understood and not to over do it.

Well, I am gonna wrap this up. We have already made it through the first week! Next week at this time, we will be waiting for their plane to land in Birmingham! Woo hoo! Thanks again for all your love and support of Aaron, Erica, Carter, Jack, and You You.