Bao Bao Baby

Having a baby with you in China makes for a completely different experience. When I am out without Miss A, I am pretty much ignored. When I am with her, we're treated like rock. stars.

It is quite something to see everyone, including grown men, stop and smile and talk sweetly to a little baby. The people here are good. They can also be a little overwhelming to someone not of their culture. It has taken some getting used to!

We frequent the Suguo market (kind of like Walmart, but with no food resembling that at Walmart) close to us. Each time, we have been surrounded by 10+ Chinese women asking questions and giving advice. Once I went without Mister and I seriously felt a hot flash coming on--there were so many people surrounding us and asking me questions I did not understand.

Women giving advice about which books to get for Miss A

I was trying to be sneaky to show all the women gathering. There were at least 7 at this point.

She just loves the attention. PS-we found the best way to get people to leave Miss A alone--start taking pictures. These ladies left in a hurry as soon as they realized I was snapping shots. :)

At the same time, Miss A loves the attention and we have received a lot of help.

-Some young men working in the produce department cut her a huge slice of melon and gave her napkins to wipe her mouth. Every time we see them, they give her a little gift (today it was little apples)
-When buying a stroller the women helped us put it together and told us how to use it. They gave us a deal on it and even took a pair of socks OFF of the shelf and put them on Miss A!
-People pick up things she has dropped, wipe her mouth, and entertain her when she is cranky.
-She has been fed chocolate and doted on enough to last a lifetime.

With all of the love, I still need to protect her little immune system from the new germs her body isn’t used to. This is when the protective momma comes out!

1. When traveling, keep your baby in a stroller or carrier. If you don’t, be prepared for her to be snatched out of your hands.
2. BUCKLE her in the stroller so, when they try to grab her out, they have to put her right back down.
3. Use “the shoulder move”. This is Mister’s go-to-move. He just turns his shoulder into the person to block them from getting to her. I’m not brave enough to do it, but it is quite effective!
4. Just smile and keep walking! It’s the crosswalks and the times when you need to stop to put something in your cart that will get you.
5. If all else fails pretend you don’t understand, smile, and get out of there.
6. Most of all, BEWARE OF THE CLAP SIGNAL. Really, every woman does the same thing if they are going to try to take Miss A. They clap 2-3 times and then open their hands. Right from the clap, I am prepared to keep her away.

It's a good thing she's such a ham--she just eats up all of the attention! If only I could learn to be as easygoing. :)

Look at those chubby little cheeks and belly!