Happy Belated Kate NaNa Day!

It has been three years since I met this little girl.

She was timid and quiet at first, and not really intereted in us - just our cookies. But then she realized that the man they kept calling Baba had a cool camera.

She still likes cool toys like that.

It didn't take long for her personality to come out. By the time we were back at the hotel, the boys had her laughing this deep, scratchy laugh, with traces of tears still in it. And I knew that she was one of the bravest people I had ever met. This tiny person who was terrified of me, she could still find a way to be vulnerable and show joy. To show trust in this Baba she just met.

For the next few days, she only tolerated me if I was bearing chocolate (see the last video here).

But now, three years later, she is the biggest mama's girl you ever saw. If we are home alone together, she is right by my side, "helping" me with whatever I am doing. At this moment she is sitting right next to me on the couch, with one foot that she keeps sticking under my leg and the other on top of my leg. I keep moving it, but she keeps kneading me with those tiny, beautiful toes.

While I type, we wait for her chocolate birthday cake to come out of the oven. I am still bearing chocolate for this girl.

This year we had to celebrate Kate NaNa Day a week late because we were out of town. We gave her the red silk purse that our guide, Sunny had bought for her when we were in Suzhou. We had saved it because we were afraid she would tear up the embroidery. But a big, almost-five-year-old can probably take care of it now.

Kate NaNa, we love you with all of our hearts, and we are proud of what a strong, brave, smart, funny girl you are. We are so glad that you are a part of our family!