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february 6:
Forget the breakfast - I want to play!
As for eating Marisa is doing so-so. She had a full bottle of
milk/rice last night and two full bottles today. Likely in the
orphanage she got nothing more than her bottles, so we are
okay with this. At breakfast she did seem to enjoy play more
than the food. Daddy thought otherwise - I chose breakfast.
As for eating Marisa is doing so-so. She had a full bottle of
milk/rice last night and two full bottles today. Likely in the
orphanage she got nothing more than her bottles, so we are
okay with this. At breakfast she did seem to enjoy play more
than the food. Daddy thought otherwise - I chose breakfast.
Marisa Mei-Lian Freeman
As for the videos of the day we have
the standard picture show to the left.
Below are her first bath and one that
you just can't miss (just below this text
box).
Enjoy!
the standard picture show to the left.
Below are her first bath and one that
you just can't miss (just below this text
box).
Enjoy!
Her First Bath
She seemed to like her first bath with us pretty well. The only
time she got really out of sorts was when mom stuck that big
rubber thing (snot sucker) up her nose. All of the girls from
Lianjiang had runny noses. My guess is that in that
environment just as in our home, when one gets it they all get
it.
She seemed to like her first bath with us pretty well. The only
time she got really out of sorts was when mom stuck that big
rubber thing (snot sucker) up her nose. All of the girls from
Lianjiang had runny noses. My guess is that in that
environment just as in our home, when one gets it they all get
it.
Return to the place from which she came
We returned to the Civil Affairs office today to finalize the adoption paperwork. China now recognizes us as
her parents. This was pretty interesting in that they asked questions like "Why are you adopting from
China?" and "Will you ever abandon her?" Our greatest laugh came from the expressions on the officials'
faces when we told them we already had 4 biological children and wanted to add to that through adoption.
In a One-Child country that is received as "What - are you crazy?"
There's a playroom where the babies started opening up and got to play with each other again. Marisa
loves the walker and can make it go fast. All of the babies really like the walkers and they spend quite a bit
of time in them in the orphanage. She also loves pulling up on things and walking with help.
Another interesting note - the little girl in blue, Kristin, has curly hair. Not many Chinese people have
naturally curly hair. All the girls are unique and adorable.
We returned to the Civil Affairs office today to finalize the adoption paperwork. China now recognizes us as
her parents. This was pretty interesting in that they asked questions like "Why are you adopting from
China?" and "Will you ever abandon her?" Our greatest laugh came from the expressions on the officials'
faces when we told them we already had 4 biological children and wanted to add to that through adoption.
In a One-Child country that is received as "What - are you crazy?"
There's a playroom where the babies started opening up and got to play with each other again. Marisa
loves the walker and can make it go fast. All of the babies really like the walkers and they spend quite a bit
of time in them in the orphanage. She also loves pulling up on things and walking with help.
Another interesting note - the little girl in blue, Kristin, has curly hair. Not many Chinese people have
naturally curly hair. All the girls are unique and adorable.
Building, building and more building
We've mentioned all the building around the Olympics - about 10,000
projects in Beijing alone right now. Guangzhou also has some very
large buildings and interesting architecture. You can tell in most public
places the whole feng shui thing is for real. Just moving people is an
issue here - they can't cram the streets with enough buses. In Beijing
there are 12 million people and 9 million bicycles. China's largest city
(surprisingly, not Shanghai, but we can't remember what it is) has over
30 million people. You may know China holds over 4 times as many
people as the United States in the same area of land.
We've mentioned all the building around the Olympics - about 10,000
projects in Beijing alone right now. Guangzhou also has some very
large buildings and interesting architecture. You can tell in most public
places the whole feng shui thing is for real. Just moving people is an
issue here - they can't cram the streets with enough buses. In Beijing
there are 12 million people and 9 million bicycles. China's largest city
(surprisingly, not Shanghai, but we can't remember what it is) has over
30 million people. You may know China holds over 4 times as many
people as the United States in the same area of land.
Lounging by the pool
We've determined Marisa likes water, but she
was not willing to dip even a toe in the pool.
Don't be fooled by this picture. Even though the
outside temperature was in the lower 80's the
water was icy. Think Colorado mountain stream
in the winter - I couldn't get out fast enough.
The kids and Dad each went for a quick dip, but
Mom and Marisa stayed warm and dry poolside.
We've determined Marisa likes water, but she
was not willing to dip even a toe in the pool.
Don't be fooled by this picture. Even though the
outside temperature was in the lower 80's the
water was icy. Think Colorado mountain stream
in the winter - I couldn't get out fast enough.
The kids and Dad each went for a quick dip, but
Mom and Marisa stayed warm and dry poolside.
Shopping in many languages
As we are living in an apartment building and
have kitchens, our group went to buy
groceries today. The store is called the
Friendship Store and it offers the strangest
combination of goods. The sixth floor has
baby and children's items like strollers, toys
and clothing. The fifth floor is where th
groceries, diapers, and formularight in the
middle of an upper-class shopping mall.
Hmmm - think we paid too much? Some
containers had bilingual labels and we also
had familiar brand packaging going for us,
but probably 75% of the products had to be
purchased on a wing and a prayer. I want to
make sure my dad knows that M&M's are the
same everywhere in the world - no matter
where you go.
As we are living in an apartment building and
have kitchens, our group went to buy
groceries today. The store is called the
Friendship Store and it offers the strangest
combination of goods. The sixth floor has
baby and children's items like strollers, toys
and clothing. The fifth floor is where th
groceries, diapers, and formularight in the
middle of an upper-class shopping mall.
Hmmm - think we paid too much? Some
containers had bilingual labels and we also
had familiar brand packaging going for us,
but probably 75% of the products had to be
purchased on a wing and a prayer. I want to
make sure my dad knows that M&M's are the
same everywhere in the world - no matter
where you go.
Chinese New Year
Did we say it's HUGE out here? Decorations
everywhere and lines literally a mile long just
to get a train ticket to travel home to see
family. I'm thrilled to hear, though, that
Christmas is becoming a bigger holiday
here. Not sure what their understanding is,
but the door's been opened.
Did we say it's HUGE out here? Decorations
everywhere and lines literally a mile long just
to get a train ticket to travel home to see
family. I'm thrilled to hear, though, that
Christmas is becoming a bigger holiday
here. Not sure what their understanding is,
but the door's been opened.
Bonding Time
Time to call it a night. Marisa seems to be
bonding well with Natalie. She also takes
quite a liking to the kids. Although speaking
as her husband, Natalie is a very
maternal/loving person and I can see why
she is having such success with Marisa.
Time to call it a night. Marisa seems to be
bonding well with Natalie. She also takes
quite a liking to the kids. Although speaking
as her husband, Natalie is a very
maternal/loving person and I can see why
she is having such success with Marisa.
My apologies - I (Doug) understand some were trying to get pictures of Marisa earlier than I
expected. We didn't post until the next morning because I fell asleep on the computer. :-)
Also if we're slow (especially the kids) in responding to email - sorry - our access to the
Internet in GZ is not what we expected. We're good to get this site posted. Thanks!
expected. We didn't post until the next morning because I fell asleep on the computer. :-)
Also if we're slow (especially the kids) in responding to email - sorry - our access to the
Internet in GZ is not what we expected. We're good to get this site posted. Thanks!
Just feeling led to dump a little bit here.
First just a quick note of thanks to my parents for uprooting themselves for nearly three weeks to watch Gaby and
Matt while we're gone. Many folks have to pass the kids around to a number of friends or family members to make
this all work and certainly you do what you have to do, but upon asking my parent's response was "we wouldn't have it
any other way." They exemplify as grandparents much of what they did as parents and I couldn't find better role
models. Thanks guys - we love you!
Second we've know that a number of folks following our website have toyed around with adoption in the past. I used
to think there was no way God could come up with another way to bless me. I was wrong. While the process has been
long and frankly, an emotional roller coater, it has just as anything like that done something to us and through us that
we would get no other way. We've praised Him through the process and He's been faithful every step of the way even
though at times we haven't. So, long story short is if you feel God tugging don't let the opportunity pass. I am here to
tell you - you'll be sorry.
First just a quick note of thanks to my parents for uprooting themselves for nearly three weeks to watch Gaby and
Matt while we're gone. Many folks have to pass the kids around to a number of friends or family members to make
this all work and certainly you do what you have to do, but upon asking my parent's response was "we wouldn't have it
any other way." They exemplify as grandparents much of what they did as parents and I couldn't find better role
models. Thanks guys - we love you!
Second we've know that a number of folks following our website have toyed around with adoption in the past. I used
to think there was no way God could come up with another way to bless me. I was wrong. While the process has been
long and frankly, an emotional roller coater, it has just as anything like that done something to us and through us that
we would get no other way. We've praised Him through the process and He's been faithful every step of the way even
though at times we haven't. So, long story short is if you feel God tugging don't let the opportunity pass. I am here to
tell you - you'll be sorry.