It has officially been one week since we left home. It has been remarkably easy with this entire adoption, and the trip is no exception to that. Marin is so much fun! She laughs constantly, and has become very vocal....haha. She even showed me some attitude yesterday, which I was very happy to see. All this time, we have been told what a people pleaser she is, and that worried me a bit. Made me wonder if maybe she would try to constanly please us at the expense of having her own opinions. Well, that has not been the case. She is feisty and has no problem telling me when she doesn't want something! Very glad to see that.
This morning, the day started off with a skype call to Marin's BFF, Mia, who was adopted last May, and now lives in Florida. Marin was rather reluctant at first, and then appeared really embarrassed, but after a few minutes, the conversation took off and they were talking in Mandarin. We are so happy to be able to maintain their friendship, and look forward to getting them together in person in the next few months. It is a beautiful thing to have that connection. The girls are very fortunate. There are also a few other girls that Marin is interested in talking to that were adopted in the last year, so we will encourage those relationships as well. Skype is great!
After breakfast, we took the drive over to Shamian Island. All of you adoptive families know the significance of that. But for those who don't, Shamian Island is an area where the British were allowed to live during the trading season, so it's like a small piece of London in the middle of a Chinese city. It's also home of the famous White Swan Hotel, where most adoptive families stay when they visit Guangzhou. It is currently closed for renovation, but they are allowing people in to visit the first couuple of floors. Beautiful art, fabulous restaurant. Many great memories. There are great little stores on the island and some wonderful restaurants, including one called Lucys, that is famous to adoptive families because they serve American food :) So, today we had burgers and french fries- yay! Marin loved the french fries..... Even dipped them in ketchup!
We had Marin's medical exam today, which is a part of all adoptions. You go through a series of rooms where various doctors check various parts of the child's body. Unfortunately, because Marin is over 10, she had to have a full set of vaccinations. Those with children under 10 can choose to have them waived as long as they promise to have them done in the States. Poor girl. She howled a little, but didn't cry. She also was not a fan of the blood from all of the pricks. You can tell she had never had a shot before. But she did awesome!!! And I got some great snuggles out of it :) We go back on Monday to have the TB test read.
After we got back to the hotel, we went to the koi ponds, and then played some tennis. We were still full from Lucy's, so decided to just have ice cream for dinner :) Marin is just exhausted at the end of every day! She tried to fall asleep around 5, but I kept her going so she wouldn't have her night ruined. Even though she was use to getting up at 6 am at the orphanage, she has been sleeping in until almost 9 am every day! When she wakes up, she gives me a huge smile, then I bop her with the pillow. She loves it. Really, she is the most amazing child. So, so beautiful in every way. Her personality is the best!!! My little goofball :)
Have a great Saturday everyone! We are off to bed :)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Day 5 Update
Friday was such a long day that I didn't get to post anything. Better late than never. But we are all great! At breakfast, Marin finally took me up on an offer to try American food. We had all been offering for the first few days, but she always refused rather adamently. Well, today, she tried a piece of a waffle, and then went back up to the buffet and got a plate. Covered in chocolate syrup. That's my girl :) And then she went back up and got another plate. She is finally realizing that she will have plenty of food at every meal so she doesn't have to gorge herself whenever food comes around. It really made me smile when she went back up to the buffet by herself. Those of you who have adopted older children may understand this. It's a special thing that is taking place as I watch her become more comfortable and secure. It's quite beautiful.
Another first - she tried and liked ice cream! We eat a lot of it in our family so we were all thrilled that she enjoyed it so much. We know that some older children don't like the coldness of the ice cream. But Mei Mei does! Speaking of Mei Mei, that is what we have been calling her. We like it, she responds to it, so that's what it is for now. :)
After breakfast, we went to the Banyan Temple. It was great for the kids to be able to see how other people worship. There were thousands of incense being offered, and people were leaving fruit, juice, and money at the alters of the Buddha. Very interesting. Our guide said that in China, most Chinese do not know anything about Buddha - that worshipping him is more of a cultural thing that they do simply to bring prosperity to their family.
We came back to the hotel for a short bit, then headed out for the circus. It is a world renowned circus called ChimeLong, a combination of a Cirque Du Soleil and the kind of circus back in the states. It was a bit of a drive, but well worth it. There were acrobatics, and dancing, and bears on bikes, and many wild animals prancing around for short periods of time. The kids loved it! We got back to the hotel rather late and everyone collapsed :) Our guide asked Marin what her favorite part of the show was, and she said the horses with the girls doing tricks on them! We may have another horse back rider on our hands! She also loved the bears on bikes....haha! Her smile throughout the show - simply priceless!
Pictures to follow :)
Another first - she tried and liked ice cream! We eat a lot of it in our family so we were all thrilled that she enjoyed it so much. We know that some older children don't like the coldness of the ice cream. But Mei Mei does! Speaking of Mei Mei, that is what we have been calling her. We like it, she responds to it, so that's what it is for now. :)
After breakfast, we went to the Banyan Temple. It was great for the kids to be able to see how other people worship. There were thousands of incense being offered, and people were leaving fruit, juice, and money at the alters of the Buddha. Very interesting. Our guide said that in China, most Chinese do not know anything about Buddha - that worshipping him is more of a cultural thing that they do simply to bring prosperity to their family.
We came back to the hotel for a short bit, then headed out for the circus. It is a world renowned circus called ChimeLong, a combination of a Cirque Du Soleil and the kind of circus back in the states. It was a bit of a drive, but well worth it. There were acrobatics, and dancing, and bears on bikes, and many wild animals prancing around for short periods of time. The kids loved it! We got back to the hotel rather late and everyone collapsed :) Our guide asked Marin what her favorite part of the show was, and she said the horses with the girls doing tricks on them! We may have another horse back rider on our hands! She also loved the bears on bikes....haha! Her smile throughout the show - simply priceless!
Pictures to follow :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Day 4
We didn't have any paperwork today, so it was another relaxing day. We went to a local park and to a governement owned art store. We bought our girls some silk dresses. And Marin wanted to get Paige some things. She picks up things and says "baby", and then hands it to me to buy.
When we returned from our outings, we headed over to the koi ponds. I didn't realize it at the time, but the kids wound up taking about 15 pieces of bread from the buffet this morning....haha! So we stayed for quite a while. I think this is Marin's favorite thing to do. We then headed over to the courts to play some tennis, or our version thereof. The girl has some natural talent with a racket!
This morning, she suprised us all with her English writing skills! She wrote some words in Chinese and then English. Beautiful. We do know that she received an 'A' in English, and a 'B' in Chinese. Pretty funny :)
After we returned to the room, the kids watched some Chinese cartoons. Now everyone is playing games before bed. Tomorrow is another fun, relaxing day. Going to the Banyan Temple for the morning, then to the circus in the evening. The circus is more of a Cirque Du Soleil show. It's about an hour away, but we think it will be well worth it. We have heard that Marin is quite the dancer, so I'm sure this will be something that will fascinate her.
When we returned from our outings, we headed over to the koi ponds. I didn't realize it at the time, but the kids wound up taking about 15 pieces of bread from the buffet this morning....haha! So we stayed for quite a while. I think this is Marin's favorite thing to do. We then headed over to the courts to play some tennis, or our version thereof. The girl has some natural talent with a racket!
This morning, she suprised us all with her English writing skills! She wrote some words in Chinese and then English. Beautiful. We do know that she received an 'A' in English, and a 'B' in Chinese. Pretty funny :)
After we returned to the room, the kids watched some Chinese cartoons. Now everyone is playing games before bed. Tomorrow is another fun, relaxing day. Going to the Banyan Temple for the morning, then to the circus in the evening. The circus is more of a Cirque Du Soleil show. It's about an hour away, but we think it will be well worth it. We have heard that Marin is quite the dancer, so I'm sure this will be something that will fascinate her.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Day 3 Update
Things are going phenomenally well with Marin. She is such a spunky, sweet, funny girl. We are all so in love with her. She has got some attitude as well, which is great to see! This afternooon, the kids were playing Uno, and I had to reshuffle the deck, so I asked her for her cards. She looked them over, pulled out the 2 Wild cards, smiled a big cheesy smile, put them behind her back, and gave me the rest.....haha! She is awesome!
Today was a good day. Lots of down time, which the kids appreciated. After breakfast, we headed to the back gardens where all of the huge koi are, and fed them for about an hour. Marin absolutely loves this. I think one got her finger today! She giggles the entire time we are out there. We got them all jump ropes and they did that for an hour or so. The only paperwork we had to do today was at the local police station, where we applied for Marin's passport, and received the official document that announces that Marin is ours forever. Once we were finished there, the kids wanted to go back to the gardens to see the fish. Our guide, Elvin, stayed with us. He has been so wonderful, talking to Marin and letting her know exactly what is happening. And also teaching us more about the area.
It has been so much fun getting to know other families here. There is a couple adopting their 4th child, a 13 year old boy. He is so sweet and is loving having a family. Lots of families with toddlers. It's been great.
Marin is starting to feel more comfortable repeating English back to us. If I want her to repeat, I say "EE-Chee-Shwa", and then whatever I want her to say. She tries her best, then bursts out laughing. She doesn't think her English is good, so I guess doesn't feel comfortable using it often. But today, she was able to repeat all of her siblings names, and brother, sister, chair, table, and pee pee ;) She was trying to tell me she had to go to the bathroom, but I had no idea what she was saying, so I asked our guide and she told him....haha....I told her "pee pee". And she laughed and repeated it. I think she may remember that one! Also want to mention that she has a deep voice. Not what you would expect from this tiny little girl. She reminds me of Punky Brewster :) She is tough and sassy, but also sweet and silly and lots of fun to be around. She walks with a swagger even....haha. Have I told you how much I adore this child? She is amazing.
I will leave you a picture of some of the koi at feeding time. Have a great day everyone. It's bed time here in Guangzhou.
Today was a good day. Lots of down time, which the kids appreciated. After breakfast, we headed to the back gardens where all of the huge koi are, and fed them for about an hour. Marin absolutely loves this. I think one got her finger today! She giggles the entire time we are out there. We got them all jump ropes and they did that for an hour or so. The only paperwork we had to do today was at the local police station, where we applied for Marin's passport, and received the official document that announces that Marin is ours forever. Once we were finished there, the kids wanted to go back to the gardens to see the fish. Our guide, Elvin, stayed with us. He has been so wonderful, talking to Marin and letting her know exactly what is happening. And also teaching us more about the area.
It has been so much fun getting to know other families here. There is a couple adopting their 4th child, a 13 year old boy. He is so sweet and is loving having a family. Lots of families with toddlers. It's been great.
Marin is starting to feel more comfortable repeating English back to us. If I want her to repeat, I say "EE-Chee-Shwa", and then whatever I want her to say. She tries her best, then bursts out laughing. She doesn't think her English is good, so I guess doesn't feel comfortable using it often. But today, she was able to repeat all of her siblings names, and brother, sister, chair, table, and pee pee ;) She was trying to tell me she had to go to the bathroom, but I had no idea what she was saying, so I asked our guide and she told him....haha....I told her "pee pee". And she laughed and repeated it. I think she may remember that one! Also want to mention that she has a deep voice. Not what you would expect from this tiny little girl. She reminds me of Punky Brewster :) She is tough and sassy, but also sweet and silly and lots of fun to be around. She walks with a swagger even....haha. Have I told you how much I adore this child? She is amazing.
I will leave you a picture of some of the koi at feeding time. Have a great day everyone. It's bed time here in Guangzhou.
Around China
Most of you know how much I love China! I love the people and the food and the culture. Even the dirty looks I get when my kids have on short sleeves when it is below 90 degrees ;) When I come here, I take lots of pictures of what's around me, just because I love how it feels to be here. Here are some of the most recent pictures of what it looks like where we are right now. The first few are of our hotel and the grounds. The pictures don't do this place justice. It is so beautiful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)