Whoo, that was rough. She just would not stop crying for hours. I couldn't sit down with her and I couldn't let her see Bryan or she'd really scream. So baby's crying, mommy's crying, daddy's at a loss...
I got her settled down enough to sit on the bed with me again and drink some juice (I've been cutting it with water), and some Cheerios. She'd start crying every once in a while and try to stand on my lap, so I knew her tummy was probably hurting. She also stands when she pees in her diaper, because she's not used to it. She hadn't poopied since we got her 36 hours earlier! So - I brought her in to use the toilet (MaoMao xuxu? pronounced like: MaoMao shooshoo?). She tinkled but did not chouchou (pronounced cho-cho = poopy). So, since we're getting her used to Western toilets and not a squatter, when MaoMao xuxu's, then MaMa xuxu's and I run through the whole bathroom ritual - toilet paper, flushing, washing hands. I'm doing my business and she just starts screaming her head off - and then the smell starts to fill the room. MaoMao chouchou'd! We got her all cleaned up and she was smiling before I even got her pants back on. Yay! She just needed to poopy! Then she looked at Bryan - and he was scary, but she didn't scream. Yay! She's getting used to BaBa! Thank God - I was at my wits end.
We played with her and Bryan played "peek" with her again, and she just started to feel better. We ordered up some fried rice with egg for dinner again and Bryan and I had a club sandwich (because when I napped earlier I dreamt about a sandwich! I really miss American food!). And as soon as her belly was full, she just flourished, she was smiling and laughing and playing with Daddy! I put her on the bed (she hates the floor) so I could eat, and Bryan started tickling her feet and playing with her and she went along with it! I got it on video, but we can't upload any of it because our internet connection here is so slow. I'll check my camera for pictures when I'm done writing.
MaoMao's happy, MaMa's happy, BaBa's happy. Good times.
Back to yesterday: We went to the Civil Affairs Building again to do the official paperwork. On Monday, we just signed a piece of paper that agreed to take care of her for a 24 hour test-drive. I'm serious! Tuesday, we went back in and they asked "Was baby satisfactory?". What?! Of course! We've been waiting 6 months for her, we're not turning back now! So we signed some papers and got her passport paperwork started and met with the director of the orphanage again. I asked her if I was making the formula right and she said "is it thick enough?", so I don't think they've been watering it down at all. I assured her that it was very thick and very hot, and she said that's exactly right. Then our host/translator Linda handed us a piece of paper in a nice booklet cover (like a diploma) and said "Congratulations! You have finished the Chinese adoption part of your process!". Really? I thought we were applying for a passport today! OK!
Notice the black fleece she's wearing? We all match, it's too cute.
Anyway - to answer some questions.
They called her MaoMao at the orphanage, so that's what Bryan and I have been calling her here.
She is very small. We threw her on the scale yesterday and she was 10 kilos, which is 22 pounds. (fireworks going off again - 6:55 a.m.) Her paperwork said she was 11 kilos last August, but I don't think that was accurate. We're going shopping for her today to get some smaller clothes.
She's been drinking half peach juice half water out of her sippy cup. We gave her water the first night to keep her hydrated, but now that she's discovered juice in the green sippy - there's no going back.
She's been doing some talking. She was looking at the window last night and was talking up a storm. Didn't understand a word of it - but we did get her to say MaMa and BaBa!
She's a really funny kid. She likes jokes and games and just being silly. She'll yell and do this weird like "Shazam!" move and laugh up a storm. She thinks she's pretty funny.
She also likes using the bottle brush to brush her hair. I don't care - as long as baby's happy - everybody's happy. And at least she's using some type of brush - unlike some people's kids. ;) (you opened yourself up for that, Ira)
She also likes horsey rides on my knee. "This is the way the farmer rides" goes over big in any language. And I accidentally tipped her upside down yesterday when I was leaning over to pick up a toy and she started laughing really loud. So we did that for a while to get her good and wound up before bedtime!
We never got her red truck back. But we have 3 others from the set that she's been playing with. She likes anything with wheels, even the luggage.
We did get back the picture book we sent over. It was really sticky on the pages with our picture on it and the pictures of her room. We also got back her camera (which we haven't developed yet) and the questionnaire we sent over. I haven't even had a chance to look at the questions, we've been too busy! We also were given her newborn picture that they used when they placed her "found baby" ad, and yesterday the director gave us a photocopy of that ad. Makes me cry, she was just a tiny little half-bald thing. Poor baby.
This is getting long - I may add later, but I'm going to upload this now before it's lost forever.
Update: OK, it's been 10 minutes. Here are the pictures of Bryan and MaoMao playing after dinner.
Original Comments from Post
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Lori Matt and the Girls on 1/30/2007 |
| I am so happy that things are going better, I told Meg that Maggie didn't feel good, she said "Mao need tylenol". She also recognized the froggy cup. It is so good to see smiles. We can't wait for the next update!!!!! | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Emily on 1/30/2007 |
| Shazam is what daffey duck says on his new show Duck dodger!!!!! | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Davin on 1/30/2007 |
| Wow - I haven't seen Bryan smile like that in the last 20 years. Unbelievably cool!!! Obviously, one proud papa. "MaoMao" is going to think Park Rapids is heaven this June. I can't wait to see her swim! Hooray for China Rescue! Hooray for Bryan, Mary and Maggie! Mary - no matter how much you and bryan write, trust me, none of us can get enough of it. Thank you for your time away from Maggie while you type. | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Mom-Joan on 1/30/2007 |
| Congratulations! First parenting crisis overcome with flying colors! So glad she is getting more comfortable with you both too. Thanks for the pics - they are really precious. I have a new desktop background of you all in front of the Chinese flag! Love, Mom | |
| He he | By Emily on 1/30/2007 |
| Have U seen the desert in China where the koala live? hehe love Emily | |
| ask | By Jim and Joan on 1/30/2007 |
| What size is she??? see ya | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Jim & Joan on 1/30/2007 |
| That last posting was Emilys-but we do want to know her size. Sounds like things are getting better-Day by Day! We all can't wait to meet her!! Thanks again for the postings. | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Mary on 1/30/2007 |
| She's swimming in the 2T's, and the 24 months are just a little bit big. I think she'll be going through a growth spurt here in the next month, so a 2T would be a good size. She'll fit in them very soon. She is skin and bones, so we just need to fatten her up a little bit. : ) She's wearing the outfit that Grandma Lois got her for Christmas (size 2T), and it's big even with long johns on underneath. It's 40 degrees outside, but we don't want to get yelled at by any locals, so we have bundled her up and made sure her ankles aren't showing! | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Joy on 1/31/2007 |
| That's wonderful. Glad to hear that things are getting better with everyone. The best is yet to come...isn't that great? :) J | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Jennifer on 1/31/2007 |
| Mary, Congrats on your daughter. She is so beautiful. Every day I have to call mom in AZ and give her the latest. Keep the blogs coming, it's the first thing I read in the morning when I get to work! Jenn and Donna | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Davin on 2/1/2007 |
| Okay - what's going on? Medical emergency or just pondering over the wonders of life? How about an update? | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Ira on 2/1/2007 |
| Great pictures! I haven't seen Bryan smile like that since Thanksgiving Day of 2001 when we realized it wasn't anything we did that caused the servers to crash. | |
| Re: 6:30 a.m. January 31st | By Cathy on 2/1/2007 |
| You guys look so cute, you make a beautiful family..Can't wait to see her in person. Love to all of you!! | |
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