Another couple picts - from today. She is not impressed in the one where she jsut got out of the bath (402).

A couple other things - I forgot to tell you that Cheryl used a squat toilet in the GZ airport (she'd kill me if she knew I told everyone!). If you don't know what a squat toilet is, look it up on the net. You have to admire Cheryl's versatility.

Also, Maelin is really tiny, but we are comparing her to Grace, of course. Some of the Chinese women have said she's big, others say tiny...all agree that she is as cute as a button.

Maelin has a little Mongolian spot on one of her buttocks.

You guys should she Cheryl talking to Chinese people in stores...Cheryl keeps saying the same thing over and over again, more slowing each time, in English, they keep saying the same thing over and over again, more slowing each time, in Chinese...it's freaking hilarious!

I've found sharads (not sure of spelling) the most effective.

Did I mention how cute Maelin is?
M

Beijing Update#1

Finally, an update! The computer is kaput; screen died on it, so using hotel business center. At 1.5 RMB/minute, I better get typing!

It is 5:40 PM on Sunday afternoon here, and Cheryl, Maelin and I just got back from shopping. It was a free day and we rented a car (and driver...you've honestly never seen driving like China...the folks who've been here know what I'm talking about).

We went to a few markets and have another free day tomorrow and will explore some more.

We went to the Great Wall yesterday and some shopping places, also visited some of the olympic venues...all very cool.

We are all doing well here in Beijing. It really is a beautiful, clean city, with unbelievable architecture.

Maelin is doing great...chest infection seems to be clearing thanks to Dr. Cheryl, and poopies are moving (I've never seen two adults get so excited to find you-know-what in a baby's diaper before). You'd think it was chocolate! Maelin's had two big bottles today and some apple sauce, and is letting us sit down with her and sitting on her own and playing with her toys. She also is going in the stroller a bit more (she was scared of it), which is a nice break. She can pull/crawl around on the bedspread to get what she wants, which is awesome! She's not crawling in the traditional sense, but she's mobile! She can also pull herself up in the crib.

Knock on wood, she's been sleeping through the night, and we both pretty much fall asleep the second Maelin does. She's making us stronger though.

She like's kisses a lot and loves to blow raspberries (or strawberry kisses, as Cheryl calls them). She did some on the flight from Guangzhou to Beijing with her formula in her mouth...very funny for Cher and I anyhow! The girl sitting right beside us wasn't laughing. She also did it yesterday and got spittle on the clerk at the silk factory...also very funny.

Speaking of the flight from GZ to BJ, thank goodness for three Chinese women (around our age) sitting behind us. They helped keep Maelin settled when she got riled during the flight a few times. They were very kind and enjoyed playing with her through the seats.

Yesterday at the Jade factory we were like celebrities with Maelin and Tanner. There were families from the US who don't recieve their children until tomorrow and they swarmed Tony and I and the kids. One of the girls working there asked if she could hold Maelin and I let her, then Maelin got fussy and wanted to come back to me...you want to talk about a great feeling to see those arms reaching out for me...tearing up again now thinking about it.


I'll send a few more pictures right away. The one attached is from yesterday and you can see her two bottom front teeth.
Love from Maelin, Cheryl and Mike

Hi all. We are save in Beijing - it's a beautiful city , we got to hotel at 2 AM last night... Will try to sent a longer message and photos later on.

Love
Maelin Cher mike

Quick Update

Hi everyone - a quick update - sorry no photo's! Our computer crapped out, unfortunately. I m hopeful that I can get someone to look at it in Beijing.

everything is great and Maelin is doing great! She's sitting on her on and playing today, and lying down better. Also "allowing" us to sit and play with her. She's really improving everyday. She's also eating more (basically she's teaching us how she likes her formula and how she likes to be fed...we're slow learners).

We're off to Beijing today, a day earlier than originally planned, which is great because we are getting a little tired of the same room, shops, etc, especially knowing we are all done the paperwork in this area.

VERY humid here today. We left at 7 AM to take Maelin to a nearby park and video tape some of the plants, trees, etc., and my glasses immediately fogged up and the video camera gave a warning about the humidity and would not work...WOW! We turned back and into Starbucks to regroup...thank goodness for Starbucks!...Maelin likes chocolate glazed, by the way...just a few nibbles, honest.

Tonights flight will be a good warm-up for the flight home next week.

See you all soon.

Mike, Cheryl, & Maelin.

"We are officially a family!We finalized the adoption process today, so Maelin is legally our daughter (on Cheryl's birthday). What a gift! So far she has been really good to travel with and acted good at the Adoption Center when we were finalizing everything and meeting with the lawyer and registrar.When we were there yesterday she was the ONLY BABY that did not cry...the rest were hysterical, and of course as more started to cry the others joined in on the chaos. Her and Cheryl just snuggled and checked each other out. It was such an emotional thing for me to watch, I'm tearing up as I type.After we were done at the adoption center today, we went shopping! It was fun and we got some more formula, snacks for us and a stroller. She's not liking the stroller too much, but we will go slow with her.It's been a long day, as we did not have the best night last night. Apparently Maelin does not want to take the chance that her new family is going to be there when she naps, so she won't let us set her down! She also doesn't like for us to sit down either.We're laughing as we type this (Cheryl and Maelin are helping over my shoulder...Maelin is in her snuggly, strapped to Cheryl), but it's true. She is very content and even sleeps when we hold her and are walking around, but as soon as we try to sit down with her she starts to get very upset.Maybe she is trying to slim us down a bit?!Regardless, we are tired, and still love her so much. She's dealing with a lot of change right now, and she also has a chest cold. We have also been unable to get the same formula as she had at the orphanage, so she's not eating enough. Again, we think she will come around.She's also got two rookie parents trying to help out...but she's teaching us as we go.A birthday cake was delivered from the hotel tonight for Cheryl. A beautiful cake complete with candles, plates, and a card from the manager. How nice! Cheryl has already dug in, but I'll get a picture of what's left.It's 10 PM local time as I type, and time for my "sleep shift", so gotta run.Thanks everyone for all the support and we will publish the comments just as soon as we can. Even thought we have been unable to publish them right now, we look forward to them and enjoy reading them.Mike (&Cheryl & Maelin, of course!)"

Here are a few more pics!!!

Oh what the heck...here's a couple more.She sucks here two middle fingers on her left hand.Did I mention how cute she is!?She's not too sure about me yet, but she'll come around...Mike

Introducing Maelin

Hi all.... I will now be posting for Mike and Cheryl as Dianne is off on a road trip.... enjoy!!! Karen

Hi Everyone,We're pleased to present Maelin Morrison, who has been a little angel from the moment we met her at the adoption centre, approximately 2 hours ago. She's even more precious than we ever imagined.It's around 5 PM local time here, 6 AM AST, and we are back at the hotel, getting to know one another. She's had a nap (that was easy), and now she's demonstrating how well her lungs work (no issues there).

THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE!!

Here is an e-mail I just received...thought i would share with all you anxious fans awaiting more news....dianne!!


Hi Dianne,

Thanks for posting for us,and we will keep them coming.......I'm sure with lots more big smiles.

We are not starving but had a hard time finding supper tonight. Apparently it is a holiday here today and not everything was open and what was open was very busy. The buffet here at the hotel was insane.... not many dishes that we all liked,so we ordered pizza from Papa John's-we'll be eating there lots,I suspect.

So far so good with the sleep.We are just heading to bed right now and hopefully will sleep well.

One more sleep.......yeah right!

Cheryl & Mike