September 6th, 2005
She’s off! Marissa is crawling. No more struggling to crawl by going two steps forward and five backwards…she’s mastered the real thing! Of course, she loves to go for the dog bed and the dogs. Just the things we wish she wouldn’t go for.
Each week we’re able to look back and see how much more she trusts us. The feeling is wonderful! We know we’ll look back in a month and see so much more, but for now, we are pleased. We see true progress daily and it is miraculous.
Marissa is also a squealer. She loves to make noises. When she’s frustrated, she squeals, then blows raspberries.
Marissa still won’t accept solid foods, so she may be our first baby who won’t eat birthday cake on her first birthday! She’s gaining weight well and growing taller, so for now she’s doing all right on the formula and cereal. She’s about 20 lbs now, so she’s gained about six pounds since she came to us, but can still wear 6 month size clothing. She’ll be one year old on September 23.
She lives up to the name we gave her while waiting for her…she’s a “Sweet Baby.”
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Third Week Home
August 28th, 2005
Life is a pathway of choices, each setting us on a different road. We’re so joyful we risked the unknown and obeyed the calling to adopt. Sometimes, while we’re caring for Marissa, we think about how she would still be in the Chinese orphanage, or worse, dead, if we hadn’t chosen this route. Some of the babies were sick enough that we aren’t sure they would have made it if it hadn’t been their time to be adopted. We are humbled by God’s power and grace.
This third week home showed true progression in Marissa’s trust in us and her comfort in our family. She has been sleeping much better, loves Spencer, thinks Shelbie is okay, recognizes her brother when he visits (and loves him), and is understanding english. She can mimic many things and enjoys playing mimic games with people, especially Daddy. She plays differently with each of us and comes to each of us for different things. Daddy says she wants Mama for comfort. Sounds like a normal kid!
The other day, Dennis was blinking his eyes at Marissa, so she started blinking her eyes back at him and smiling. She’s pretty sharp. Marissa is up on all fours now, and is starting to crawl…mostly backwards, which really frustrates her. She seems like an adult in a baby’s body. She knows what she wants, and where she wants to go, but can’t make her body do it.
When we say this child loves music, she LOVES music. She needs to hear it everyday. It makes her so happy. Just getting close to the CD player makes her start moving like she’s dancing. She remembers the tunes and makes nosies like she’s trying to sing them. Sometimes if we’re rocking in her room and Mama sings one of the songs, Marissa will sit up and look at the CD player. She knows where the songs are supposed to comes from. Either that, or she smart enough to politely look at the player to urge Mama not to sing with her croaky voice. Think we’ll end this post on that thought!
Life is a pathway of choices, each setting us on a different road. We’re so joyful we risked the unknown and obeyed the calling to adopt. Sometimes, while we’re caring for Marissa, we think about how she would still be in the Chinese orphanage, or worse, dead, if we hadn’t chosen this route. Some of the babies were sick enough that we aren’t sure they would have made it if it hadn’t been their time to be adopted. We are humbled by God’s power and grace.
This third week home showed true progression in Marissa’s trust in us and her comfort in our family. She has been sleeping much better, loves Spencer, thinks Shelbie is okay, recognizes her brother when he visits (and loves him), and is understanding english. She can mimic many things and enjoys playing mimic games with people, especially Daddy. She plays differently with each of us and comes to each of us for different things. Daddy says she wants Mama for comfort. Sounds like a normal kid!
The other day, Dennis was blinking his eyes at Marissa, so she started blinking her eyes back at him and smiling. She’s pretty sharp. Marissa is up on all fours now, and is starting to crawl…mostly backwards, which really frustrates her. She seems like an adult in a baby’s body. She knows what she wants, and where she wants to go, but can’t make her body do it.
When we say this child loves music, she LOVES music. She needs to hear it everyday. It makes her so happy. Just getting close to the CD player makes her start moving like she’s dancing. She remembers the tunes and makes nosies like she’s trying to sing them. Sometimes if we’re rocking in her room and Mama sings one of the songs, Marissa will sit up and look at the CD player. She knows where the songs are supposed to comes from. Either that, or she smart enough to politely look at the player to urge Mama not to sing with her croaky voice. Think we’ll end this post on that thought!
At Home
August 16th, 2005
Marissa has been home now for over a week. She is still not sleeping all night. Mommy has to say that God has TRULY been keeping her going. It’s been a month of no sleep now. There’s no way Mommy would still be going if God wasn’t working. We asked God to let us glorify Him through this process. He is at work.
Marissa also probably won’t sleep at night until she decides to eat real food from a spoon. Mommy doesn’t even have to worry about trying to get her used to it - Daddy loves to do it! Each night when he comes home from work, he gets a fruit and spoon out and tries to get Marissa interested. He considers it a victory that she didn’t fight him tonight…she just kept shaking her head “no.” He managed to get a few spoonfuls of peaches in. Mommy managed to get Marissa to swallow a drink of apple juice today. She’s so funny the way she gags afterwards. She’ll get used to it! Daddy is cute the way he buys Marissa treats each time he goes to the store for something. He always does the same thing for Mommy! We’ve got a pretty good guy!
Marissa is learning her name. She has had so many “firsts” that it’s hard to remember everything new she’s doing. She claps her hand against ours when we say to clap. She LOVES music SO MUCH! She listens to her baby CD’s and knows the songs when we sing them to her at other times.
At first, she was terrified of the house and dogs, but is now settled in with them. Spencer (the Golden) keeps watch on her at night and at naptime. Shelbie (the Miniature Schnauzer) gets upset when Marissa cries. She is loved.
Marissa’s personality is emerging more each day. The “quiet and gentle child” has a mind of her own and is very funny. When she laughed with Mommy today, I swear she was trying to kiss. She came at Mommy with her mouth open and deliberately moved it to Mommy’s mouth, then just lay there. It made Mommy laugh more because Marissa wouldn’t move. Oh well, we’re already sharing a cold and cough! That’s probably another reason it’s hard to sleep at night. Pray for her because she seems to have bad dreams and memories of the orphanage sometimes at night. In time, that will improve, but we believe prayer works, so let’s use it.
Marissa has been to church, met many new people, went on many neighborhood walks, got a new swing, went swinging at the school with Mommy, starting taking baths in the kitchen sink (much easier for now) and started enjoying them…and so many more “firsts.” As soon as he can, Daddy will post some of the pictures.
Marissa has been home now for over a week. She is still not sleeping all night. Mommy has to say that God has TRULY been keeping her going. It’s been a month of no sleep now. There’s no way Mommy would still be going if God wasn’t working. We asked God to let us glorify Him through this process. He is at work.
Marissa also probably won’t sleep at night until she decides to eat real food from a spoon. Mommy doesn’t even have to worry about trying to get her used to it - Daddy loves to do it! Each night when he comes home from work, he gets a fruit and spoon out and tries to get Marissa interested. He considers it a victory that she didn’t fight him tonight…she just kept shaking her head “no.” He managed to get a few spoonfuls of peaches in. Mommy managed to get Marissa to swallow a drink of apple juice today. She’s so funny the way she gags afterwards. She’ll get used to it! Daddy is cute the way he buys Marissa treats each time he goes to the store for something. He always does the same thing for Mommy! We’ve got a pretty good guy!
Marissa is learning her name. She has had so many “firsts” that it’s hard to remember everything new she’s doing. She claps her hand against ours when we say to clap. She LOVES music SO MUCH! She listens to her baby CD’s and knows the songs when we sing them to her at other times.
At first, she was terrified of the house and dogs, but is now settled in with them. Spencer (the Golden) keeps watch on her at night and at naptime. Shelbie (the Miniature Schnauzer) gets upset when Marissa cries. She is loved.
Marissa’s personality is emerging more each day. The “quiet and gentle child” has a mind of her own and is very funny. When she laughed with Mommy today, I swear she was trying to kiss. She came at Mommy with her mouth open and deliberately moved it to Mommy’s mouth, then just lay there. It made Mommy laugh more because Marissa wouldn’t move. Oh well, we’re already sharing a cold and cough! That’s probably another reason it’s hard to sleep at night. Pray for her because she seems to have bad dreams and memories of the orphanage sometimes at night. In time, that will improve, but we believe prayer works, so let’s use it.
Marissa has been to church, met many new people, went on many neighborhood walks, got a new swing, went swinging at the school with Mommy, starting taking baths in the kitchen sink (much easier for now) and started enjoying them…and so many more “firsts.” As soon as he can, Daddy will post some of the pictures.
Day 12 - 8/4/05 Final Day
August 4th, 2005
Our special journey of love is closing, but only the prologue is over. This is the beginning of a lifetime adventure. We will share tragedies and triumphs, disappointments and joy, and through it all we will grow together. That’s what life is about…how we grow each day and find ways to glorify God in all we do and are. That’s what we pray for Marissa and all the families who have opened their hearts to the special children God has chosen for them. That’s what we want for those of you who have cared enough to take this journey with us.
Today we did last minute shopping and tried to figure out how in the world we are going to get the goodies we purchased home! I think we need one of the freight ships we see on the Pearl River outside our window each day. We have many items to give to Marissa to show her the art and customs of the land she was born in, the country that God allowed to care for our daughter before He placed her with us.
Tonight we had dinner with Ed and baby Emily, and Shannon, Carmen, and baby Sophia, friends from our journey. We’ll all be ready with bags packed at 4:30 AM to prepare to leave for the airport.
We will continue to post a few more things as we get Marissa home, but for now…there’s much to do and we have a 3:00 AM wake-up call!
Our special journey of love is closing, but only the prologue is over. This is the beginning of a lifetime adventure. We will share tragedies and triumphs, disappointments and joy, and through it all we will grow together. That’s what life is about…how we grow each day and find ways to glorify God in all we do and are. That’s what we pray for Marissa and all the families who have opened their hearts to the special children God has chosen for them. That’s what we want for those of you who have cared enough to take this journey with us.
Today we did last minute shopping and tried to figure out how in the world we are going to get the goodies we purchased home! I think we need one of the freight ships we see on the Pearl River outside our window each day. We have many items to give to Marissa to show her the art and customs of the land she was born in, the country that God allowed to care for our daughter before He placed her with us.
Tonight we had dinner with Ed and baby Emily, and Shannon, Carmen, and baby Sophia, friends from our journey. We’ll all be ready with bags packed at 4:30 AM to prepare to leave for the airport.
We will continue to post a few more things as we get Marissa home, but for now…there’s much to do and we have a 3:00 AM wake-up call!
Day 11 - 8/3/05 American Consolate Oath
August 1st, 2005
This morning our group went to the U.S. Consulate for the swearing in ceremony. The adoption is officially complete on both the China and US sides!! Marissa is stuck with us!
There were two lines at the U.S. Consulate. We, of course, were in the US citizens line, and we were quickly moved inside and taken care of. The building didn’t look as I expected it to. Cameras are not allowed inside, so we do not have photos to post, but it seemed more like going into Motor Vehicles Registration than a US Consulate office.
Even though the swearing in is a quick process, it was a touching moment. The depth of what we have done struck me again and I had tears in my eyes as I said the words. Afterwards, all the parents cheered and we told our babies what had happened. Marissa is not a US citizen yet, though. She will be as soon as she touches US soil. That will happen when we make a flight connection in Detroit on August 5th. This afternoon we also received Marissa’s passport.
Some of the families are starting to leave now. It’s good to see everyone heading for home to continue their lives together, yet watching them leave is bittersweet. The time spent here is priceless. It is an atmosphere totally removed from everyday concerns where parents are able to devote themselves entirely to their new child. The time will always be remembered with great fondness and love. The families here share an incredible life-changing experience and our brief time together is special in a bonding way that is only understood by those involved. MaryBeth, you are here in our hearts and traveling this journey with us. Your job has been the hardest and your joy is about to come.
This morning our group went to the U.S. Consulate for the swearing in ceremony. The adoption is officially complete on both the China and US sides!! Marissa is stuck with us!
There were two lines at the U.S. Consulate. We, of course, were in the US citizens line, and we were quickly moved inside and taken care of. The building didn’t look as I expected it to. Cameras are not allowed inside, so we do not have photos to post, but it seemed more like going into Motor Vehicles Registration than a US Consulate office.
Even though the swearing in is a quick process, it was a touching moment. The depth of what we have done struck me again and I had tears in my eyes as I said the words. Afterwards, all the parents cheered and we told our babies what had happened. Marissa is not a US citizen yet, though. She will be as soon as she touches US soil. That will happen when we make a flight connection in Detroit on August 5th. This afternoon we also received Marissa’s passport.
Some of the families are starting to leave now. It’s good to see everyone heading for home to continue their lives together, yet watching them leave is bittersweet. The time spent here is priceless. It is an atmosphere totally removed from everyday concerns where parents are able to devote themselves entirely to their new child. The time will always be remembered with great fondness and love. The families here share an incredible life-changing experience and our brief time together is special in a bonding way that is only understood by those involved. MaryBeth, you are here in our hearts and traveling this journey with us. Your job has been the hardest and your joy is about to come.
Day 10 - 8/2/05 - American Consolate Appointment, Group Red Couch Photo, and Group Dinner
August 1st, 2005
Today we had to wait in our hotel rooms from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM just in case the American Consulate had questions about our files. No one from our group had any problems!
Each adopted baby from China gets the traditional “red couch” photo before they go home with their forever families. Today was the special day for our travel group - the Guangdong group. We also had our group photo taken. It took quite a while to get the babies and parents and cameras situated, so even if a baby did extraordinarily well for a while, eventually in at least one picture, they are caught crying. These special children have been through so much in the last two weeks. Our travel group hasn’t been able to spend a lot of time together, since we had so many sick babies, but we have seen our babies grow and develop and begin to bond, and each precious moment is priceless.
We also had the traditional group dinner, where many chose to wear traditional Chinese clothing. Marissa loved mommy’s dress. She thought it was so pretty, she kept touching and staring at it. She also loves mommy’s hair and likes to lay close to my shoulder and stroke my hair while she looks at me. She was very good at the dinner. Right now she just takes everything in.
She can be very serious because she really wants to see all the things and study all the things she has never experienced, but when she plays she has that sweet baby laugh/giggle. She is a joy!
After dinner, we watched the CHI Powerpoint presentation of the CHI Foundation (raises money for surgeries for the orphanage children, and the presentation for all 55 familes CHI has adopting in China right now. The presentation showed all the babies coming to and being with their new families over the past two weeks. It really is a blessing to all involved to see God’s children receive so much love and attention and a permanent home.
Today we had to wait in our hotel rooms from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM just in case the American Consulate had questions about our files. No one from our group had any problems!
Each adopted baby from China gets the traditional “red couch” photo before they go home with their forever families. Today was the special day for our travel group - the Guangdong group. We also had our group photo taken. It took quite a while to get the babies and parents and cameras situated, so even if a baby did extraordinarily well for a while, eventually in at least one picture, they are caught crying. These special children have been through so much in the last two weeks. Our travel group hasn’t been able to spend a lot of time together, since we had so many sick babies, but we have seen our babies grow and develop and begin to bond, and each precious moment is priceless.
We also had the traditional group dinner, where many chose to wear traditional Chinese clothing. Marissa loved mommy’s dress. She thought it was so pretty, she kept touching and staring at it. She also loves mommy’s hair and likes to lay close to my shoulder and stroke my hair while she looks at me. She was very good at the dinner. Right now she just takes everything in.
She can be very serious because she really wants to see all the things and study all the things she has never experienced, but when she plays she has that sweet baby laugh/giggle. She is a joy!
After dinner, we watched the CHI Powerpoint presentation of the CHI Foundation (raises money for surgeries for the orphanage children, and the presentation for all 55 familes CHI has adopting in China right now. The presentation showed all the babies coming to and being with their new families over the past two weeks. It really is a blessing to all involved to see God’s children receive so much love and attention and a permanent home.
Day 9 - 8/1/05
August 1st, 2005
Today was bright and sunny! No more rain off and on! We went shopping.
Mommy went for a foot massage at a professional parlor. The massage lasted 70 minutes, and was actually almost a total body massage. The staff also brought mommy fresh watermelon slices and hot tea. All this only cost RMB $48 - or USD $6. Marissa and daddy took a walk by the river, then came back and Marissa enjoyed watching. Daddy didn’t get one - he doesn’t like massages! Momm enjoyed the massage, but since she’s “tender” she had to keep saying to ease up!
Mommy got strawberry ice cream afterwards and daddy got a fresh baked pastry. Marissa still won’t take anything but her bottle, so she didn’t want any of mommy’s ice cream. Once she tastes it, that’ll change!
Daddy bought a new carrier for Marissa today. He didn’t like mommy’s and wanted something he could also carry Marissa in. It is similar to a Snugli brand. Marissa loves riding facing forward. She has to see what’s going on. Get this…the brand name is funny. It’s “Mr. Nipple.” Now, that’s love for daddy to wear it! Think she’s got him wrapped around her finger?
This afternoon before we left for the cruise we played in the White Swan Mattel playroom again. Marissa had fun sitting up to play. You can tell by her photos that she is developing those muscles quickly.
Tonight we went on a group dinner cruise. We met at 5:45 and rode a bus to the river to dock. It was fun. Daddy really enjoyed the dinner and ate things like octopus and duck, pork and chicken, different vegetables, rice dumplings…quite a variety of food and he really liked it all. Marissa was an angel. She didn’t fuss at all, even though she started to get tired. After dinner we went to the top deck and walked outside. Bright lights on tall buildings bordered the river, so Marissa was mesmerized by them. She really likes bright colors and those big eyes were absorbing everything! We got back to the hotel room at about 8:45…late for all the babies who needed to get back and take baths, then eat dinner. Marissa has now had her bottle, medicine, and bath and is sleeping next to daddy on the bed while he watchs TV.
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