I just wanted to share some
of Michelle's recent email about how things are going. It's so sweet to hear how Nick and Riley are interacting with each other. And wait until you read what Nick said to Michelle about Riley...it will melt your heart. =)
Welp, we made it through the first day without too many issues! So far
Riley seems like a really, really good sleeper, but that may be just due to the
exhaustion she may feel from being placed with this huge white family! Ted has
been the one feeding her so to help with bonding, but that didn't last too long.
She only wants to be held by me and will not go in the stroller or high chair.
Riley is very quiet around Ted, but I hear this is very typical. She is
very withdrawn when we leave our hotel room. Maybe she fears of what may be
next? She is a totally different child in the hotel room, especially when it's
only Nick and I! She swings her arms around and acts silly, and she loves to
play games. She was chewing on a crayon and knew she should not do it, but made
a game out of it. Later she approached Nick and tickled HIM! They rolled around
on the floor and she would laugh and laugh!
It is super, super hot and humid here! And our next stop will be even
worse! The men walked to Walmart this morning which is about 4 (long) blocks
away from the hotel. I say "long" because they need to cross the street 3 times
which is the craziest feat ever!!! But so far it seems safe if you stick with
the pack of people and scooters. Oh, yeah...Walmart is NOT at all like our
Walmart!
It is wonderful to have a free day with no place to go. Tomorrow we're
suppose to go visit Riley's orphanage in the morning, but do not have anything
that we must do in the afternoon. We really do not have the energy to go, but
feel we need to see it. We found out that it's not the Maria's Big House of Hope
orphanage, but a sister orphanage. Still a very, very nice orphanage with a lot
of American influence.
This morning before Riley woke up Nick came over to the bed and hugged me.
He said "Thank you so much for letting me come along to China to get my sister.
I would have been very sad if I stayed at home and could not have been in China
to see her. She's so cute, isn't she? I really love her." No, I'm not kidding
you...he was very clear and wanted to be sure to tell me before Riley woke up. I
guess he over heard our conversations about debating whether to take him or
not. It's not easy entertaining Nick at times, especially since he's so excited
about everything, but I can see in his actions and Riley's that it was a good
move.
Riley is pretty tiny. I'm glad I did bring along her 18 month clothing. I'm
sure some of the 12-18 mo. clothing at home will be perfect. She's having a
tough time drinking from any of the cups, bottles or sippy cups that I have. She
keeps dripping when she drinks. Eating is okay. She is very much like an infant
in her eating, which is partly due to her lip and palate, but is doing some
things that is very age appropriate or even above. I'm so happy for her little
dimples!
Welp, I better get back. We all slept about 10 hours last night...more then we
ever have, and Nick did not want to take a nap. Hope everyone is doing well!
Love,
Michelle & family
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