Our first day photos

(This post was begun two days ago...but we had internet issues) from Tuesday, August 2nd:

Maylin is supposed to be sleeping for her afternoon rest. 

But I guess the short visits with siblings is actually a better use of her time for now.

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I interrupt this post to grin and laugh out loud...Jon just said "water" as 

Maylin took her drink bottle into her hand. 

She twinkled back at him and said, 

"water"

in the clearest, loudest (sassiest) voice she's used since we met. 

What a hoot.

She is certainly full of spunk...She's now being very silly with him, chattering away in Chinese,
cackling at his antics (offering him yogurt...which he despises)

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The four sibs that are here in China will begin their trip back home late tonight.
They're so glad they were able to meet her early, but

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I interrupt again to say she just said, "gege Jon," 

(sounds like guh-guh Jon) so we already have two English words!)
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I think I'll just post some photos, and save you the ramblings of
the sleep-deprived person on the other side of the world. 

first meeting in the hotel lobby

our first glimpse of Maylin

 After our day together, Daddy danced with Maylin in our hotel room. Peter caught her giggles on camera and we'll cherish those first cackles that she gave Daddy! She loved it.


We spent much of that first day, hand-in-sweaty-hand as we walked to and from the mall area. She never spoke and she didn't smile until supper when I was tickling her gently. She'd answered Peter in Chinese a little later, and gave us a few smiles by the time we were back in our room...but this dance had Daddy's heart wrapped around her little finger more than she knows.

There are just so many stairs for her little legs to travel!

On the train to Baotou, we were in the open sleeper cars. Very interesting transportation system they have in China.


On the right is our good friend, Peter, who went with us to Hohhot the first time and made Maylin's first days sooo much better than they might have been. We now considered him her Uncle. What a gift his gentle spirit is!

The first photo of most of our gang. We're anxious to have a picture with the other three still at home!

(Posting photos of my newest girlie may be my one weakness...)