The Peoples' Park

Our wonderful guide, Miss Karen, giving us a lesson in Chinese character writing

The entrance to Peoples' Park

My Lola ("Grandma") exercising

Mia practicing her walking

Inflatable beach balls that allowed us to walk on water!

Matthew says: We had so much fun at the People’s Park today. Because going to the gym in china is so expensive, the government put in an exercise playground for all ages. We had to try out everything, and even though it was definitely fun, it did give you a great workout. There were things that helped you give yourself a massage, chin-up bars that rolled, monkey bars, leg exercisers, ski and walking machines, all made in robust playground style and free for everyone. Even though this was fun and we got to see Mia stand on own (she seems behind in her gross motor skills, but okay in her fine motor skills), this was far from the highlight of the day. After our playground workout, we went down to the lake and walked on water. Just kidding, we mostly just rolled on the lake, but there was a little walking too. We stepped inside inflated gigantic clear beach balls, and rolled onto the lake. It was awesome. It was as if each of us was in our own little hamster ball and we ran and rolled and crashed into each other and flopped around and laughed our heads off until somebody figured we were running out of air and hauled us in. It was so cool, and we are going to try to get some of our own to play around with and if we can figure out the liability issue, we might even try to start a business.

4-10-10

Matthew says:

Maria says: As Mia becomes more and more familiar with us, we are seeing more and more elements of her natural personality emerge. Through observation, the boys have decided that she fits right into our family...she shows good evidence of being a very sensitive, strong willed woman who loves to be on the move, just like her mother. It's fascinating to watch her. Because many of the things she is seeing are completely new to her, everyday it seems like she is eager to see more and more. She is observing and absorbing everything: the river, the busses, the goldfish in the pond, Dale and Michael playing catch. If the person holding her stops for a moment or sits down, she makes a slight protest and moves her body in the direction she wants to see. I told the boys that it is their job to be her narrator...they need to narrate everything that she is seeing. She is like a new born infant taking in the world for the very first time, but supersized (both in her physical size as well as in her ability to actually master new skills.) We've watched her transfer things from one hand to another, put things into her own mouth, take a few wobbly steps after standing on her own for about 10 minutes, etc. (We know these are things she should have mastered long before now...we were told to expect that she would be developmentally behind but she would catch up quickly.) Everything seems new for her, and she seems eager to grasp and grab at it all.

After our super fun morning at the People's Park, Karen told us about a foot refloxology/acupressure/ massage place right by our hotel. Because I couldn't pass up the opportunity, my mom and I enjoyed an hour long fabulous foot reflexology/foot massage for 30 yuan, which equates to less than 5 US dollars!

Each day, Mia seems to be eating better and sleeping better and pooping better. Thank you, God!

Tomorrow, Karen said we would be travelling into the country side to see the kind of village Mia was likely to come from. Tonight, my mom and I went to the local grocery store to buy some treats and gifts to give to the children in the villages upon the recommendation fo Karen. I'm looking forward to our excursion!
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Matthew Theis