Saturday-July 25th-2:00 P.M.
This morning David took us to the Guangzhou Zoo. It was a great. The zoo was right in the heart of Guangzhou. It had a wide variety of animals from both China and Africa and yes Pandas. I think Will enjoyed it more than Isabel, neither had been to the zoo before. We think Isabel enjoyed the zoo, but of course we don't know for sure.
She still is barely speaking even with David. We've been told that Isabel speaks a different dialect call "Hakka.". Yesterday at the orphanage we asked if she was scared of anything. They told us that she was not scared of anything except people. We all laughed at that. Shyness seems to be her only issue. She is so timid. Please say a prayer that she will grow out of this. Isabel has such a pretty smile, but we only rarely see it. And when she does smile she covers her mouth with her hand. We really don't have any pictures where she is smiling.
A little while ago we received a phone call from the front desk telling us that we had to move from our room 1527 to 1823. Do you know how long it took us to explain that to Isabel? The way we understood it, they had to move everyone on the 15th floor to another floor. Some type of problem. They sent a crib to the room instead of the small bed. We then tried to tell them that we needed a roll away bed. We thought they understood and when we came back we had both a crib and an extra bed. We finally just gave up and moved to crib ourself. As you can see our Chinese is not great.
We are now moved and resettled in our new room. We're relaxing watching TV. We are really starting to enjoy Chinese TV. It's quite different than American tv, many soap opera type shows. We have a little routine of dinner then bath time. This is followed by studying English letters and phrases then a little TV before bed at nine. Similar to her schedule at the orphanage. Each night we watch the same soap opera. Will and I call it "As China Turns." It's really getting good. Last night I couldn't hear the TV and I found myself telling Isabel to turn it up. Will started laughing and said, "why do you have to hear it, you have no idea what they are saying.". Isabel just looked at us and smiled.
She was worth the wait.
Hugs and kisses, love to all!
Will, Marla, and Isabel
Can't wait to get up each morning and read the latest chapter in "Meet Isabel'. I also am reading it out loud to my mom and we both laugh and cry through every post. I hope you will consider keeping this blog up when you are back in the states. It will be such a treasure to Isabel some day (plus being a treasure to your friends and family now!)
ReplyDeleteJust a week til you will be back. Can't hardly wait to meet Isabel. I think the shyness will get better as she comprehends your love and care and learns to trust.
Miss you! love, Beth
I cannot wait to read the post too. I checked it agian and again early tonight. And now I am reading it.After reading the post, I really want to help,but,Marla,I know this is the stone you three have to move it away together. Everything will get better, just give Isabel some time ,she will do it.~!
ReplyDeleteLove you all,
Yan
You are making a scrapbook, aren't you? Your blogs will make a cute book with the pictures you took. I doubt any of you will forget this trip but it would be like a baby book to look at over the years to reminisce. It is kind of ironic that YOUR child is reluctant to show her feelings. Yet.
ReplyDeleteAl and Mel here again. Just wanted to tell you how happy we are for you again. I'm so excited to meet your sweet daughter and see pictures! We are reading and praying daily!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!