August 29, 2004

Subject: SUNDAY

So far today we haven't done much. Liu took a few of our group to
the Great Wall, and we stayed and did school work!! Claudio and I
(along with Emma) went with Patti, Bill & Lily to the Park n Shop
store across from the hotel and picked up our film. It was about $5
for 5 rolls of film, which all came in little photo albums and a
cd!! Lily is so precious. She is 2 years old but very much a baby.
She loves to sit in between Patti & Sera and sit on both of their
laps. She even calls Sera "mama".. so she is Mama #2!! Yesterday,
Sera had been holding Lily on her lap, and then she wanted to go
back to Patti, so then Emma wanted to sit on Sera's lap. Lily
proceeded to come right on over and push Emma off of Sera's lap!!
Too funny!

Well I have been saying too much about what we have done and not
enough about Emma! She has completely bonded to all 3 of us. A few
days ago, she was so friendly and would go to anyone. But last night
at the hotel some girls were playing with her and wanted to hold
her, and she let them know that she did not want to be held by
them!! She loves her big sister Sera and prefers to be held by her.
Emma has just started this thing where she doesn't want to go to
sleep when you put her in the crib. So she will start to cry, but we
will lay on the bed and let her know we are there until she calms
down. I think she is so used to sleeping with all of the other
girls, that she needs someone with her. Other than that she is a
busy and happy girl. So tiny though! Last night she had on a 12
month size outfit and we had to roll the pants up twice, and they
were still falling down! She fits in most 6-9-12 month outfits. Her
eczema on her legs is looking much better! She also has a large
mongolian spot on her butt.. it looks like a black & blue bruise,
but it's not. She also has a missing fingernail on her left thumb,
but that's nothing severe. She is so adorable and has the cutest
smile and laugh! We can't wait for all of you to meet her. She is
sucha wonderful gift from God and makes this long trip all worth it!

The Manbens in China