Max Facts

Hi All
Well the internet is a little faster this morning so I will try to be a bit more detailed. We had our first full day yesterday with Max. It is crazy how fast you learn about your own child. I was so worried he would wake up scared...he was fine. He wakes up so slow, just like Corinne. I fear we won't be getting out of the house before 10:00 am any morning at home!! We then took him to breakfast, he liked sausage and steamed egg. He still didn't drink anything for me. I have tried hot/cold milk, formola, juice, sippy/bottle, nothing has been working. He doesn't seem to mind though. We then came back to the room to send the pictures of him. At 10:00 on the dot he pulled at his ear, got a little fussy , walked to his crib, and stood there...I can take a hint...nap time! We left to officially make him ours at 11:30. First we went to a department store for some supplies. $50.00 American for a bubble stroller! We tried to buy him new shoes, which wasn't easy. He has a short FAT foot...and I mean fat! His shoes really need to fit because his feet are not quite right yet. His right one is pretty straight, but his left one is a little turned in. It doesn't not stop him from RUNNING everywhere so it is something we will take care of back in Tiffin...Thank God for my Brother-in-law the podiatrist!! We got to the adoption ministry center and were feeling nothing but dread. Eric and I both were so worried about Max having to see the nanny from yesterday again. We didn't know how he would react. They were late getting there and the director of the Orphanage came, not the nanny. When she tried to to take Max from me HE WOULDN"T GO!!! He wanted to stay with me. There is NOTHING on God's earth that could have made me hand him over, and they tried. Eric said he thought they were happy because that , obviously, is a good thing. We learned that Max has had an interesting life so far. He spent the first 2 months in an orphanage. Then in July 2008 he was taken to Beijing for his surgery. A foreign doctor did it at a free hospital. I Beijing he stayed with a foster family until we don't know when. He then was placed in the hospital for rehab. He had one other buddy with him and a nanny taking care of both. We are unsure how long he was in there. We know that he was brought back to the orphanage in June of this year and joined with us a few days ago. He probably adjusted to the situation so well because of all of his travels.
Our guide and her daughter joined us for dinner last night so they could help us decipher the menu. Eric ended up getting cow's nose, dad rabbit mom beef and I got eggplant. It was soooo spicy that Eric and dad had tears in their eyes. Eric swore that they had dumped battery acid on his tongue!
Max Facts:
1. He has a great laugh! His whole body laughs. Dad and he played a game with a kleenex last night that had him, and dad, rolling!
2. When he is sad, there is no one sadder.
3. He has the cutest big ears that he like to pull on.
4. He is STRONG. I think he may rivial Billy for upper body strength. Dad lost a tug of war yesterday.
5. His hands are big and feel as if he has worked in a rice paddy field. I am going to work with my lotion!
6. He looked EVERYWHERE for Eric last night at the restaurant. He likes to keep all of his playes close.
7. He love riding in cars. No carseats here and crazy traffic. Not for the faint of heart.
8. He loves his bath.
9. He sleeps perpendiculaar on a bed
10. We love him so much !! How is that possiblke? We haven't even KNOWN him 36 hours!

Love to all, Hope all is well,
Eric and Mary Claire (Max too)