Finally - Word from China (again)

Sorry for being so quiet! Actually I have continued to blog each day but Mollie just told me our emails are not coming thru. Hopefully this one works! How is Tiffin? We re on the countdown to coming home. I really think this time alone with Max is a blessing. I never thought I would sy that! Of course we miss the Shoo very much, but we have had the opportunity to really bond and get to know Max. He will absolutely LOVE the other kids in his life when we get home. He is very outgoing and naturally gravitates toward other children. He was snuggling in bed with us this morning and I told him that next Sunday he will be snuggling with us and his big sister!
The White Swan rocks. Eric says it is like being in Vegas and coming home to the casino you are staying at. You just feel comfortable. Mom is able and VERY willing to go out shopping on her own. It is very safe and people with babies are everywhere! We are happy with the food here...too happy as a matter of fact! Last night we had cocktails in our room and then went to a Japanese steakhouse. They are so kid friendly here...Max had a rice omelet with papaya and a deep fried scampi..that was the kids menu! He LOVED it. Actually, he ate great yesterday. He loves banannas and will eat anything that you mix them with. It is hotter here than even in Chongqing...and it was HOT there! It is not the temp so much (about 90-94) , it is the humidity. You feel like you are walking in quicksand the minute you step outside. Eric and dad sweat thru their shirts immediately. Eric and the Zhonger have really started bonding. It is awesome to watch. They are already further along that he was with Corinne for like 2 months! I had to leave for 2 hours yesterday to do more paperwork and they had a great time together. We are not really bonded with this group. It is not like last time. I think it is because we were not in the provience together. Gettin your babies together is a extremely bonding experience. This group all went our separate ways and now have come back together. They babies are beautiful though. It is so fun to see all of them. Many have special needs of some sort . In fact, 8 babies out of our 9 are classified specail needs. One little girl doesn't have a hand, another repaired clef lip/palet etc. It really hit home with us that this "lslow down" had really been good for the babies that might have otherwise not have ben adopted thru the "normal" process. It really warms your heart. We found out that when we got Corinne in 2005 adoptions over here were at their peak of 8000 adoptions/year. Last year it dipped to a new low of only 2800 adoptions/year. CRAZY numbers!
EWric ran around the Island yesterday..it is just over a mile around and he ran it 3 times. Impressive because he did it in the afternoon heat! He was soaked!

(The fact that it ended so abruptly with no sign off means they were cut off - so this is Meg signing off for them).

Love,

Mary Claire, Eric and Max!