A Better Day

Today we had a "free day" to spend having fun with our new daughter.  After a nice breakfast at the hotel our guide took us to Children's Park.  It was a beautiful park with several flowers, trees, and plants.  The park also had several play areas.  Maren really enjoyed playing in a ball pit and water area.  She especially liked scooping objects in the water with a net.  Everyone we encountered at the park were really nice to us.  One gentleman spoke to us at length through our interpreter.  He was at the park with his 18 month old grandson.  Even though we are several thousand miles away from family we have been surrounded by kind and helpful people.  Our guide took us to a really good restaurant that had "western" food.  It was such a delight to be able to read a menu.  It is humbling to think about all the little things we take for granted.  Maren went for her first swim tonight at the hotel pool.  She loves the water and making splashes, but she is not real fond of getting her face wet.  She is going to have so much fun with her brothers and sister when we get back home.

Maren continues to amaze us.  She is showing us more laughs and smiles throughout the day and engages in play with us.  She would make noises to be silly and imitate our sounds.  We were delighted to hear her giggle so much today.  She likes to tease us in her play.  We continue to learn more about what she likes to eat, her sleeping patterns, and her personality.  What a joy it is to hear her say "mamma" and "dadda".  Maren is really mobile and gets around really well in the hotel room.  I am beginning to think I did not childproof enough stuff in our house based on how well she moves around.  Overall this was a better day.  We are so thankful for all your prayers.