Day 4

Hello everyone, this is Scott doing the blog for day 4. Just so that everyone knows for some reason we have not been able to access our journey to brooklyn website while we are in China. So this means that we have not been able to view any of the comments that you have sent. Brandon said there is a lot and we can't wait to read them when we get back. Please keep them coming though. Also, if anyone wants to talk with us please e-mail at: slbrown1980@aol.com. We are getting our e-mail just fine.

First, I want to mention that we miss our kids so much! While we have been gone this has happened with our kids: Brandon is already being recruited for "Teach for America" which is a prestigious 2 year paid teaching position that will also pay for his continuing education. Unbelievable. Brittany just won her Special Olympic State Softball Tourney and scored a run and had a hit. Brady just named team captain (along with Parker Settle) of his CG Middle School Team in cross country. Bryce had 4 sacks in the backfield in his last football game. We have missed alot already and we still have 10 days to go. But, as you will read in the following paragraphs, Brooklyn is worth it and I know our kids agree 100%.

Brooklyn is as beautiful as her mom Laurie! I was worried about when the nannies handed her over on how she would react. She reacted by screaming! She was obviously close with her nannies and loved them. It took her about 15 minutes to settle down. After that she has gotten used to us more by the minute. She is not scared of me at all and likes either one of us to hold her. She loves being held! She smiles easily and so far the only word she says sounds like "mom" (at least we think so).

Brooklyn is also walking. She only does this when she wants to! So far she has walked 3 different times on her own in the 24 hours we have had her. The farthest was about 10 steps. Brooklyn is very alert and has great fine motor skills. She can stack cups and her grip is strong. So far her favorite toy is a toy telephone we got at Meier. She won't hardly let go of it. She is a picky eater. We have not gotten her formula the way she likes it so she has been eating bananas and cheerios and lots of juices. We just got back from McDonalds and she loved her fries (we know she is a Brown now!) and pieces of my quarter pounder!

Brooklyn slept through the night her first time. She went to bed about 9pm got up at 6:30 the next morning. Brooklyn has 8 teeth already! She likes to put a blanket in her mouth when sleeping or upset. We were told today that this a common custom in China. Similar to American babies sucking there thumbs. She is little and petite. Laurie says she wears 9 month clothes (she is 13 months old). Laurie and I cannot believe how good of a decision this was. We are very happy and so is Brooklyn.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and we will try and update more each day. One more thing, we would like to thank both grandma's and Darla for taking care of our kids.

Thank you,
Scott