Alice Day

Oh what a day!! We arrived at the Civil Affairs office today around 2:30 and as we got out of the van, I all of the sudden was anxious and the tears started coming...we. went into the big room and there were lots of other families there..some with kids and some waiting...we sat down and I looked up and immediately saw her 2 nannies-the ones from all the pictures....they said it was time to go get her and we got up and out they came with her...the most beautiful angel. She was so solemn...we got some stuff out of the backpack we brought, but she was not interested so much. Finally, she took one cheerio that she held for a few hours, she took a sticker and then a sucker...she did not want to come with me at first but did not cry when I took her hand and walked her with me over to the chair. I picked her up and put her in my lap...she just sat there with no expression. We went to another room to talk everything over and ask the nannies any questions and give them the gifts we brought. She figeted some and tried to get down, but when I held on to her, she quit trying to squirm. She was dressed in winter clothes and had beads of sweat on her nose, so we took her sweater off and let her cool off. The nannies brought me a bag with 6 cameras in it, the ones we sent in our care packages. I lost it and was just boohooing. It was the greatest day. We then went to get our picture made and she saw the nannies again...she reached for one and they held her for one last time...then, I got her back and she waved bye-bye to them,,,,we left in the van and headed to Carrefour (like Walmart). She was fine there..rode in the buggy and ate a sucker. Then, we headed back to the hotel by 4:30...we played for a few minutes and then, it hit her...she looked up with her lip poked out and started crying. (Then I started crying because the sweet sound broke my heart)...she sobbed for a while and I just held her and rocked her and she let me. She kept going to the door and so I would take her out and we walked around the hall. She would do fine for a while and have a little fun and then, she would say this one word over and over and she would tear up. She has done that several times. Supper seemed to break the ice...she ate and ate...rice, meatballs and some pizza. She is very independent...I can already tell. Wanted to feed her self and used an open cup perfectly. She wore the stacking cups out and knows exactly what she is doing. She is very smart. We did try the bath and it was a success, even lathered up her head and poured water over her head. She took off her own shoes and clothes and was apprehensive, but eventually warmed up and sat down in the water...Charlie really helped with that. We brushed her hair and got new pjs on. I hugged Charles and gave him a kiss on the cheek and she came over to me and kissed my cheek just a little bit ago. When we show her pictures of us, she says who we are in Chinese...so sweet. I will try to post a video of that later maybe tomorrow. For now, I will post a few pictures from the day by email....Enjoy!! Thanks for the prayers....keep praying...not sure how bedtime will be, we are about to find out....:) I am not proofing this so forgive me if it doesn't make sense!!!
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