It's official...  Abigail is our daughter!  We went back to the Civil Affairs office this morning to sign the legal adoption documents, answer a few basic interview questions and then both Abby and I sealed the adoption with our thumbprints.  We saw the families from yesterday and the little girl who was crying and hitting was much calmer, and was sitting on her new mother's lap.  She did fuss a little due to the stress of the environment but I think she'll adjust just fine.

Abigail slept very well last night - She fell asleep in my arms as I fed her a bottle of warm milk and talked with Mike on the phone.  She woke up around 2am but didn't make a sound.  I opened my eyes to check on her and saw her little sweet face peering through the crib.  I changed her diaper then laid her back in her crib.  She woke up again around 4:00am (again, did not make a sound).  She reached out to hold my hand.  I picked her up and held her for a little while then put her back to bed.

She's giggled a few times when my dad tickles her..  She loves to play with stacking cups and, of course, my cell phone.  She reaches out often to be held.  She likes to be held in the ErgoBaby carrier.  She loves music and will dance and clap.  She loves to eat.

I miss my boys at home and my husband serving our country.  We have one more week of paperwork processing..  I hope to enjoy this quiet, one-on-one time with Abigail.  Things will be a lot different when we get home!

I haven't been able to post pictures - my sister (who created the awesome blog design, by the way) is going to attempt posting pictures I email to her.

Abigail is here!!  I first met her at 2:00pm at the Nanjing Civil Affairs office.  There were 5 other families receiving their children at the same time.  Emotions were high all around..  Then children 3 years old and younger started arriving, carried by orphanage caretakers.  When I saw Abigail from the window, I choked up with emotion and cried, "There she is!  It's her!"  Then they walk in and stand before me..  What do you do?  I reached out to her and let her touch my fingers..  the orphanage director hands her to me and says, "Ma Ma".

I sign paperwork that I can't read, we take a "family photo" (without Mike - we miss him so much!) and I was able to ask a few questions like what does she eat (congee and steamed egg, warm milk in a bottle, rice, noodles, some vegetables, fruit), when does she sleep, does she have a favorite friend (yes, a little boy)...  I requested to visit the orphanage and we plan to go Thursday.  I would like to see where she's lived these first couple years of her life, and meet her special nanny.  She was selected to be a little sister in the Half the Sky Foundation program and has had only two nannies who lovingly took care of her - so she's had consistency and felt love.  The nannies made a memory album for her with many photos from tiny infant to now, with written updates on milestones, her birthday and other special events.

She has a super sweet demeaner, likes music and loves to eat (she ate heartily at dinner).  She had never taken a bath and wasn't too sure about that but settled down after I dressed her in warm pajamas and gave her a warm bottle of milk.  I held her as she fell asleep then laid her in the crib.

There was another baby girl, maybe 2 1/2 or 3 years old, who was insolible when her new family went to receive her.  The baby hit her new mother many times and cried and cried.  So scared.  I pray that she settles down soon.

What a day.  So many firsts for sweet Abigail..  What a blessing she is to our family!

The last night

  

These last few days have been fun and mentally restful..  The process of adoption, the paperwork and waiting, is pretty exhausting after a while - especially when you've been doing this for 6 years.  I've learned a lot from the Lord during that time - to wait, trust, and wait some more.  The Lord placed a little girl from China on our hearts those many years ago.  I can't believe we're finally going to meet her!

Although I've read books, attended webinars and training sessions, I know our actual experience in bonding together will be unique to us.  I pray I will share God's deep love with Abigail as she feels many emotions - separation, fear and uncertainty.  I can only imagine what she will work through in the transition to a new family.  We will need the Lord's strength and wisdom in the days ahead.

I was encouraged by Matthew 14 as the disciples felt fear in their situation in a turbulent time on the water..  Jesus said, "Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid." If I keep my eyes on Jesus, I need not be afraid.  

Tonight is Abby's last night in the orphanage.  We already have her crib in the hotel room, ready for tomorrow.  We meet her at 2:00pm, then will start our life with her..

My posts will likely be shorter in the days ahead as I will be busy, embracing Abigail and taking in as much as I can in this beautiful country.  Thank you for your notes of encouragement and prayer.  They are a wonderful support!  OO Hugs from China OO  

Today was a bad hair day..  My straightening iron stopped working due to some sort of power surge.  Then we turned on the tv in our hotel room and the lights in the room went out.  A couple very loud, Chinese speaking maintenance men came to fix things.  The tv works now but my straightening iron is toast.  I asked a hotel staff person where I can find another one to purchase..  he said, "Just use hair dryer." It turned out to be a good thing I didn't spend time on my hair since it is cold and rainy.  We pressed forward despite the rain and were able to see some interesting sites.

 Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square

We had a delicious lunch at the home of a family in "old Beijing" then took a rickshaw around the area.  I couldn't see much since the rickshaw was covered with a protective tarp and our driver had a large blue umbrella.

Despite the cold and rain, I enjoyed the day and the beauty of these people.  The layout and architecture of buildings are done with such careful thought and reflect deeper meanings, such as prosperity, safety and long life.  The Chinese respect and honor their elders, giving them the best treatment.  Families are intergenerational with grandparents, parents and children involved in daily life together.  Homes are small - most people in big cities like Beijing live in apartments.  Our guide said typical families sleep with parents and children in the same bedroom, since there is only one bedroom in the small house or apartment.  But this is their way, and they are happy.

Later this afternoon, we have an orientation with our adoption agency's China staff person.  Then we'll grab a quick dinner, probably at McDonalds (we've eaten Chinese food the last 3 meals) and go to an acrobatic show.

We fly to Nanjing in the morning and meet Abigail the next day!!  I am praying for this special and highly emotional time for new daughter and mother.

 Today has been an wonderful day..  

We started at the Cloisonne Factory and saw how beautiful vases, ornaments and other decorative pieces are carefully handcrafted.  I bought this vase for our home - the picture (taken inside the hotel room) does not begin to show the lovely colors and details.  

Next, we headed to the Great Wall..  this is truly an amazing site to see.  We walked up almost one thousand steps (a great work out!) along with many other people from around the world.  It's fun to enjoy one of the seven wonders of the world with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

We ended the day at the Beijing Olympic Park built for the 2008 Olympics.  The Communist Party is having a major meeting within the next week which will decide who the major political leaders will be for the next 10 years.  We've observed lots of clean up activities going on, especially in major tourist spots like Olympic Park.

We spent the day with another family who is adopting a 6 year old girl and it's been fun connecting with other people who feel the same anticipation and love for a little girl they've never met.  

Bird's Nest at Olympic Park

We made it!!  After 12 1/2 long hours on the plane, we finally made it!  I'm exhausted as I only dozed here and there..  no "real" sleep for me in over 24 hours!  I did watch 3 movies, ate bad airplane food and drank lots of coffee.  I'm headed to bed then we're off to the Great Wall and the Bird's Nest (built for the Olympics) first thing in the morning.

I'll leave you with my first bathroom experience..  the squatty potty at the airport.  I waited for the western style toilet at the hotel, but I'm sure this will be part of my adventure..

The adventure begins... First San Francisco (4 hour flight), then Beijing (12 1/2 hour flight).  My kindle is juiced up and ready to go.  After all the many, many preparations and a few tears saying good bye to the boys, I'm ready to go to China and meet little Abigail (Qiurou)!