{Journey to Ailee James: It's Official!}

Yesterday was a hard day.  "Gotcha Day" is really kinda horrific if you think about it...especially from the adopted child side.  Essentially it's kidnapping.  Between less than stellar internet connection & a crazy busy schedule {and pretty bad jet lag!} I've just not gotten to blog as I had hoped.  Good thing I can always go back and add...so that will be soon to come.  Plus, just looking at photos from yesterday's "gotcha" are pretty hard to stomach so I'm focusing on today and the massive strides we've made in bonding.

Today we went to the Civil Affairs office here in Tianjin to finalize the adoption paperwork after our 24 hour harmonious period.  Basically, if we wanted to give her back today then we could or we could say "ABSOLUTELY NOT".  We chose the latter.

Mei-Mei is surprising us all the time.  She loved her bath last night and even let me blow dry her hair.  She then was quite content playing in front of the mirror and dancing a bit.  She went right into the crib with zero cry whatsoever {I was told her orphanage nannies really teach them this & they were right!}.  She slept from 9pm until 5am this morning when she heard me on the phone with her daddy. I rushed to console her and she was fast asleep in my arms just minutes later!

We've learned she is quite smart & speaks in complete sentences in Mandarin, of course!  As I was filling out the adoption paperwork, she said "Mama writing words!".  We were stunned!  She's said "Guh-Guh" at breakfast when Wyatt went to get an omelet...which means brother.  She also said "Dogs all gone" after we saw three dogs on the road and passed by them.  She's extremely curious and exploring nonstop!  She sucks her finger and eats anything you put in front of her but was especially happy to see noodles for breakfast.  Guess I'll have to get to work on that!

After Civil Affairs, we went to apply for her Chinese passport...which we need to get her visa to come to America.  In just a bit we will head to the notary for the last stop of the day.

So thankful we get to love this girl!  She's such JOY!