We said "I do"

ZhuZhu (juju - her nickname - this is what we call her now) woke up this morning with tears in her eyes and quiet sobbing after she saw mama. Baba was another story. She did go to him, but the tears continued. We managed to get ready for breakfast and headed down. She was much better once we got moving.

We met Mary in the lobby at 9 am and went back to the hotel where we received ZhuZhu to file the paperwork. On the way to the hotel, Mary said that we would be asked several questions. Answer "yes" to all of them - it is like getting married, she told us.

We were taken to the same waiting room as yesterday. ZhuZhu started playing a little. Here she is back in the caterpillar I had mentioned from yesterday. A little bit more happy here.


Here she is on a rocking horse.


We went into a room where the provincial registrar was and said our "I do's". Then the registrar told us that she was officially our child! We are now a family of five! The registrar did give us the opportunity to back out, but I think the tears of joy were the answer to that question.

Next, we were on our way to the notary's office. This was just officially recording the adoption and preparing the paperwork for the birth certificate and other papers (I think). Just a quick note, not only do you sign the paperwork, you also must leave an ink print of your right thumb. And it is red, but the ink comes off easily. ZhuZhu had to leave her foot print. It was bigger than the space allowed. What do they do for the older children?

Paperwork completed, we headed to Wal-Mart. This time, the official Wal-Mart! We wanted to get books and cd's for ZhuZhu in Chinese and pinyin. We also purchased another piece of luggage that ZhuZhu will have for her checked bag. ZhuZhu was initially riding in the cart but when it became too full, she wanted out and started putting things in the cart where she had been riding. Mary thought this was very funny and said "She is very smart". I'm sure ZhuZhu felt like a queen because most anything she picked up went into the cart. As a side note, earlier in the van as we passed the nicest shopping center in Nanning, Mary told us that ZhuZhu had told her nannies "My American mother will take me there and let me buy anything I want". Like a dream come true, I suppose, but they do not take Visa.

Back at the hotel, we set up our times for tomorrow and then went to the hotel restaurant for lunch. ZhuZhu ordered noodles with chicken and they brought it to her with chopsticks and one of those Chinese soup spoons. ZhuZhu picked up those chopsticks and started transferring food from her bowl to her plate to allow it to cool. It was amazing! Then, she started using the spoon like a shovel and put food into her mouth. She would also use the chopsticks.

When we were about finished eating, Vince had written "I love you" and "Lara" on a piece of paper from the table. ZhuZhu picked up the pencil, and was scribbling. Look below for her "scribbling" (Vince's is on the bottom, if you were unsure). Can you believe it???? Do you see how she started with the LAR for Lara and then crossed "LARA" out? Do you think she is trying to tell us something? I have no idea what the other symbols on the paper stand for but she was telling Vince something over and over, so it must be significant. We will ask Mary tomorrow for the translation.She was so tired, she crashed shortly after lunch. What a real beauty! She is so precious and we are truly blessed to have this child of God in our hands.

Upon waking, we had tears again. I believe she thinks this is just a dream and that one time when she wakes up, she will not see us. Au contraire. We convinced her that swimming would be a great thing to do. That went fine. The pool is huge, outdoor and about 94 degrees. Many people use it. I could not tell if she had ever been swimming before. Vince thought she had. We had more tears shortly after returning to the room. I believe she is just overwhelmed with such grief for her foster family. She will purse her little lips and the tears will start flowing. It truly breaks your heart.

After things calmed down, we headed for dinner. This was the first time she did not allow baba to feed her. Only mama could feed her. This is huge! She has been a baba's girl and mama has been the "go fetch" person until now. She did want some of baba's pork chop but would not allow him to give it to her. Finally, after he offered it to her and she pointed to mama, he plopped the piece of meat in his mouth. Next time she took the bait. While we were waiting for the bill and conversing with the family at the next table, ZhuZhu wanted to sit on mama's lap. We are making progress! However, we still had tears before bed tonight. We were able to talk to the boys tonight. They said "Ni hao" to ZhuZhu. She was so tired, I don't think she understood the connection. Soon they will meet their sister and fall in love with her, just as we have.

Just a few notes on her general attitude: if we keep her busy, she is smiling and happy, chattering in the cutest little voice. When we get too loud, she says "SHH" and puts her index finger to her mouth. She loves to color but does not understand that coloring is not for every book. She has been eating well, but takes her time. She has the cutest way of brushing her teeth: she swooshes the water around in her mouth and then spits it out like a fountain. Her hair has never been cut (that I can tell). She loves her baba and will go anywhere with him. She wants to be held by him. She must press the elevator up or down button and then presses the correct number once we're inside (usually without being told). Her eyes are still full of sadness. People tell us how beautiful she is - everywhere! (I am a bit partial).

I must tell you, every time I look at her, I almost cry. We are truly thankful to the Lord above for her life and the blessing to us as a family. We thank you for your continued prayer and support.

Every good and perfect thing is a gift from God above.
James 11: