A Month Ago Today...

Ellie and I went to the Civil Affairs/Adoption Offices in Nanchang. The other seven families in our group of nine were getting their babies and more paperwork was to be signed. We saw Ellie's nanny and the director of the orphanage again. The Director felt Ellie's calf (Ellie was in the Er.go holder which is VERY difficult to put on by oneself, BTW). She looked disapprovingly at us and probably told our guide I didn't dress Ellie warmly enough! Then I went into a little room where I was asked several questions: Was I satisfied with Ellie? What was my job? Why did I want to adopt her? What were my plans for her education? Did I promise not to abandon her? It was very short and perfunctory. Then we got this picture taken. I think it's a very cute one of us! You can see it better if you click on it. =)
Ellie had been mine since she was placed in my arms the afternoon before (Sunday) and I signed agreeing to take her forever. But that Monday and Ellie and I were officially a family according to Jiangxi, China!

She is blossoming every day. Hasn't walked yet but is standing for really long periods of time. Ultrasound for kidney stones (melamine scare) was normal and so far except for the bloodwork which was botched (it clotted?) after blowing both arm veins and has to be redone (I know!!) her health and development appear good. She loves tumbling around, talks and sings, imitates and very much enjoys macaroni and cheese! Not only that but does she ever wear it (the cheese) well! She is so happy and observant. Wants to get into EVERYTHING! Prefers toys that are not plastic and bright to those resembling a computer, printer, cell phone, etc. Her cousin, K., is so good with her and is excited about attending the local Chinese New Year festivities with her cousin in a matching outfit!
I am loving "stalking" those families in China now (see right hand column to follow along) even more now that I've been through the process. I wish I had been able to do more but we were quarantined the last few days in Guangzhou due to one of the girls in our group having been diagnosed with chicken pox. There was a possibility that we would have to stay 10-15 days longer, quarantined in the hotel! After living in a hotel for almost two weeks (and having stomach problems the last week), news of staying longer -even at a hotel as grand as the one we were at- was not enticing! The little girl with the chicken pox and her family are now home and doing well. She had obviously caught it at the orphanage and the other little girl from the same orphanage has shown no signs of it. We were in contact with the US authorities and CDC and they were very accommodating. The girls were inoculated and 24 hours later showed no signs so we had 24 hours to leave the country. The gentleman from the consulate even came out to meet us after our final physical as we were sitting on the bus praying we would be able to leave that Christmas afternoon. He was our Santa that day, handing us our brown envelopes to get back home! Thus, we have no official red couch photo of the girls in their cute Chinese outfits. Amazing how each person's trip to China is soooo different?! =)
Anyway, hang in there, all of you still waiting. I haven't forgotten the wait and how hard it was, now I'm just too busy to think about anything but my daughter and when do I get my next nap! You'll get there, too. =)

Also, thank you all for the sweet comments about Ellie's photos. I will post a few more in a few days just 'cause she's absolutely adorable!

UPDATE Didn't I say she wears the cheese well? Seems Matthew had some time on his hands and is a bit concerned about the amount of mac'n'cheese Ellie is consuming. =)
Really I DO feed her other things... Can I put barrettes in this new 'do????

UPDATE 2 Rumor has it that there will be 23...yes, 23 days worth of referrals next. Dare we believe?! The guide in China said he thought things would pick up, but my goodness! Bring 'em on! =)