Adoption Day

Today we went back to the Civil Affairs office where we met with the orphanage director and her assistant to confirm that we were happy with our daughter and wanted to make the adoption official.





In the taxi on the way there

















Waiting for the proceedings to start






There was A LOT of paperwork, with the notary documenting everything and some more questions for us. After the money was exchanged, we signed about a dozen papers and put our finger prints on everything. Maggie put her hand print on the final paper and then we had officially adopted our wonderful little girl.






Daddy signs












Mommy signs










Notary and Orphanage Director sign












Maggie signs







We weren't sure how she would react when she saw the people from the orphanage, but, much to our surprise, she became terrified we were going to give her back. She reluctantly let one of them hold her for a little bit but then would break into tears and start to say things in a very sad voice when they approached her. She clung to me and tried not to make much eye contact with them. The people from the orphanage understood and seemed very happy that she bonded with us so quickly (last night when I put her to bed I reminded her I was "Mama" and she looked at me and smiled). Hugs and appreciation were exchanged between us and the orphanage staff and they invited us to come see the orphanage and meet her foster family in the future. They are planning a party for adoptive families within the next couple of years and encouraged us to come.

After our trip to civil affairs we went to buy some formula and clothing for the orphanage director to take back with her. Then we spent the rest of the day having a relaxing time around the hotel--lunch, a LONG nap, some shopping (boy does she LOVE her new shoes!!), and some leftovers and play time back in our room (she loves to organize her new blocks).














Proud Big Bro



















Maggie had a little trouble settling down tonight after all the excitement and an Oreo for dessert. She kept trying to get our attention from her crib by smiling and showing us her belly (her cue that she wants us to tickle her). We are seeing some really good signs that she is settling in: asking us to help her, showing us things, and engaging us in play (with lots of laughter). Wow....we couldn't in our wildest dreams expected things to be going this smoothly at this point.

Tomorrow we are going on an outing to the park with our guide. Now I will join the three heavy breathers behind me (after a few more looks at my precious family).