More pics from our first day together

First non crying expression-pointing to bubbles

She loved the flags outside our hotel

The orphanage sent this little Gymboree jacket with her

Pointing at everything-this was in front of our hotel

Bubbles out side of the Registration office

 

What our waiter told us to get her-congee. She wouldn't even take one bite

The orphanage sent this cup with her. She knows how to use it

Forget congee-how bout a French fry from McDs instead

Brushing baby's hair

I'll Be Wrapped Around Your Finger-GOTCHA DAY!

Talk about a whirlwind! We left for the Registration office around 9:40. As we pulled up, Steve saw her in the window but he didn't say anything bc he didn't want me to freak out. We weren't thinking any babies would be there yet. I thought that was her in the window but I didn't say anything in case I was wrong. Before we even made it in the door they were calling her name. We were the first ones to get our baby. I walked in first and Steve wasn't even in the building yet. She was already hysterical. I had no idea what to do so I reached in our bag to get her something to eat. I was shaking so hard I couldn't even open the container. She wanted no part of it or me. I was looking around just praying that other parents were taking pictures for me. Eventually I took her from the lady and walked outside with her. She never really calmed down but Steve finally came out there and started blowing bubbles. She kind of liked that or at least wasn't hysterical anymore. Then she fell asleep. By the time we walked back into the building everyone else had already received their babies. I didn't cry till I walked in and saw everybody else with their babies. I guess I was in shock just like she was. Some babies were crying and some were actually smiling. One couple in our group received two babies or should I say two toddlers. BTW I'm able to blog now bc Steve is giving her a bath. We took her outside because she was looking out the window and pointing. So then we went to eat and she had bread sticks and french fries. She was getting restless so I left the table to go back up to our room and she became hysterical again. UNTIL... Steve walked in and then she ran to him for him to pick her up. RUKM?? If you don't speak Dugard, that means, are you kidding me?!? "They" tell you not to bath them right away but her information sheet said she loved a bath. OMGoodness. Steve just dressed her and she is so stinking cute and little! Sorry, I'm talking in random order bc I'm just typing as thoughts come to me. Her information sheet said she loves "to listen to music and dance. We think she has dance talent." Maybe we will go on the road together one day! Anyway, we have a meeting in 10 minutes so I guess Ill be the one who goes. I'm glad for Steve, bc I will have plenty of bonding time when we get home while he's at work.

She was curious about what I was doing- my hands were shaking so badly I had a 

hard time opening the can

 

She wanted no part of it

Cried until she fell asleep

I'm so thankful to God for great support system here

She has my eyes don't you think?!?

Followed him now waiting for him outside the bathroom door

Everything is new. She's pointing at flags

The big day + a little of yesterday

My wifi was in and out so I couldn't blog last night. I actually got a full nights sleep and thank You Lord for that blessing especially bc of what we are about to do. We had a teary good bye yesterday with Cecilia and Alice. I'm just praying I'm not a blubbering idiot this morning bc I don't want to scare her to death. I guess my one prayer requestis that our initial meeting isn't too traumatic for her so we can at least get her out of the building without a kicking and screaming fit. Not that a catatonic state is any more comforting... I am prayerfully burdened and heartbroken for her and these next few weeks of major transition. I'm sure I'm taking this verse out of context but it's what kept running through my mind as I prayed for her yesterday from psalm 30- o Lord I cried to you for help...weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing (and joy) comes in the morning. Now I'm singing the song in my head!!! Our group is amazing. I love how God orchestrated every tiny detail so perfectly. Not that I'm surprised by that, but that's how He gets all the credit bc none of this could we have done on our own! We meet in one hour to go to the registrars office. I'm unusually calm however my hands are shaking as I type! Thank you again for all the prayers and support. I can not believe we are here and this is really happening. Here are a few pics from yesterday and the infamous trip to Walmart. BTW the pollution is even worse her in Zhengzhou than it was in Beijing. It reminds me of all the pics of NYC weeks after 9-11. I'm not kidding. I believe my lungs are full of dirt and will need some serious respiratory treatments when I get back home!

This is at an intersection we had to walk across

Burger King

Deli section at Walmart

This weeks sale paper

Chicken-at least it's something you can recognize

Walmart greeter asking for our cash receipt-just like dad

3 story Walmart

Chips ahoy-tastes just like at home

A Day of Greats

So we had an easy start today, especially from being up a good part of the night. Don't get me wrong, we are getting some sleep it's just from 8 PM-2 AM. It just makes for a long day. The best part of my day was meeting Josh and Lily, the founders of our agency CCAI. They live in the states and were here holding a training session and meeting with other orphanages to want to partner with their agency and also their teenage daughter was doing some work as well. They have an amazing testimony-both Christians and started the agency out of their basement in California in 1992 (he was going to seminary there). Isn't that amazing?!?! In 2011,it was ranked the #1 adopted agency by the Chinese government. And I truly believe that! They believe this is their calling from God and want to help as many orphans as possible find families. The agency has been amazing and it was a huge surprise and honor to meet Josh and Lily! We ventured to the Great Wall today! Steve was determined to make it to the top to the 13th tower. And of course he made it! I went a little more than half way. I know I'm overweight however I'm in pretty good shape and it was rough. Another mom and I stood and waited while Steve, her husband, and her 8 year old daughter went all the way up.  The crazy thing is, there were people my parents age and probably older who kept going after we stopped, some of whom were wearing business suits. Regardless we both got the same metal(we had to buy them of course) to go with our small collection of running medals. So people have been very interested in our group, especially the kids with us. So when a man asked me at the Great Wall for a pic, I said sure happily and went over to pose with his parents. No, no he said. I want picture of my parents, not you! He simply wanted me to move so he could take a pic of the place I was standing. Oh well! Anyway, after we left there, we went to eat lunch at a restaraunt/souvenir shop. Lunch was delicious and I was able to make a few purchases. We actually bought another carry-on bag for our souvenirs (I wasn't going to share that) but we aren't even half way through the trip yet. We also drove by the area where the 2008 Olympics were held. We had plans to see a famous acrobatic show tonight but it was sold out. We ended up at a restaraunt near the hotel. Had a huge and yummy meal and two bottles of H20 for $7.50. Crazy! Steve has had lots of little girls smiling at him, saying 
"hello" to him, so he seems to think our little girl is going to be just as fascinated with him! We shall 

see. Our day will start at 5 AM tomorrow - which is Sunday here. Our plane leaves at 9 and we are flying to her province-Henan.   Yay! Only one more day. I feel sure I'm leaving things out. I really should wait to write when I wake up at 2 AM instead of now when I can't keep my eyes open. Thank you to everyone for the prayers and sweet notes! We definitely are feeling them! 

Today's breakfast included tiramisu. Yum

Cecilia, Lily, Josh, and Alice

So couples bring a lock and place it on the wall to symbolize love and commitment. Steve remembered he had a luggage lock in his bag so we placed it on the wall. I took pics so we would know where to find it again when we come back one day.

From the bottom

Funny translations

My view from where I stopped

Still a long way to go

Steve's view from where he stopped

He wore his medal all day. Are you kidding me?!?

This food was for our table of 8

They don't like #4 bc it's pronunciation sounds too much like the word death

Birds nest. The Olympic stadium