GOTCHA DAY!!!!

We have the most adorable, precious daughter in the world!  

We went to the civil affairs office around 4 p.m. and walked in to see Katie waiting for us.  Her caregiver immediately waved us over and told her we were mama and baba.  We were able to ask questions about her, and we received a package of keepsakes (including a picture CD, footprints/handprints, and other items) from Starfish that we will always treasure.  Katie played with us and with the toys we had brought for her.  

When the time came for her caregiver to leave, she cried for quite a while.  There was a lot of paperwork to fill out and sign, so Travis took care of that while I walked the halls with her trying to calm her down.  It saddened me to see her so upset and I hurt for her knowing that she was scared.  Our guide also helped and would speak to her in Mandarin to calm her.  After Travis finished the paperwork, I had to sign everything as well.  He took her out into the hall and she settled right down.  She has definitely decided that she likes baba, but she's not so sure about me yet.

Trevor was such a big helper while we were there.  He would try to play with her and give her snacks or drink.  He also helped carry things to the van when we were done.  He keeps saying how cute she is, and we agree with him.  

After leaving the civil affairs office we went to have her photo taken for all her documents.  She had completely settled down by this time and seemed to like the ride in the van.  She sat in baba's lap on the way, which was weird for us since our kids always have to be in car seats in the US.  After the pictures, we came back to the hotel, and our guide helped us get our paperwork ready for tomorrow.  

Celine, our guide, walked with us to a local restaurant and helped us order dinner since no one spoke English there.  It was raining outside and Katie loved being carried and helping baba hold the umbrella.  She sat in my lap at dinner and I ordered a sprite.  When the waiter brought it to the table, she began to get excited and point.  So, I gave my two year old sprite the first day we have her.  She ate really well; she liked the corn and rice but would take the meat out of her mouth and tell baba to take it.  

We were able to skype with Ryan, Spencer, Gimi, and Pawpaw.  She already knew the boy's names from their pictures and would point and call them by name on the screen.  It was adorable!  They loved it.  

She wanted to change into her pink pajamas when we showed them to her.  She likes to comb her hair, and take her hairbows out and try to put them back in.  She is quite the stinker and giggles if you tell her no.  She is drawing on a notepad right now, and tried to write on the bed.    

Travis and I are actually a little worried that she is doing so well.  I guess I'll live in the moment and enjoy the happiness and try not to worry.  Tomorrow may be a different story as she realizes she will not be going back to Starfish.  I'm sure she will grieve more, but I have prayed God would prepare her heart and know that He is at work in the situation.  We couldn't be happier with the precious little girl that He made just for us!  We are so in love!