Forever Family Day - it's official! (And she SMILES!)

Today was "Forever Family Day" - the day the adoption became official. Amelia awoke early, so we headed out for breakfast. She panicked when she saw we were leaving the room. Any transition seems hard for her. Once we are out, she is fine. Once we are in, she is fine. Going and coming, though, seem to distress her. I think after her whole world was turned upside down just a day ago, she doesn't know what to expect.

She screamed all the way to breakfast, but once she got there, she was fine and ate her weight in noodles. She is really funny. She will allow me to feed her a few bites at first and then she decides to take over, and won't permit me to help. Mealtimes are thus very lengthy, especially considering that she has this quirky thing about having to wipe down the table, her hands, her chin, her fork or chopsticks, etc., about every 3 bites.

After breakfast, we went to the room and played awhile. Sara was a hit when she turned the empty toilet tissue roll into a flying rocket or a rolling game. Amelia almost smiled. She said her first English word - "Yay!" - when her tissue wrapper made it all the way to Sara. Then, we got the bubbles out. They were a hit! She laughed when she popped them. She also called me "Mama" twice today. It was very clear and very distinctly meant for me! THAT'S PROGRESS!!!!

We have also had some periods of sadness today, but they have been brief, and she has allowed herself to be comforted. She still won't let Papa hold her, but when he was missing for a few minutes, Sara and I swear she said "Papa?". She is VERY smart. She picks up things so quickly. Her ability to communicate is phenomenal. She told me tonight (by pointed and taking my hand) that she didn't like her feet on her feety pajamas, and she wanted to wear her pajamas from yesterday without feet. Now that is smart! She is only barely 2!

As I have mentioned, she is crazy-fastidious. She stops every 3 bites to wipe up the space around her plate, her hands, etc. She keeps telling me "ta ta" - "clean it, clean it". Boy, is she in for a rude awakening. I told the Lord I wanted more self-discipline in the area of housekeeping - a 2 year old with OCD isn't what I had in mind. HAHA. She is FUNNY! We just crack up watching her clean everything in sight. Oh, and she is an organizer at heart. She loves to watch Sara pack and repack the suitcases. Today, when we were separating money into envelopes, she was practically giddy with excitement. She took them over to Dad and was "helping" him do all the sorting. She also sorted all the silverware at breakfast - forks in one pile, spoons in another, knives, and so forth. She isn't too interested in her doll, but she loves her books and she loves paper.

I was worried about taking her to the same building where we did the handover yesterday to do the adoption paperwork today, but she did beautifully. She is very interested in all manner of paperwork. If something official is happening and papers are being shuffled, Amelia Chun wants to be in the middle of it.

We received her Chinese passport today and completed the adoption. Now, we wait for the finalized paperwork to be put in a red book and given to us. Once that happens, we have all the papers we need to head to Guangzhou and have Amelia's U.S. immigration paperwork completed.

After being chastised several times by the Chinese grandmas - a.k.a. the "clothing police" - for not having Amelia dressed warmly enough for Chinese standards, I headed out to the market this afternoon for some important purchases: new undies, since she is potty trained and looks at me with disdain if I even dare suggest a diaper; a stroller, since she doesn't like to hold hands or be carried, and I am not about to let her wander the streets independently, though she thinks she is perfectly capable; and YES, a coat. This lady pictured here stopped Sara and I and engaged us in a lengthy game of charades that we only hours later figured out what she was trying to tell us: (to me) hold the baby, don't put her in stroller and (to Sara) watch out for your earrings and don't let them choke the baby.

Sara and I walked the streets of Chengdu for probably 3 hours yesterday, just taking in the sights and sounds and smells of China. I think she might love it here almost as much as I do. Everywhere we went, people would see me and the baby, and put two and two together, and then offer a big "thumbs up" or "ok" sign. The people here are so dignified and kind and lovely. They seem genuinely happy for Amelia to be adopted. After a trip back to the hotel to collect Grandpapa (who had run out of reading material and needed to head in a different direction to find an English bookstore), the three of us plus Amelia Chun, headed out sans our China guide to find some famous Sichuan "hot pot."

We happened on a small, family owned hot pot restaurant, and lo and behold, the proprietor spoke perfect English! She helped us order a lovely meal, and even brought Amelia some black rice porride - something I would never have known to ask for, but that Amelia seemed to enjoy. The best part is that the lady talked to Amelia in Chinese, and Amelia responded, but when the lady tried to pick her up, Amelia ran to me and said "Mama!" and pointed at her stroller. She want in there, where nobody was going to get her. Again, I think that's progress.

We still had tears at bedtime, and she still says something over and over when she is sad that we can't figure out. That is the hardest part of the day, when she is so terribly sad, and I know it, but I can't make it better. I hold her and rock her and kiss her and pray to God in Heaven to heal her little heart. Those are the moments when I feel like the worst mother in the world - my baby is hurt, and I can't do anything for her. Please continue to pray. Amelia is doing VERY well, all things considered. This is only Day 2. Still, we really do appreciate your loving prayers for our tiny girl.

Amy, Mike & Sara