This morning, things were better with L. She still likes to be held constantly, but she let me sit down with her a little. She also let Mr. A hold her, which is a huge relief.
This morning, they told us we had to go fill out “paperwork”. I thought it was more preliminary stuff, and not a big deal. It turns out we finished our “harmonious period,” accepted L as our daughter, and got our final adoption decree.
Thank god, I decided to run back upstairs for the camera and video camera because L’s nannies were there. We met four of them and the director. As soon as we saw them, I handed L over and she was happy. We video taped the whole thing. When they first came in the room, there was no translator for the other families, so Mr. A and I hijacked them and asked them all the questions we could think of and say in Chinese.
Her favorite nanny was not there, but she was clearly loved and very well-cared for by the nannies who were present. We asked them about the food problem and had them prepare a bottle for L. We had one of the ayis feed her and she was very relaxed. Now we know how to do it and we know that she will accept the nipple on the bottle.
Funny things they told us:
- She rubs her eyelashes when she is tired and sleeps with her hands over her eyes. We had seen her do this, but I thought maybe it was a reaction to the stress. Apparently, she always does it.
-She likes to cry. She cries more than any other baby at the orphanage. This was a relief because it means that we didn’t break her in the last day. THey said when she was little, she didn’t cry much, but now she does. Obviously she is a girl who knows how to get her needs met.
-It is easy for L to get fat, because she likes to eat. We haven’t seent this yet, but soon we will stuff her full of as much congee as she can stand.
We got email addresses for the nannies and orphanage and gave them ours. The director gave each of the girls a little gift and we gave him a big ass bottle of whiskey. He seemed pleased.
The nannies were teary when they left. One was especially sad to say goodbye to L. We took many many photos and will send them copies when we get home.
So far, today has been an easier day. L is napping now, so I am off to play with M.
Whew. Glad to hear it and especially glad that you got to hang out with and talk to the nannies. Here’s hoping for a mellow afternoon.
Sounds like things are going well. You are so lucky to find out all of that information on your little L.! So wonderful!
Good to hear things are going well. So great that you were able to spend time with the Nannies and get photos.
Congratulations on the adoption of your new daughter!
May your family have a smooth and joyful time of getting acquainted with one another.
I’m sure you’ve heard this many times now, but I think it’s true, it takes 3 days for your child to get through the initial shock of the change. Keep things as quiet as you can for the next little bit and enjoy both your daughters!
Hooray! Here I was getting all scared and nervous for our “met-ya” day. Good to know that things can get better so quickly! That is awesome that you got to ask so many questions.
I’ve been thinking about you guys all day, I’m so glad today was better.
Once again, I am out of words. But so happy for all of you.
How wonderful that you got all that essential information from the Ayahs about food and sleep and crying! Now you know her so much better. The crying will still be hard but at least you know it is not all you! And you saw first hand the love she knows. Soak up everything in these precious days…
Nice.
I’m jumping in late, but wanted to de-lurk again and say congrats. (Sappy alert) What an amazing year this will be for the four of you, as you get to know one another and love one another! *sniff*
Good to hear things are settling a bit. Every day gets a little easier! But you know that. Glad that you had a chance to talk to the ayis and get some more info for L. Keep the updates coming!
I’m so happy for the regular updates. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
What a relief that she cries and that it’s one of her normal behaviors. You’re very lucky to have had the opportunity to ask the nannies what you wanted. Very clever of you to have them show you what they do.
Thinking of you constantly.
Congratulations! And it is good she cries. It means she knows how to get her needs met and express herself and that she was loved — or she would have stopped crying. So happy for you all.
DS-L
Sounds like a much better day. I am so happy that L. is yours and that you and M got a chnace to re-connect and play afterthe emotions/stress of yesterday.
But, I need ore pictures! Love you all, have a wonderful time in L.’s province and takes more pictures and video then you think you should.
i’m so glad you got a chance to talk to the nannies! sounds like things are going fairly well. it’s great to hear that she was well-loved.
Great great great! I’m so glad you were able to get more information and MORE PICTURES! I’m so happy for future L. who will have those things! And I’m so happy M. was there to bear witness! (I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have Noah hold some of these memories for Madison — it means a lot to both of them.)
Nice update! That’s interesting info from the nannies. And it makes sense. LSP was/is also a crier. Not always a bad thing.
Glad things are getting better and what a blessing to meet her nannies and find out so much about her.
“Harmonious Period” – that is rich irony right there.
My littlest girl rubs her eyelashes when she is going to sleep too. She also sucks her thumb and clutches her blanket–but she always rubs her eyelashes. What luck that you were able to hijack the nannies. Good going! Glad all is going more smoothly today. Let’s hope you can say that every day.
Congrats on the official degree, and that’s so great that you were able to meet with her ayis and get more info.
Congratulations. You all look amazing in the previous post, and L. is cute when she’s crying, even though she looks so so sad. I was particularly overcome by M. hugging L.
I love that you met the nannies and got good background, and maybe you can stay in touch, so that L. can know they still exist even as she starts her new life. I don’t know how much a baby can figure that out, but if she sees photos of them, maybe it will ease the transition.
You are such a lovely family.
That’s so great you were able to meet L’s nannies and get so much info.
You are very lucky to have gotten so much information and to have met all the SWI staff! I’m still sitting here crying over the previous post, but it definitely sounds like you’re on top of everything.
I love that last pic of M and Lon your previous post. M looks a little concerned, and looks like a very attentive and kind older sister.
Thanks for sharing.
i just came to check in because i realized that i was probably missing everything – and i was! i’m so happy for you all and glad to hear things are going better.
Did she react to the frog? (I think I remember that you were sending her pictures of all of you with a frog, and then were going to give her the frog). Or has there been too much else to deal with to think about a stuffed frog?
Congratulations, you are doing better than many (certainly better than we did) for so early on!
I’m so happy that you got to get all that info on L. I’m sure it will help you a lot.
I can’t wait to read more about your adventure.
Oh, I’m so happy the second day was better and that you got to film and photograph all those important moments.
It took me a second read to figure out that Dawn posted under “American Family”
Great that you were able to get ino from the nannies-another example of how confusing it is to sort out the source of behaviors. So happy for all of you! ~lmc
I don’t know what to say except, wow. She’s beautiful, even when she’s crying. And M. blows me away.
Aww. I am just so happy for you, you just don’t know. What a sweetie M is. What loving sweeties you all are–I can see it in your faces. Sending you happy hugs.