Sweet Lily was a champ on Gotcha Day! I can't even imagine being that young and being taken away from everything and everyone you've ever known. Yes, there have been some tears but VERY few considering some of the stories we've heard from other people.
Today started with a morning bottle and lots of cuddles with Mommy and Daddy. We then tried a bath (insert some tears and screams here) and settled on a quick sponge bath. Our guide explained to us that in the orphanage they bathe the little ones in a sink so who knows what she thought about the tub! Later this morning it will be a sponge bath by the sink.
Waking up and snuggling
A morning bottle
After getting dressed, we headed down to the breakfast buffet. Lily loves to people watch. She had some cheerios, some oatmeal with honey and some banana nut bread. She thought all that was pretty good stuff!
We met our guide in the lobby at 9:00 and then we had about a 30 minute ride to get a family picture for the official adoption paperwork. Nothing fancy, no fancy photographer. Just a small camera shop where we went in a back room, sat on a little bench as a family and a man took our picture. He uploaded it and printed it out. We were then off to the Shanghai City Bureau of Social Welfare Affairs office. This is where we completed the adoption registration. Last stop for the day was the notary to get all the paperwork from the last two days notarized.
Lily Grace Wilson is now officially ours and we are her parents. Happy, happy day!
We came back to the hotel, napped a little and later went to the concierge lounge - another reason I love being Marriott elite! A glass of wine for the new mommy and cantaloupe for Lily! It was here that we got our first laughs and smiles and we were just beyond excited. As a stranger mentioned to us as he left the table where we were sitting: "Congratulations to all of you. You all are just beaming."
First smiles and giggles
Then at night, I woke up and this was my view. My world right in front of me!
What a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you in words how beautiful this story book is. I couldn't be happier for all three of you. I cry every time I see a picture or hear something she's done. The laughing picture of Mary and Lily really makes my heart smile. I can't wait to see y'all together as a family. Love y'all so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mitzi! She makes our hearts smile too!!
DeleteOh my goodness! Priceless pictures of those first smiles and giggles. Love, love, love.
ReplyDeleteI am just catching up on each blog entry and have tears!! I am so happy for you guys!! She is beautiful, as are your faces with her :)))
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