Monday, July 1, 2013

We Have Our Girl!

Over 6 years ago, we were given a camera with pictures of Margaret at the XiaoXian orphanage with her guai guai next to her. Today we brought her guai guai Ding home, tomorrow she is ours forever.


We arrived early to the Civil Affairs office and were lead to a room on the 4th floor. The Orphanage Director and Deputy Director Wang were waiting for us with Ding. We have no pictures or video of the moment we met because we weren't expecting them to be there!

Pictures from the Civil Affairs office:

Ding with Deputy Director Wang
Sisters! Ding Dang and Mao Mao

Registration Photo for our Adoption Certificate tomorrow.


She is a little peanut of a thing, exactly the same size as Margaret even though she's 15 months older. She was really quiet at first, but blossomed over lunch at the Noodle Restaurant. If you were following our trip to Margaret 6 years ago, you'll remember that those noodles are magical. The noodle bowls were huge and she finished it! She ate more than her baba - I was impressed! (and also a little worried that she was going to be sick) She ate the first half of her noodles with her chopsticks, but switched to a fork to be like Margaret. She rambles on to us and tells us things in Chinese and I just look at her and say "I have no idea what you are saying sweet pea!" And she'll just keep talking and I heard her say "mama bu shuo zhong wen" (mama doesn't speak Chinese). Mama speaks enough Chinese to understand that - so there!



 Having Margaret here has really helped with her transition. She taught Ding how to play Temple Run on the tablet and we are already limiting screen time for both of them. They watched Chinese soap operas together, played Twister and Legos, played with hair clips and looked over Ding's English workbook. She knows "thank you", "WC", "you're welcome" and "banana". Now that she has been playing Temple Run with Margaret, she knows the word JUMP!! She willingly shares her things with Margaret and Margaret can't figure out why. I told her Ding's being a good sister to her, now take the toy and say xie xie!
TWISTER!! Fun in any language!
We ordered dinner from room service and found a nice grocery store behind the hotel. Ding had a bath and I was told she would need help shampooing her hair. I'm not sure what she's used to, but this mama does NOT have the magic. She got upset and cried a little bit when she got a bit of water on her face. I rubbed her back and told her she was doing a good job and when I toweled her off I kissed her on the head. She looked up at me like she was surprised.
Ding, you are a wonderful, sweet and beautiful girl. We are going to work hard so that you will never be surprised by affection again.

We put the girls to bed at 8:30. Gave them both hugs and kisses and told them wo ai ni. It's been a good day. She is so brave. They both are.

19 comments:

Randi said...

Aw, so sweet! That was one HUGE bowl of noodles, wow! Congratulations on the beautiful new addition to your family.

pvbeach said...

Congratulations! You have two beautiful girls!

Michelle and Stefan said...

Congratulations! So happy to see you all together. I can't wait to watch your journey, as it unfolds over the next days and months. Michelle and Stefan

Michelle and Stefan said...

oh....and reliving the memories of the Civil Affairs office and the Holiday Inn.....puts me back there, a short 2 months ago!

Joy K said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE all the pics & hearing how your two girls are learning to be sisters already! Lots of love & prayers to you my friend!!! :) -Joy

Mom said...

Beautiful! Just what I was hoping to see!

Unknown said...

I LOVE that big bowl of noodles!! You must share details of this magical noodle place, we may just need it.

Over joyed at the smiles and sweet surprises!!

~aj~ said...

Such a beautiful bond they have! So happy for your family!

Amy said...

Love seeing a smile on her face. Precious sisters!

Billie Jo said...

Love, love, love seeing this. So happy for all of you. Glad the girls are together again. :-)

Unknown said...

Awesome! Can't wait to follow the rest of your journey! Wish we were there toi!

Almond Tea said...

Congratulations!

Unknown said...

I have only followed your story through Jade when she post something on FB but I am totally in love with your story! And I think it is so amazing that you loved this one sweet child so much that you went back and adopted her best friend to give her the most special big sister that any one could ever have! These two little girls are treasured by you their parents to chosen to be raised in a home that believes in love,friendship and never leaving anyone behind!

Unknown said...

I really think that having each other is going to be very helpful in the whole transition process, I know for us, thought George was only 12 months old, and Maya was 26 - their companionship and relationship blossomed in ways that made Maya's transition into our lives easy - easier. She learned to trust us quickly, despite prior trauma, because she saw our relationship with George and how he responded to us.

We are so excited for you guys and are relieved, happy, and thankful that you are bringing your girl home, at last! Much love to all of you! Save travels =)

Love,

The Ruesch Family!!!

Cherylchina said...

I bet that bed felt like sleeping on a cloud. I am so glad you were able to bring her into your family! We have you in our hearts and I wonder what they told her to prepare her for adoption!

Bonnie, Jim, Ainsley and Sofie said...

Love it!!!!!!!

Britni said...

Love this! Congrats to all of you!

SBDavin said...

This must be just wonderful for both Maggie and Ella (besides being awesome for you two as well). Thankfully, children pick up another language must faster than adults - Ella will learn fast. What an unforgettable time!

gracie1513 said...

Thanks, Mary, for sharing your family's experience with us. I feel like we're right there living it with you!

Poor Ella... It breaks my heart that at her 'ripe old age' she doesn't know how to react to affection. I imagine the love, warmth, and confidence you, Bryan, and Maggie are instilling in her there. That poor girl won't know what hit her when she gets back to SSP and meets the rest of her family!! She may pull away from kisses just because she's sick of them!! ;) (FAT CHANCE!!)

My thought and HOPE for what was whispered to Ella prior to her adoption: "Young lady, you have a family waiting to take you home and love you - UNCONDITIONALLY - for the rest of your life. They have picked you out of many, jumped through all the hoops needed, and traveled many miles to make you a part of their lives, their family, their home, and their hearts. You are a lucky, LUCKY girl. Love them. They already love you." - at least I can hope that's what they said...

I wish all 4 of you all the happiness in the world. <3