It's Official

She's ours! Today we received Ava Jinjue's Official Adoption Certificate!

Today we left our hotel around 8am to fill out some paperwork and complete the adoption. Our first stop was the Jiangxi Province Center of Adoption Services. There we took a family photo, Ava's visa photo. We were also interviewed and asked why we wanted to adopt from China, how we plan on raising her and promised to never abuse or abandon her. There we met the orphanage director. We were a little nervous for Ava to see him again, considering the way she reacted on the first day. Well, she never even wanted to leave my arms. She didn't really acknowledge him at all.

We also stopped by the notary office, and police station. Dave of course made a friend with a female police officer and they stayed talking via our guide for a while. She spoke a little English and has a friend in San Francisco. They exchanged emails.

Then, it was back to the hotel. Ava has a hard time going to sleep. She sobbed for about an hour and a half before falling asleep for her nap. Dave and I also knocked out. That was our first nap here and it was wonderful.

We woke up from our nap and went back to the police station. The Internet was down earlier so we had to complete the process.

When we got back to the hotel, Dave and I walked around for a little bit looking for shoes. I didn't bring Ava a jacket or shoes. We walked over to Tiffanie's (most of the adoptive moms from this province know about her shop) We tried on shoes, but they didn't have any that fit. This girl has a big foot. She was so excited trying them on and shopping, however when we left without anything, she cried! Dave is in trouble!!!!

We let her walk back (I have carried her up until now) She is a clown. She threw her chest and arms back and strutted down the street. She looked like George Jefferson. When we walk into the lobby and she the Christmas tree, she gets so excited and starts talking and talking. It's the only time we get to see a glance of her personality. The ladies from the orphanage said she is very friendly and social, but I think it will still be a while before we see it.

As far as bonding and attaching she seems to be on target. She makes wonderful eye contact and keeps her eye on her when I'm not holding her. Oh, she is not having anything to do with her crib! I just can't see her cry so she is sleeping with me. I think she must have slept in bed with her foster family, although when we asked they didn't know. She rubs my face at night and is stuck to me like glue. She is fine as long as she is in my lap. She is doing better with Dave. He can play with her and touch her and he is the only one getting kisses, but he can't hold her yet.

It's really amazing to see the babies transformation. The two oldest babies are Ava 22mo. and Hope 26mo. They have had the hardest time. Ava is the vocal one, she cries every time I do something new. Even changing her position on my lap. Hope is very independent and was having trouble making eye contact, yet would stay very close to Dwight and Marie. Tonight at dinner Hope was the funniest thing. She is just too cute. She loved her food and was eating with chop sticks. She showed her sweet personality and was interacting, making eye contact and talking with her mommy. The young babies are doing great. They all seem to be adjusting well. My friend Missy's baby is Sophia. Sophia has pneumonia, although by looking at her you would never know. She is just the happiest baby. She does sound terrible. They take her to the hospital two times daily for IV antibiotic treatments. She is doing much better. I went up to the room last night to suction her nose and pound (CPT) her chest to help open up the lungs. She cried with the nose suction, but loved the CPT. It's hilarious how we parents get so excited over pee, poop, and buggers! We pulled the biggest snot out of Sophie's nose and were all so excited and displayed it like real gold!!!! I absolutely love this family. Missy also brought her parents with her and they are just the best people.

Although we are having a wonderful trip and enjoying every minute of it. It does get harder and harder everyday. We are trying to savor our time hear, but in our hearts we just want to go home.

Below are a few pictures from the day. Nine more days until we come home!

Happy Ava!

We hold on tight to eachother!

Jiangxi Center for Adoption Services

Me, Ava, Sophia, and Missy

It's OfficialThe notary office

A quick nap on the bus

The Police Station