A New Day

What a difference one day can make. Today, (it's evening there now), was the adoption. When they arrived at the Civil Affairs office they were brought to a reception room with the other 3 families and Katerina burst into activity. There were huge balls, as big as she is -the kind used for exercise - and she and the Ayres daughter were playing and laughing out loud having a blast. We found out later, during the adoption process, that Katerina and the Ayres daughter were in foster care together. They would spend their days at the orphanage and go home with one of the nannies. I understand that this is a practice in many orphanages once the girls are matched. I guess it's like a halfway house to help with the transition. The other 2 girls were not in foster care and seem to be having more difficulty. They are not very responsive with their families or their surroundings and are only quiet if being held. They scream if their parents try to put them on the floor to play. Maybe the foster care helped in developing self-confidence and a sense of well being.

Now that he knows about the foster care, Constantin is connecting a few dots. As they left the room yesterday, after receiving Katerina, he saw a few Chinese women in the lobby. One put her hands over her face and cried loudly when Constantin walked from the room with Katerina. We had seen this same reaction from a foster mother in a documentary that was following a group of adoptees - "The Lost Girls of China", but since he did not know at that time that Katerina was in foster care, he just noted it and thought it was curious. We have the name of the foster mother and will certainly reach out to her. I'm delighted to know that there was someone who especially cared for Katerina and someone to whom Katerina bonded in this way.

The adoption ceremony was great. Katerina in her party dress that was 2 sizes too big. Constantin said she looked like a gypsy. At the ceremony, an official held a clear box where you put your envelopes of money and you received your adoption certificate. The orphanage staff brought out a bag with all the items we had sent over in the care package and they had made an album of pictures they had taken of her. What a treasure. We were also given a lot more information on her routines.

Once back on the bus, Katerina followed Constantin in waving and saying "Bye Bye". Wow, I never thought I'd get so excited about "Bye Bye"!!

Back at the hotel, Constantin and Katerina took a nap while Emma and Joseph went to the 5- story Walmart. They bought a stroller and a soccer ball which Katerina and Joseph played within the room and had lots of fun kicking and throwing it around. Again, she was laughing out loud. Very delighted and pleased with herself. She seems to be adjusting very well to them. She's no longer scared and is much more at ease.

As I spoke to them this evening or morning depending on whether you're in China or USA, she was walking around with a cookie and would come over to Emma to hold the cookie while she took a bite. Then she'd take back the cookie and walk around until she wanted another bite.

She's apparently very possessive about everything she likes and will not give it up. She also doesn't seem to like change, but then gets used to it and doesn't want it to change again. When they put a bib on her to eat, she cried, but when they tried to take it off, she didn't want to give it up. She cried when they got on the bus but then didn't want to get off the bus.

It's so hard for me not to be there. I can't wait to speak to them in the morning to hear how the day was and at night when they're getting up and planning the day. I'm delighted to hear how well she and Joseph are interacting. Yesterday, not too much, but today they've done a lot of playing and laughing.

I have passed on everyone's blog comments and good wishes to Emma, Constantin, and Joseph. They send their love and regards. Ady, Joseph was looking specifically for comments from you. Without having any pictures, I'm really stretching it to find some graphic interest to post! As it has been so hectic, they did not want to trouble the other families who brought laptops, with requests to send out pictures. Now that the adoption is finalized I think everyone can breathe a little and we may have some pictures soon.

Well until the next update .........Bye Bye!