Introducing...

Sasha Jade ChunTian

"Tian Tian"

Yesterday was a blur of emotions. Our agency guide took us to the Civil Affairs office at 3:15 pm. Civil Affairs was in a very crowded and hot old hotel. We rode up the elevator and I kept thinking "Wait I didn't even have time to get my epidural." We were all very nervous and worried about Tian Tian's adjustment. We walked into the hallway and we heard many children and babies crying, this again reminded me of the nursery in the hospital. Then around the corner in walks a little doll wearing bright pink and pony tails! She recognized us right away and said  "MaMa JieJie GeGe" and let us pick her up! Jakey and Ava were a huge hit! She was delighted to see them! After a few shocked moments came many tears that broke our hearts to watch. She was very attached to foster family and cried for them. In between crying she stopped to laugh and play with Jake and Ava. We were surprised about how much she laughs and how much she talks! She screams in delight when she sees the kids. Bringing them on this trip was the best plan, I can't imagine going through this process without them to share it all with. We drove back to the hotel and the balloons waiting in our hotel room were a huge hit! So was the beach ball. We opened the backpacks that the AiYi's from Tian Tian's SWI gave to us and put all her photo books and her clothes on her bed with her, creating a "space" for her. She loved it. She laughed and laughed and laughed, but some of the laughter then turned into tears. A little later we found out she knows how to use a western toilet! Hurray! We went to eat in the hotel but Tian Tian only had a few bites of food. We are dealing with some behavioral issues such as hitting. We already have a system in place- if she tries to hit one of us I say "bu da!" (don't hit) and the kids immediately turn around and walk out of the room, so she is left without anyone to play with. The only problem is that when we are out people think we are praying to Buddha! This is working really well, we already see a change in one day. Tian Tian does everything herself; she tells us exactly what she wants, and we understand her. She's a strong-willed little girl! She is also very sweet and so affectionate. She's appropriately apprehensive towards strangers, but quick to warm up when she senses it is safe. She has not been afraid of us or shy for even a minute. Last night after dinner she let us give her a shower, and laughed and laughed and laughed her big belly laugh the whole time. Jake and Ava were on the floor laughing too. She went to bed next to me and slept like a rock all night. This morning she didn't seem confused or sad when she woke up like I expected, as soon as she opened her eyes she smiled at me and looked around for GeGe and JieJie. We went to the next room to wake them both up and they had so much fun. 

We went to breakfast in the hotel at the buffet and saw some other adoptive families, I had met both families online before the trip. 

This morning we went back to the Civil Affairs office to complete the adoption paperwork and for an interview. 

Tian Tian had her footprint taken.

We spoke to the AiYi's from Tian Tian's SWI and asked a few questions about her. They gave us some gifts and a few of Tian Tian's favorite toys, and a photo album. Tian Tian hasn't asked for her foster family since yesterday when we first met her, and I find this to be unusual and a bit disturbing. I know she was very attached to her foster family and she will grieve for certain. Tian Tian is smaller and shorter than we expected and wears a size 3T. A couple of times she put her backpack on and told us to take her to school, then went to get another backpack to give JieJie and she said " let's go JieJie"! She loves school!

We had lunch near our hotel, Tian Tian was exhausted.

Tian Tian's taking a nap now.

More updates later...

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