Introducing: Miss Alexis

GOTCHA DAY: I knew I better put a picture right at the beginning of the post, because if I hadn't you would skip everything I wrote and go straight to the picture anyway! Not that you will probably read it, but here goes the day:

We started out early catching a flight to Chengdu. After arriving, our guide took us straight to the hotel for us to drop off our bags, gather the money for the orphanage and their gifts and we were off to get our little girl! It was a whirlwind and I am still comprehending she is ours and we are about done with this whole process. It happened so quick at the orphanage (we were only there about 20 minutes) that it took till we were back at the hotel for it all to hit me and the tears came! It is one thing to give birth and look at your new baby and think "Wow, now what do I do?" but totally another to be handed a 1 year old and told "good luck!" and walk away with her staring at you like "what the heck happened and who are you??" Totally weird!

Lexi is bonding pretty well with us so far. There have been few tears - she doesn't like to be put on the floor on her feet to see if she can walk - screams usually follow. We did notice once the smiles came that she has about 5 teeth and more look like they are on their way! She likes her feet being kissed and tickled, "sooo big" is a popular game, and her fave thing to do is flick things with her fingers! She spent quite some time holding a coupon and a postcard and flicking it with her other hand! At least she is self-entertained! Here are a couple more pics:


We do feel very blessed to have received some pictures of her from her orphanage and they actually gave us the note that was left with her that had her birth date and time written on it. Our guide wonders if it was written by her father as it looks like male writing. This is so priceless to me! Our guide saw a copy of the posting of her as an abandoned child and took us to the spot where she was found so we could take pics. I know this is very rare and many parents don't get this opportunity - I feel honored to have it and know Alexis will appreciate it when she gets older.
I am praying our other families that took off this morning are having a successful first day with their new children - Blessings to all of you and see you in a couple days in Guangzhou!!