The Moment We've All Been Waiting For ...

Wow!!!  I'm the worst Blogger, I know!!  So -- you want photos???

 How cute is she?  I am absolutely, positively, over the moon, in LOVE!!!  She's tiny, but tall.  Cracks the cutest smile.  Eats like a horse.  And, has the most infectious laugh that can charm the pants off anyone.  All the locals adore her, and say how beautiful she is.

Since I missed a few Blog-days, I'll take it from the beginning.  We went to the Civil Affairs building on Monday, June 13th and met Hadley for the very first time.  What a brave little girl.  Didn't shed a tear.  But, you can appreciate what a sad little girl she was ... had no clue what was going on.  Can you imagine?  Sheri was in charge of photography and video and we chose to focus on Video, but here's on of our Very First Photos:

As you can see, she wasn't wearing any shoes!!!  And, we needed some diapers, so we went to a small department store next to the Civil Affairs Building.  Just look at that face ... makes you want to cry.  And, she looks nothing like that anymore!!  The transition is just amazing.  

The next day, we went back to the Civil Affairs Office, which by the way, was a shabby room with a few couches and two desks facing each other where the "officials" sat.  We were the only family adopting, so we had the room to ourselves.  It was a little anticlimatic ... but, who cares!!!  She's mine now!!! 

After the Civil Affairs Office we headed directly to Datong, the city where Hadley was found (and presumably born) -- a four hour car ride (what a way to bond!!).  Here, we needed to go directly to the police station (which was not really a police station!), to provide some information that they key into the computer system for issuing Hadley's passport ... or something, because I have yet to receive a passport (maybe tomorrow?).

After we were through at the "Police Station", we had the opportunity to visit the orphanage where Hadley was brought when she was found.  While she lived with a foster family for about a year, she was returned to the orphanage's care in March of this year ... just in time for her to be assigned to me! 

 

I really wish I had stopped to buy some candies or something to bring the kids at the orphanage.  They were so cute, and posed for a photos with us.  They all new MianMian by name, and seemed really happy to see her.  Just look at these kids.  Doesn't it just break your heart?  

After our trip to the orphanage, we ate some hot pot!!  It was very neat experience, but WAY to hot outside to be sitting next to a boiling pot of hot oil and broth!! It was delicious nevertheless.  

That was enough for me for one day!!  We checked into our hotel where we experienced the hard beds we've heard all about.  It didn't stop me from sleeping after the day we had!!  I have to say, Hadley was quite the trooper through it all.  Got a little cranky on the car ride, but who wasn't??  

The next morning, we had some breakfast where we experienced Shanxi Noodles for the first (but not the last!!) time.  Yes -- they were everything everyone raved about.  Awesome!!!  I wish I had a photo of how they use a cleaver to shred the noodles off this long board of ... noodle dough!!!  I know I will long for these noodles ... Mmmm.  After breakfast we got BACK in the car, but before heading back to Taiyuan, we stopped at the Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage Site.  

Another four hours in the car to Taiyuan, where we checked into our hotel and passed out.  But, not before feeding my little eating machine.  This little girl will eat anything you put in front of her!!  And, did I mention, that she's neat?  

Today, we had our first opportunity to sleep in.  Aaahhhh ... I even had to wake Hadley!!!  We stuck to Hadley's schedule as best we could, and actually let her nap in the room.  This little girl puts herself promptly to sleep!!  Will it last?  

After she woke, and of course ate again!, we headed out to a "Vinegar Factory"that we read about online.  Taiyuan is known for its vinegars and a certain kind of wine, so I wanted to bring some home.  Well, the "Vinegar Factory" was simply a street with a bunch of vinegar shops.  Maybe there was a factory somewhere, because it smelled heavily of vinegar, but not the type that would provide the tour I was hoping for!!!  It was pretty cool, because they fill these containers that look like gallon jugs of cleaning products from a spigot.  They also have all variations of aged vinegars.  Unfortunately, the clerks did not speak any English, but it's never hard to find someone who does!!!  And, I have to say, I'm getting by on my limited Chinese.  It's been quite an experience, but the language handicap hasn't held us back.  We're hopping into cabs, negotiating prices, even went to a large upscale shopping center and bought Hadley shoes!!  

At the shopping center, Hadley had her first taste of ice cream.  Of course, if she can eat it, she likes it!!  I also bought her a couple of toys -- yup, the plastic kind that make noise when you push buttons.  

Is this kid cute, or what???  I'm the luckiest Mommy!!!