She's Here!!

What an amazing day! This morning we headed to the Civil Affairs office to meet Sadie. There were four families total today, but we were early and actually were almost finished by the time everyone else arrived. Sadie came in with the orphanage director and two nannies. They obviously cared for her very much. She cried some, but not really too much. The separation from the orphanage workers was a bit tough for her, but that's to be expected. We left in a van and I gave her a sucker lollipop which calmed her right down. Hmm..flash back to two years ago - that worked for her sister too! We went shopping to buy a stroller, some snacks, and supplies. Sadie (who we are calling by her Chinese nickname for the time being: GangGang - pronounced gong-gong) loved the store. After that, she has been great all day. She ate a very good lunch, took a good nap, and over the afternoon and evening slowly warmed up to playimg. We also went shoe shopping since we had none that would fit her. She has been slow to warm up and she has that hypervigilant look all the time. Her eyes are noticing everything as she tries to make sense of all that has happened. She did treat us to some smiles and laughs this afternoon and evening though. Hannah has been wonderful and actually coaxed Sadie's first words out of her "jie jie" (which means big sister). I *think* I heard her try to say "Give me dat" tonight, which would definately be in imitation of Hannah! The orphanage workers told us she still takes a bottle, but she has already showed that she can drink from a straw and from a sippy cup just fine. She has tried chopsticks, fork, and spoon and well - considering she had noodles for lunch and spaghetti for supper, she's about as good with utensils as any 2 year old eating that. She has great control of a couple of fingers on both hands and so has used those couple of fingers to do most things. So far, Sadie has been mostly quiet and observant. But she has a sweet spirit and a sweet smile and a cute little laugh. She's tiny..definately can't wear Hannah's pass me down 3's yet. I think 2's will be okay..but she can wear the one 18 months pants I brought too.

It has been truly amazing to watch my two girls today. I know there will be issues and jealously and things to work out...but right now everything just feels so right. We belong together as a family. Hannah has asked half a dozen times today "can we keep my sister Sadie PLEASE". Yes, yes, yes - we are keeping her. She belongs with us. God has once again done amazing wonderful things.

Thank you so much for the sweet comments and the prayers. You are making a difference even now. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Sadie has a lot more adjusting over the next few days and weeks and months. So do the other two of us. Tomorrow we return to the office of Civil Affairs to complete the adoption paperwork. And Wednesday, we will visit the orphanage. Those events were not a big deal for Hannah, but since she lived in a foster family, the orphanage staff and the orphanage itself held no real meaningingful place in her life. I believe her foster family was meaningful, but we were not given the opportunity to meet them. But, for Sadie, the orphanage staff is the only family she's ever known. I'm a little concerned that it will be hard for her to see them again and worry what she will think when she returns to the orphanage to visit. I do plan to have our guide explain to her that we are visiting only and she will return to the hotel with us afterwards..but at two, it's hard to make her understand. So, that's my prayer request for the next couple of days.

I will try to post more pictures either tomorrow night or Wednesday night. Thanks for following our journey!

love, DeEtte, Hannah, and Sadie (and of course Beth - who once again managed pictures and video of our "gotcha moment" like a pro!)