She's Ours For Keeps

After a good night's sleep, Ivy awoke with gentle tears.  I hurt so badly for her.  How I want her to know it would be okay.  But she has to figure it all out on her own.  We went downstairs for a good breakfast, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  We left for the Civil Affairs office to complete the adoption.  Ivy's tears came again and she was very sad for about the first hour there.  When the officials asked her if she wanted me to be her mama, she made no reply.

Still a little sad this morning

After some time passed, she started walking around the office, taking pictures with her camera.  Another little girl followed suit, and soon the two of them were talking to each other, laughing and taking pictures of everything.  Since that time, there have been no tears.  We came back to our room, then took a walk around the island.  I bought her a few things, we took some pictures near the river, and had lunch at the Deli again.  She said a few words to me in Chinese, but that is about it.  I guess she knows we don't understand each other, so we just smile.  I hold her hand, stroke her hair away from her face (which is gorgeous, by the way).  I received many smiles from her this afternoon.  I'd say it was a very pleasant day together, minus the morning tears, but that is to be expected.  We went back to our room, and she watched a ridiculous super hero Chinese TV show.  We laughed together, and I brushed her hair for a while.  She seems very content.

She picked out the glasses

 

Just Beautiful

We went to Lucy's for dinner.  When she opened the menu, she just grinned so big because there was so much to choose from.  I think she was overwhelmed.  Afterward, I took her for ice cream.  She was a mess with the cone dripping all down her hands, but loved it.  She'll make Seth proud.  They both LOVE ice cream. 

Spaghetti

She had a spring in her step on the way back to our room and a big grin on her face.  I think she is beginning to like me.  I noticed that she will watch me and mimic me.  She saw that I placed my silverware to one side.  She then moved hers.  She did the same thing at breakfast with the juice glass.  Just 24 hours ago, I didn't know how this would all turn out.  I'm so glad it is going well for her, and she is starting to trust me.

Some things to share about Ivy:

She is very tiny.  The size 6 clothes that she picked out to wear today were too big.  The sleeves were rolled up about 2 inches and her pants were tripled rolled at the waist, and they were still big, dragging the ground.  She seems to have a gentle spirit and grace about her.  She is very elegant in her mannerisms..even the way she eats.  She has somewhat of a deep, raspy voice.  She likes cats, not dogs, and does not want to go to the zoo.  Her hands and feet are beautiful. She is beautiful.  Even the Chinese here comment about her beautiful eyes.   Her shins are covered in bruises.  I love her, and she has stolen my heart.  She is our daughter.

 

Some sights in China.