November 13th in China

...today was a busy day of paperwork and process to formalize the adoption. It started early as we had to meet by 8:30 to return to the department of civil affairs....after many mornings of being awake at 5 AM trying to get over the jet lag - I actually had to wake Mike and Olivia up to ensure that we were on time.

At our first stop we were interviewed by the civil affairs staff and our adoption was made official - the orphanage director presented each baby with a gift and we now have a number of photos of Olivia from her foster family and pictures of who believe to be her foster parents - these will be important to her in the future and Mike and I are very thankful for the wonderful care they provided - she came to us healthy and well looked after - we hope to somehow be able to send some pictures back to them from Toronto.

Our next step was the notary office where additional documents were signed and as of now all of the local paperwork has been completed, we are just waiting to get her passport.

A little later today we will all be travelling to Walmart to purchase all the things we should have packed but didn't!

The next few days have tours of the area planned as well as a visit to the town where the babies were born - Guigang....we expect to participate in all of them...Saturday we return to Beijing.

The hotel here in Nanning has devoted an entire floor to adoptive families and at any time night or day you can open the door and see someone walking their stroller or bouncing their baby

Olivia has warmed up to us and is already trying to walk and has figured out how to get out of her crib...her favourite toy is a stuffed bear that Mike and I had sent to the orphanage - it was the only thing that calmed her yesterday and now goes with here whereever she is.....she has 4 teeth and by the way she loves to chew on things I think more are on the way.

Max and Riley - get ready - as I am sure by the time we are home she will be looking to keep up with you ....