September 1,2008

We met with the civil affairs officer today and the orphanage personnel to complete Cali's paper work. It was so interesting in that it was so different then we adopted Lily. Perhaps because we were the only family adopting or perhaps it is just differently because we are in a different province. We spent over an hour with them. First they were asking us the basic information to include in their reports. They were questions that we did have to answer during the process on paper. But when we adopted Lily we never had to answer them orally one on one in China. It was a bit intimidating at first but I appreciated that fact that they did seem to genuinely interested in Cali and her well being for her future. Afterwards they asked if we had any questions about Cali. I did prepare some questions that our guide interpreted for us. I did tell her to tell me if any of my questions were not proper before she asked them. I wanted to build a relationship with them in the hopes that one day we can come back and help in Cali's orphanage for a few weeks at a time in the future and also continue to send packages back to the children after we come back to the states. They gave me emails to the civil affairs officer and to the orphanage. This was such a blessing for us. She actually said this may be a possibility!! Lily's orphanage is more remote therefore more difficult to continue a relationship. We are traveling to the town where Lily's orphanage is located, Xiamen. We will spend the night in a hotel and visit the orphanage during the day. Again, what a blessing. They did say Cali's "finding place" was in a remote town and perhaps too far even from the orphanage to visit at this time. I do believe we will be back here so we may have to leave her finding place for another trip. I did ask if we can visit the hospital that Cali had her surgery and they did say that it was close enough to the orphanage to visit. How great if we were to meet her doctor and we can thank him for the care of Cali.
Cali is tiny little thing. I don't know if I have ever seen such tiny wrists before. By the time we come home I think she will have gained some weight. They told me to feed her soft foods, sounding like a very young baby but...today at breakfast she ate yogurt, watermelon, congee, and noodles. But the girl knows what she does not want as well-no eggs, she was very clear on that one. I was not sure if she would have the abilty to talk since she has a cleft palate. She has been babbling but honestly I was not sure if it was baby talk or babble but this afternoon she was clearly singing chinese songs quietly to herself when I was rocking her to sleep for her nap. Ah yes, her nap...so sweet she fell asleep on me. Is there a better feeling than a baby sleeping on you...no I don't think so.
Lily seems to be doing GREAT with Cali. She has also been a trooper with all this traveling. We did bring a portable DVD-the best thing ever invented for a three year visiting in a foreign country!