(Civil Affairs Office)
What a day! We were waiting at the Civil Affairs Office - signing papers and we see Jada get off of her little bus and walk into the office. Her orphanage director had been talking to us and immediately stopped to lead us over to Jada. They told her "Mama" and "Baba" and she repeated both words - oh so quietly. She didn't cry but went to me and one of the nannies gave her a bottle. (A bottle for a 3 year old - we weren't expecting that!! We may have to work on hiding that!!) She sat in our laps and never made a peep. She didn't want to look at us - just gave us little glimpses out of the corner of her eyes. There were no smiles - just a look of total blankness. Of course, we are trying to see how well she can see - checking her out up and down. She came to us in a diaper, but we are thinking that was just for travel. Whenever we set her on the potty she goes - so she must be trained. We got in our van to come back to the hotel and she almost fell asleep on Daddy until she woke up gagging - oops - another Bilby that gets car sick!! Caleb will have to share his bucket! We have had smiles, giggles, and she fed herself lunch. We count it all joy! The only tears we've had so far are when we tried to lay her down for her nap. No crying - just silent tears running down her cheeks. That's enough to make a momma cry too. The locals try to tell me she is a boy - Joe and I laugh and say "no, girl" but they shake their heads no at us! (Ok - I told you she needs some hair and some pink!!!)
Here is what really breaks my heart - the people are clearly confused - they ask me if my husband is Chinese - I say No - they ask our guide why we want "China Children" - and she told them we had other children of our own but that we love children and want to have them in our family. They say we are very nice people! But we see them point at Jada's eyes - one lady very clearly was pointing at her eyes - that is the sad part - because she is not "perfect" people can not figure out why we'd want her. Joe and I have teared up a few times today - we will take her!! We love to see her smile, I love to help guide her feet over a new color of floor when she is hesitant, I love it when we put lotion on her feet and she won't let us stop - she smiles the whole time, I love it when she tries to play games with me when we are eating, I love how she wraps her baby in her napkin like a blanket and cradles the baby in her arms, and I love it when she looks up at me and says "Mama". She is perfect to us!
Xiaoxia (pronounced "Show" (as in shower) and "Sha" as in Cha, cha cha but with the "sh" on the front.) is napping right now and then we'll head out and see more of Nanjing tonight. This little one is overwhelmed by it all, I am sure. But she smiles - that's all worth it! God is good - His plan is good!
