Hi Everyone,

Where to begin? Xiao Yun (Sheeoo weiun) is the most amazing little girl! I am not sure how to describe the last two days? Gotcha Day was quit indescribable. We all took the bus to the adoption center at 2pm on Monday, and then rode an elevator to the 8th floor where we all then waited in a large room. The children were actually in a little play room next to the big room, and as we rode up in the elevator, one of the parents baby was riding up at the same time.Dad recognized the baby but Mom was not too sure. :) As we were waiting, Xiao Yun was brought in. I did not get to see her face but only saw her from behind and new it was my daughter. Of course the next 30 minutes was trying to catch a glimpse of her face to no avail. The social workers call each family one at a time and then present the child to the family. On this day there were about 15 families from various agencies, and you can imagine the noise level and because there is no air conditioning, it took the whole event to another level. When Xiao Yun came out, she had the most amazing smile and actually looked me in the eyes and was the most amazing little trooper. I managed to keep it in check because honestly after saying hello to your child, you then need to ask your prepared questions of the nannies with your social worker who interprets for you.

It turns out that Xiao Yun has been in a "family home" that is run by the orphanage and basically for the past 3.5 years has had a MaMa (Mom) and BaBa (Dad) and five other siblings. Shocking news since I did not know this is any of my updates, and was not prepared to help her with a transition from that setting but am very thankful because she had been loved and taken care of and clearly attached to them. There was another little girl from the same orphanage that was the same age and actually a friend of Xiao Yun's and unfortunately did not fair so well with the whole situation and basically started a complete melt down of all the older children including little Xiao Yun because they pulled her away from us to go and help this little girl and show her how to act, to no avail. Not comfortable with Xiao Yun having to handle that, I went up to the group and suggested that we all go back in the room where the kids originally wait and play in there with the parents until she felt comfortable. It was pretty rough from this point on because as you can imagine, the kids are realizing that they are now going to have to go with these strange looking people.

Fast forward to back at the hotel, and Xiao Yun is trying to keep it together only slightly interested in the toys and new clothes, and it was a pretty rough day and night until she finally fell asleep. It is an awful thing to hear your little one cry for her Dad and cry to go home, it certainly makes you question what is the best thing for your child. Yesterday, after a great start to the day outside of meal time which is turning out to be a tough time for Xiao Yun. I cannot pin down the actual cause, but think it is because she might feel that she has to eat what is put in front of her. To say she is tiny is an understatement, she is a beautiful tall 5 year old that is so little, I want to just give her bowls and bowls of ice cream! :) Anyway, after breakfast we had to go back to the center to finalize the adoption and unfortunately this was a difficult time for Xiao Yun because she did not want a new MaMa understandably so!

When we got back to the hotel, we went swimming which was the first time I actually got to here Xiao Yun laugh! Pretty wonderful! We spent the rest of the day shopping at the local market where we bought a pearl necklace for Xiao Yun and a new Barbie! :) Poor thing was so tired, we did better at dinner with her understanding she could tell me what she wanted and did not want, and since I let her pick out what she liked at the local market, we had back up items for her to eat. Turns out McDonalds is universally appealing, and we will be having that for lunch today for Xiao Yun to try and get her to eat a solid meal- hard to believe that I am excited about her eating this, but really just want her to eat a full meal!Xiao Yun is an amazing artist and I think off the charts in intelligence. As we were waiting yesterday for our turn with the authorities, I pulled out a kindergarten book, and basically Xiao Yun finished 75% of it in about 15 minutes even though it was in English. She can count to 20 in English and knows her ABCs and something in English that they each letter stands for. She can right her name in Chinese characters and because she was a part of the Half Sky program, I actually have a documented packet of her progress and pictures of her since she was about two I think. I am so thankful for this and for the education she has received. The nannies say that she is always the first to want to perform in front of the class and loves to dance and sing. Can't wait to see her want to do these things again, and am hoping for another great day today.We are going to the local park to play this morning and then off to the island for the check-ups and medical reports.