Adoption finalized!

We added some pictures again: http://picasaweb.google.com/troyernet/ChinaTrip5

 Michael slept through the night and woke up at 5:30 this morning hungry. This was a good sign since he had not been interested in eating much last night. Thank you for joining us in praying for his appetite. He drank his morning formula and rice cereal quite quickly. Here in Hunan province they cut the hole in the bottle nipple much larger and mix the formula with 2/3 boiling water to 1/3 room temperature water. I remember being surprised that Mandy drank her bottle this hot so I was not shocked when they said this was how they prepared Michael's bottles. They had mentioned that he had eaten steamed eggs but so far he has not been interested in eating any table food. Actually the concept seems to be foreign to him. Mandy was on all types of table food at 10 months so I have no experience with introductions of food. I guess I will learn.

This morning we met our group and went back to the Civil office to do the last of the paperwork to finalize the adoption. They asked the following questions: 1. Why do you want to adopt? 2. Can you promise not to ever abandon this baby? 3. Will you provide this baby with the proper education? Do you accept this baby as your own? We had our fingerprints taken one more time and Michael's footprint. A Visa picture of our Michael, John and I was taken so that is now being processed. Our signatures were notarized and the adoption was complete! Hey!

When we go through immigration in Chicago on our way back Michael will cross the immigration line as a US Citizen and his Naturalization Certificate will be mailed to us automatically.

After lunch Michael and the other two children were tired so we went back to the hotel and everyone took a nap including all of the adults. Mandy, who never volunteers to taken a nap, was asking when it was time to lay down. She has been exhausted. After everyone woke up we headed to the local department store -- you guessed it -- Walmart! What an experience that was. Everyone needed to purchase formula, diapers etc for the children. While we were there we noticed that Michael didn't seem to be very happy. The store was hot so we attributed it to that. However, when we got back it continued. We soon realized that he had a low grade temperature 99.6. I got my personal pharmacy out that we brought along and gave him some Ibuprofen and gave him a bath. He drank most of his bottle and went to bed at 7:00. We are hoping the fever was just stress related from all of the changes and that nothing more serious develops.

He has continued to laugh more and to be more relaxed with us. However, he still is not comfortable unless one of us his holding him. Mandy was comfortable playing on the floor and was busy exploring immediately upon receiving her. He is much more timid and cries easily when we try to sit down with him and play. Needless to say, our arms are getting a work out. I think we are both thankful that we focused on those arm exercises at the GC Rec Center the 2 months. Even though we both get tired, we are thankful that he is happy with us holding him and that he is relaxing. The exploring and playing will come in time.

Mandy is very excited because she has met up with a 5 year old girl named Alex from MA. She will also be in Guangzhou next week so they are both hoping to continue playing together there. Currently Mandy and John are swimming with Alex and her family. We are excited that she has found a friend to connect with.

Tomorrow is a big day for Mandy. We are going to be skyping her kindergarten class at Prairie View Elementary. She has missed her classmates and is excited about telling them what all she has been doing and to hear what they have been up to.

Tonight as I was rocking Michael to sleep I was overwhelmed with a desire for him to know of God's love and also our love for him. We were listening to a Twila Paris Nighttime lullaby CD and the songs were so moving as I held this small child that was so recently given to me to care for. I pray that we may have wisdom in knowing how to best care for him especially in the weeks ahead.

Ways to support us in prayer -

-continue to thank God for the positive experiences that we have had so far

-continued thankfulness that Mandy is having a good experience. She is taking her role as big sister very serious.

-that Michael's fever goes down and that he stays healthy

-continued bonding

-physical strength for all of us

-wisdom as we learn to parent Michael

I trust you will all have a great day today. Blessings to all of you - Sheila