First Full Day as a Family of 4!

I truly appreciate all of the prayers from family and friends!  Today went better than I expected - Praise be to God!

The Albright family sent us some pictures from when we first saw KaiLi yesterday!

I went to bed at 9pm last night after working on the blog, as I wasn't sure how much KaiLi would sleep the first night.  At 11pm, I woke up to a little cry from her and darted out of bed. But she was just crying in her sleep, poor Baby!  She rolled over and keep sleeping.  Then I woke at 1:30am to her crying much louder.  I went into the living room (stepping over MeiLin) and she was standing in her crib. She stopped crying immediately and I just rubbed her back. She walked around the crib and was checking out her surroundings.  I really needed to use the ladies room, so I asked Brandon to rub her back.  She wasn't having any of that and ran back to me.  (It is very common for the kiddos to not like men.). So I keep rubbing her back. She eventually lied down on her own. I kept rubbing her back, but after she kicked away my hand, twice, I stopped. Then I just sat on the ground by MeiLin until she drifted off to sleep.  Precious baby!  I got up a few other times during the night, but she was just stirring.  I am going to put the first night in the win column!

We awoke at 6am, but KaiLi was still sleeping.  I raced to get dressed before she woke up.  She started stirring awake right when I was finishing up.  I walked over to her.  She saw me, looked around, realized where she was and started wailing and crying for MaMa and BaBa again.  I picked her up and rocked her trying to soothe her as best I could. I knew she must be thirsty and hungry as she had had nothing to eat or drink since at least before 5pm yesterday when we got her.  So I had MeiLin bring me the bottle of milk that the orphanage provided in a snack bag.  She gulped it down.  We got both girls dressed and headed down to breakfast.

Headed to breakfast!

The girls adorable matching shirts from Aunt Amber!

KaiLi did NOT like being strapped into the high chair.  She is the exact opposite of MeiLin.  MeiLin was so shell shocked that she would just sit quietly, observe, and would do anything that we asked.  Well, not my little 'strong-willed child' as we are calling her.  Ha!  I stayed firm with her but gentle and Brandon ran over some cereal.  The restaurant had brought her a baby bowl and fork. Precious KaiLi was determined to eat the cereal (looked like larger Cheerios) with that fork.  She tried all during breakfast, while I feed her by hand.  She did manage to get one piece in her mouth with the fork, but I was impressed by her will power.  This girl has perseverance!  She spilled yogurt all on her pants twice, so we had to run upstairs and change her.  We packed snacks, the money, paperwork, got on jackets, and then started to head out of the door when I smelled it. Yep, the first poopy diaper and I got the honors!  MeiLin keeps saying, "Eww, disgusting!"  Then we got everything rounded up again and headed out the door.

At 8:30am, we met to finalize the adoption paperwork.  I had asked Mary to talk with the caregivers about KaiLi being with a foster family.  She said they confirmed that KAILi was NOT with a foster family, which was such a surprise to me after her crying and screaming last night and this morning.  She said that there was one caregiver who doted on KaiLi and mostly looked after her.  So I will likely never know why she is calling those names...  They also said to tell me that KaiLi is very stubborn and has quite a temper.  Oh my!  :)

Waiting in the lobby

Little KaiLi

We walked with the Albright family and our guide, Mary, to a government building across the street.  That was a scary experience because you are crossing an 8 lane road where drivers use lanes as guidelines while dodging large buses coming your way. YIKES!  We stayed there around an hour and a half.  The kiddos started to get ancy, but we tried to keep them entertained as best we could.  KaiLi did NOT like being strapped into the stroller.  I am seeing a pattern and can tell the car seat is going to be a joy once we get back to the US...  Next, we drove 30 minutes to register for KaiLi's passport.  While there, MeiLin had to go potty.  Brandon took her, but they only had squatty potties and MeiLin refused to go.  I took her with Mary, who offered to hold her, but MeiLin was crying and still refused to go.  Finally, Mary said we had to go to the next stop.  I had no choice but to just carry MeiLin out.  

A quick family picture!

It's a bit grainy, but I caught a smile from KaiLi!

MeiLin was crying in the van, when the other family offered up a diaper from their little girl.  OMG - Yes!  So I put that on her. (Yep, stood while driving on the highway. I am sure that was safe.)  Then I held MeiLin and told her it was okay, that she is still a big girl.  Well, my leg started to feel warm, and you know what that means!  The poor thing really had to go!  She filled up the diaper and then some, sweet baby!  But I only had a change of clothes for KaiLi.  It wasn't that much, so I just switched her back (while standing again) into her undies.  She was much happier after that.  Finally we arrived at the notary office. That was quick and viola the adoption was complete.  We were officially KaiLi's parents!  (Too bad we can't head home now!)

MeiLin took this one!  KaiLi is warming up to BaBa!

Both of the girls wanted to sit with Mommy!  (MeiLin was getting a bit upset. :( )

Shopping for necessities at Walmart was up next.  We placed an order at PaPa Johns and then went shopping. The other family got shoes for their little girl, we got snacks, caffeine drinks, formula and toys, and all the families loaded up with bottled water.  We picked up our food and headed back to the hotel.  If you haven't noticed, this has been a LONG day.  I was really glad I never looked at my watch, because we didn't get back to the hotel to eat until 1:45.  Ugh!  Good thing KaiLi liked pizza!  KaiLi looked up at MeiLin and said, "Jie Jie" (sister)!  MeiLin was so excited that she said her name first!

We put KaiLi down for her nap.  That was much easier than expected...clearly it was part of her routine!  We decided to grab a quick hour nap, too. Well...there was a mix up on the alarm and we sleep for 3 hours.  UGH, we are so going to regret that tonight!   We woke up and the kiddos played with the new toys we got at the store.  We did a quick dinner in the room and the bath time!  KaiLi was just too upset yesterday to worry about that.  And she HATED the bath whereas MeiLin had loved it.  So it was in (she immediately peed - he, he) and then out!   I put on her bed time lotion, pajamas, and we gave her a warm bottle.  I was in heaven.  I just loved cradling her and she snuggled right in!  Then I put her down and she went straight to sleep.  My little princess!

KaiLi's first bath!

KaiLi showed her stubbornness and temper throughout the day.  Redirecting doesn't work well with her.  She tries to push back to what she wants and then cries and stomps her feet (pretty cute).  I stayed firm but gentle.  We are going to have our hands full with this one!  And the plane ride is going to be a test of patience for sure!

Praying that tomorrow goes as well. I just love my little family, and I am truly blessed!