We got Alice!

Today was insane!!  We left the capital city at 4 am and drove 6 hours to the city where Alice is.

We made 2 stops in the city...one to get the court decree that the judge allowed the adoption and one to get her new birth certificate with our names listed as her mother and father.

Then we went to the orphanage.  The smells where the same and it was a bit overwhelming.  We got to her groupa and I saw her and got so excited!  I had brought her a "freedom" outfit.  It had a onesie that said "So Loved".  I know they couldn't read what it said, but I knew.  The nanny wouldn't let me dress her.  I had been waiting for that moment for a long time.  But, I held my tongue.  It was so nice to see her without all those layers!  She had a onesie, pants, jacket, blanket sleeper, hoodie, hat and a blanket wrapped around her and covering her head.  And everyone that saw us leaving told us to cover her more.  It was hard to bite my tongue then.  I mean, I did it, I just didn't want to.

We went from there to 2 different banks.  The orphans here are given money from the government.  I don't know why.  If they are special needs they get more; in a different bank.  We closed out those accounts and gave the money back to the orphanage.  It is expected you will do this.  We didn't ask, we just did.  We also had to go back to the orphanage to sign papers of the transfer of Alice to us.

During all the running around we had Alice.  They don't use car seats here so I was able to hold her and cuddle her.  We actually had a wonderful time, her and I.  Erin was anxious to get everything done and was tired of waiting, waiting, waiting in line.  But, Alice and I tickled and giggled and cuddled and kissed and slept.  I'm pretty sure I was in heaven for a bit.

When we finally made it back to the apartment (around 6 pm) I couldn't wait to give her a bath.  I had been waiting to do that for months!  But, this is where the post gets really hard.  When I say she's tiny, I mean it.  I'm talking thin little legs, hip bones that stick out.  Her backbone is like a razor going down her back it sticks out so much.  Her ribs jut out.  At the orphanage we were given 2 different pieces of paper telling us what she eats and when.  The first one was from the nanny that took care of her.  It had 3 bottles listed.  The second one was from the orphanage lawyer and 6 bottles + meals listed.  The lawyer took the first list and threw it away.  I don't think she was getting the 6 bottles + meals.  I think she was getting the 3 that consisted of milk and wheat cereal mixed in.

I know this is an easy fix.  I know that in God's providence he chose this little girl to be in my family.  A mom that reads books on nutrition like novels and is willing to do what it takes.  I know that this is the first day of the rest of her life.  But right now, sitting next to her as she sleeps and I can see her backbones, it makes me...well, I'm sure I can leave that to the imagination.

I'm so thankful the Lord put us on this path.  Today, the Lord used us to save her life.  Wow.  That he would give us such a privilege.

Sleeping Beauty...orphan no more

She's a doll.  She loves to be held...which is good, because I love to hold.  We are sleeping with her in our bed and she sleeps best when one of us is holding her.  I'm loving every minute of it!  Today was too crazy to take any pictures.  But, we aren't leaving the apartment tomorrow, so more should come.

And just because the name sounds the same and I've had this song stuck in my head all day (and you know how I feel about that...if it's in my head it should be in your head too).  Now, imagine I can sing and dance like the lady in yellow and Erin is the guy with the turban.  Here ya go...