Adoption Day

Yesterday we signed papers making us our little guy's 24 hr guardians, but today we became his parents.  We signed a few papers, put our fingerprint over each signature and then had our son place his footprint on the last document.  We took a picture together as a new family and that was that.

After finalizing the adoption, we drove to the orphanage for a tour.  It was actually pretty nice.  We were told it is one of the best facilities in the country.  (Also, what our adoption agency told us.)  The assistant director said they try to find foster parents for all "adoptable" children.  According to our guide, that means that older children and children with developmental delays are left in the orphanage.  Every orphanage is different.  These are just the particulars in this city.  Huihui was very fond of the assistant director and spent most of the tour in her arms.  I'm sure it was nice to see a familiar face.  The director stated that all the foster children come back to the orphanage on a monthly basis for a health screen, so she's seen him often.

Huihui doesn't crawl, prefers to be fed rather than feed himself, and doesn't know how to use a cup or bottle.  (His foster mom spoon fed him liquids.)  All of these things seemed strange to us since he was in foster care, so I questioned our guide.  She cleared a few things up for us.  She said the majority of Chinese babies do not crawl because they do not put babies on the floor.  She also said that parents feed their children with small spoons.   Children do not feed themselves.   So, I guess it's just a cultural thing.  He's begrudgingly fed himself the last two meals and though he doesn't use the Haberman bottle correctly, he is using it, drinking, and I'm not having to spoon feed him liquids.  We've introduced a cup, but that's going to take some work.  :0

Huihui loves Carter.  Carter helps him walk, plays with him, and helps with snacktime.  He's a great big brother!  We are getting a few "Who are you?" looks today, but everything is still going really well.

                                                    Footprinting our adoption papers

Family photo at the Civil Affairs Office

 

 

 

Our boys playing at the orphanage

Wuhan's Orphanage

In front of the orphanage with the assistant director, Zhao