Our Adoption Journal: Day 8: Adoption Day

Today, Ian became a Blechacz. He was officially adopted into our family and is forever our son.

He snored last night pretty loudly and got up a few times. Jemma was up most of the night. Mama didn't sleep. (I asked Celine to ask Ian about his night's rest - he told her he didn't sleep good but not because he was afraid - just because it was a new bed and the excitement of everything.)

At breakfast, he didn't seem to like much, and I was concerned that he wasn't full. (I asked Celine on the way to the government building to ask Ian if he was full and he was.)

We had to each sign papers and then Ian had to write that he wanted to be adopted and sign his name. Then he had to have his entire hand printed - he thought it was just so absurd that his WHOLE hand was blue. They gave him a tissue to wipe it off and that didn't wipe off the blue so he came to Mama and showed me - I gave him wipes and he was much happier.

After the signing and printing, we presented Ian with a special Chinese mud love bracelet that says I love you forever. We pointed out that Phil and I both were wearing one and gave Ian his. I put it on his wrist and then the director asked to take our picture. He seemed to appreciate it. (Since then, he's worn it everyday along with the watch we gave him.)

We met another couple who adopted from Baoji - Ray and Jennifer. They adopted a tiny little guy named Judah. We enjoyed talking with them while stuff finalized. The kids played the candy sucking game again (who can suck the candy the longest) and UNO.

Also after the signing and printing we went to the notary's office where she watched Phil and I sign the other documents. I bribed the kids to play White Elephant and said whoever stayed quietest the longest got two pieces of candy. Phoebe won. Titus zoomed a dice that he had under the couch. The game was over when all the kids were trying to get it.

I let Jemma chew gum. She was started to lose it and it was the perfect time to let her chew gum to keep her busy. The rule in our family is 4 years old. But desperate times call for desperate measures

Ian had insisted on keeping his jammies on so the picture we have of him on adoption day is his jammie shirt. He at least put the sweatpants he had on the day before on over the jammie shorts.

I asked Celine to tell Ian that adoption was finalized and he was officially a Blechacz. She translated and the smile was PRECIOUS. It was a moment. I hope I never forget.

After the adoption was finalized, we went back to the hotel and dropped off our stuff. We were going to McDonald's for lunch. I walked out of the hotel room and Ian was looking down into a center landing below (that we call The Chill Out Area) so I said, "Jemma, do you want to go by Ian?" and she said yes! So Ian got to hold Jemma for the first time. He was really happy.

We went to McDonalds and I ordered and Ian stood next to me to help if I needed. He is a sweetheart. We got chicken nuggets, fries, a chicken box for Ian, a cheeseburger for me, and a double cheeseburger for Phil. The kids all got the toys and sprites with no ice.

As we were eating a man came up to the window outside and watched us for a while. I told Phil this was what it was like to be in an aquarium. LOL Phil snapped his picture and he walked away.

The police force came and set up outside the restaurant. We were unsure of why. There was nothing going on, but several armed trucks came, set up caution tape and barriers around their trucks and then they all sat in their trucks except for a couple who stood outside with their weapons. It was odd (but since then, we've asked Celine and she said Muslim Street is VERY busy later in the day and it is a good location in the center of the city for the police to set up and be able to get to any location easily).

After McDonalds, Phil took Ian on a date to walk to walmart. He bought Ian a sausage and a comic book and told him in mandarin "I am happy that you are my son. I like being with you." Ian beamed!

Phil and Ian went to the Police Station after that to apply for Ian's passport. He got his picture taken and they filled out the forms and then came back.

Someone stopped us to ask if Sammy was from China. :) Reminds us of when we were here with him. We got stopped often asking us if Sammy was Chinese.

Lily drew more attention. She was wearing a long dress and her hair basically glowed in the sun and her pony tail. She had to stay closer to Phil today. It was nicer for Titus to have a break from the attention.

Phil took Sammy on a date to get gatorade or something - I can't remember. He let Sammy pay. Then he took Phoebe on a date to go explore the 12th floor - where the amenities are.

I painted Lily's and Jemma's toenails while they were gone.

Laundry takes FOREVER. I can fit the teeny tiniest load in and it takes a long time to wash and then if we use the dryer setting, it takes 3 hours to get the close to damp and then we have to hang them up for the final air dry. We have SO much dirty laundry and the machine runs constantly it seems.

Laundry, coffee, this is starting to seem totally normal!

We went out for Korean food for dinner. We ordered and even had Ian pick off the menu. We had amazing curry, beef fried rice, stone beef, and the appetizer was broth with bowls of things to add. In the middle of the meal, Ian got up and got a menu and took it to a waitress and waved money. It all happened behind Phil near our table. I said, Oh Honey! He's trying to pay for more food. Phil reached behind him and waved no at him and told him he did not have to pay. He told Ian to order the food but that Daddy always will pay for his food. Ian tried a little longer but Phil got up and helped Ian order and kind of put him back in his seat. The noodles came for Ian and he slurped them up. We were happy that he didn't pay for his own food.

But that money was burning a hole in his pocket. We stopped to get ice-cream from a chest freezer on the way back to the hotel. Ian got gum. I watched him get it and use his money while Phil was getting ice creams worked out for the others. I wondered to myself why he was so desperate to spend the money (but since then have realized that it was exactly what a boy his age would do).

We came back to the hotel and we worked at getting everyone to bed. Ian went to bed pretty easily and slept much better that night.

First breakfast

The air washer truck is back there and plays It's a Small World while it's sprays water into the air to knock down the dirt.

Giving our gift to the registrar

Mr. Bai seems to have a log or journal of sorts - he wrote in it and then asked Phil to write down our email address - really cool to be able to keep in contact!

Officially parents of 6!

Goofball chewing her gum

Out of order pictures because these were from Phil's phone and I forgot to change the time on my camera and I'm too lazy to go back and reload these into the proper order. So - here's the day again: