Second Day with LuXue

LuXue spent the night between us last night.  She will not go in her crib.  She is a snuggler and loves to be held.  She will ONLY let me put her down if it's to play on the bed or on the floor with toys.  I cannot believe how much she "seems" to love me.  She watches Daddy like a hawk and likes to touch his hands.  But she will not let him (or anyone else) hold her.  She hugs me and pats me and laughs when I give her raspberry kisses.  She also mimics me a lot.  Uh oh!  She has said Mama a few times but I don't think she associates the word with me.  But she seems to be so smart, and it "feels" like she knows.

Our guide tells me not to spoil her but I am taking every bonding opportunity I can.  I suddenly have physical strength I did not realize before - I mean I can barely carry a 16 lb bag of catfood upstairs.  Corey calls it Mama Adrenaline.

She noticed Corey's goatee today.  So cute!

The people in this country are SO nice!  Very curious!!  But supportive once we explain :).

On the way the office to finalize the adoption today, she vomited, I mean projectile puke, I mean ALL OVER her dress, me, the van floor, even got a little on Corey's shorts - and he was sitting across the aisle from us.  Keep in mind this child has not been in vehicles, and there are no car seats.  We had to take her dress off and carry her in to sign the paperwork with just her diaper cover on!  At that moment I decided that LuXue and I were not going to the orphanage and finding site tomorrow, that Corey would go to document for her.  But I have changed my mind at the advice of other adoptive Moms.  We will only feed her a light breakfast.  And not the formula, oranges (which we could see in the puke), watermelon and scrambled eggs.

The notary offered us her 5-year-old son's long-sleeved plaid flannel shirt.  But then we had to leave it with the driver to take it back because her son has a game tonight and will need it.  They bundle their children up here.  We had to turn our AC DOWN - especially due to her heart.  But she always feels warm to me!  I am always holding her and I feel she will get too hot wearing long pants and a sweater on outings as our guide wants us to dress her.

LuXue's Nanny appeared at the signing today, and it was very emotional.  She cared for our daughter so much.  She took her and held her and cried and talked to her one last time.  I was crying too.  I cannot imagine doing that job.  Because of this woman, my child is healthy, well-fed, and has attached to me.  I have the ultimate respect for the volunteers and professionals who care for our world's millions of orphans.  Their job breaks their hearts time over.

Will post more photos soon!