Our first glimpse of Ally Kate was from the parking lot. She was standing outside with an orphanage worker. I knew she was tiny but seeing her in person was a little shocking. She is more the size of a 5-6 year old than an almost 9 year old. Even though she was bundled I recognized that sweet little face. She came in and immediately said "Mama" and "Baba". She gave us all hugs. As we were not supposed to see her yet she was whisked away to the "waiting area". The children were then brought out one by one to meet with the official. This is her walking toward us for the "official" meeting. She readily came and sat in my lap. I immediately fell in love with her. She is the cutest little thing ever!
We signed the agreement to enter into the Harmonious Period which in simple words is a 24 hr or less trial period to see if you truly want to adopt the child. The orphanage workers were available to answer questions about her. We were told that she is very easy going unless she is starting to not feel well. At that time they said she will get a little grumpy. She has no allergies and will eat almost anything. Ally Kate acted happy and we saw zero signs of grief as we were preparing to leave. I asked our guide to ask Ally Kate if she wanted to say "good-bye" to her orphanage workers. One was working on paperwork and actually shooed her off with her hand. The guide then said something to the orphanage worker and she turned and did not touch Ally Kate in any way but said what I assume was "bye" to her. Heart-wrenching for this huggy American mommy but likely a cultural behavior on the worker's part.
Ally Kate was all smiles! She did not show any grief nor shed tears. This is not always a good sign as it can show that a child does not have the ability to bond or attach. We will use attachment style parenting so we will hopefully make her feel loved and very secure.
We returned to the hotel and stayed there a very brief time before going to dinner with our guide. Ally Kate is going to be spoiled! Mary Bailey is already becoming a little mommy to her too! Both big girls love her and Maya Grace did not act jealous when I was holding Ally Kate. We went to a local dumping restaurant. Ally Kate read the menu and asked for noodles with cucumber and egg. Our guide said that Ally Kate speaks perfect Mandarin with no accent. She also said that Ally Kate seems very bright. These were good things to hear.
Since Little Bit is so little I had only brought two changes of clothes for her. The orphanage sent her with the clothes on her back plus the items we had sent in the care package, a horribly torn up pair of underwear, and a thick pair of layering pants. The shoes she had on were too small and very ragged. Our guide took us shopping at a department store across from the hotel. They had a small children's department. We bought her two pairs of pants, two tops, a pair of pajamas, a frilly Spring dress that she kept going back to, two pair of shoes, and a pair of pajamas. She was so excited! During dinner I had our guide ask her what she liked to play and/or her favorite toy. She said "books". She is perfect for our family! We allowed her to buy two books. She chose two Barbie children's reading books.
We returned to the hotel. She bathed and got her pajamas on. We told her bedtime and she lay down with Mary Bailey and Anneli on the pallet we had made for them and she fell right asleep. We are one blessed set of parents! God is amazing! We prayed that God would prepare her heart to receive us as her family. I know grief may come later but this day was fabulous and even more than I could have ever dreamed possible.
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