Officially Official!

As I mentioned before....when we received Chu Chu on Gotcha day, we were just "legal guardians" for 24 hours.  We did not realize this was the process.  Michael and I just kind of jumped feet first into this world of international adoption and did not do any research.  We have just been learning along the way.

Anyway, after the 24 hour trial period you go back to the Civil affairs office and officially become a family.

Here we are....A FAMILY!  Chu Chu had just woken up from sleeping on me in the ergo baby, so she was a bit groggy.

It was really cool seeing all the other families receive their certificates of adoption as well.  They did like a very informal ceremony where they called our names and we went up and received our adoption decree.  Lots of people were emotional as you can imagine.  I surprisingly have have not been having any tears.  I think I must have used them up the 2 weeks prior to coming here! ;o)  I did tear up a bit when I saw the dads cry.   Seeing guys cry always gets me.  It is funny how you automatically go into mom mode.  I am so worried about making sure Chu Chu is not upset, that I don't want to cry in front of her....not like me at all because I can cry at the drop of a pin normally.  It was a really special day for us and a lot of of families.  We will never forget it.

The next day we went to Chu Chu's home town where she was abandoned.  In China you can only obtain a passport from the city you were born it.  Needless to say it makes for a long day.  We had to drive a little over 2 hours one way and drive back that same day.  Chu Chu was fine on the way there because she fell asleep but on the way back she was bouncing off the walls.  Our girl is full of energy!

Our Happy girl!  Doing paperwork before we head off to her hometown to apply for her passport.

The city office where we went to apply for her Chinese passport.  We will be able to apply for a U.S. passport when we come home next. 

They took us to the place where Chu Chu was found.

She was found right here at the entrance to the local orphanage.  Pretty emotional this picture is.  We could barely stand it seeing her stand there all alone....we took the pics fast and went right back and snatched her up quickly!  We never want her to feel this alone again!

First stroller ride!  She loves it!  Micheal, ever the engineer, checking out squeaks and rattles as only an engineer can do.  

We try and get her out so she can walk and stretch her legs but she will have none of it.  Hey who can blame her?  Why walk when someone will push you around!

Our angel sleeping peacefully!