The Adoption is Final!

Yesterday, we visited the Civil Affairs office, where we had received Lucy Hope the day before. During our visit, we had the opportunity to ask questions of Lucy Hope's nanny (or at least one of them) about Lucy Hope. We learned from the Nanny that they called her Zhonglan, pronounced Jong Lan and meaning China orchid. We had already decided to keep it as part of her name, so knowing that her nannies called her that gave us great comfort. 

We also learned from her nannies that she's sort of quiet, reserved, but likes to be in the thick of things with her playmates, nonetheless. That's exactly what we're seeing in her interactions with me and Austin versus her interactions with Lily Grace and Lia Faith. I keep hearing from Connie, Lily, and Lia how much she's running and romping and laughing, but everytime Austin and I are around, she sits down and goes into quiet mode. I did get to see her smile a bit after breakfast, but only a little. All of the Maoming baby girls seem to have this disposition relative to men, so all of us are wondering whose daughter will break first. Of course, Austin wants so badly to hold her and it hurts when she rebuffs his advances, but hopefully before we leave China, he and I will both be crowned potential care givers by our new little princess.

We also visited the Police Station in Guangzhou to get photographic confirmation that Zhonglan is actually the child we committed to and were given permission to adopt. Of course, there wasn't any question, but this formality has to be done to satisfy U.S., Chinese, and Hague requirements. There were probably 25 other families in the station with us (not all of them were Lifeline families). Afterward, we all received the "Red Books" (for those familiar with the adoption process here in China). 

With the "Red Books" in hand, our Lifeline guide announced to us that our adoptions were legally completed as far as the Chinese were concerned. In short, she's ours! Along with her Red Book, we also received a copy of the birth note attached to Zhonglan when she was found at 1 month old. The writing is her mother's, so this note will be the only thing she has to connect her to her beginnings, should she choose to pursue that option as she grows older.

Tomorrow, we will visit some sites of local historical importance here in Guangzhou to learn about Lucy Hope's province of Guangdong. It should be interesting and we are promised that it is a good place to bring cameras. So we'll try to capture some pics that portray Lucy Hope's provincial history that she may have for the future.

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, Lia Faith, and Lucy Hope


Green, Party of Six