Adoption Ceremony

We got up early for breakfast so that we could get back to the room and Skype the family. This was Nathaniel's first time meeting Baba and his siblings and he greeted them with smiles and giggles:)  At 9am we met our guide, Vickie, in the lobby and went about a 30 minute drive to the adoption center. This is where you will come to meet your child and then you will come back the next day for the "ceremony". To paint a picture for those coming after me, the government rented the top floor of a not so very nice hotel. You will take the elevator to the 14th floor then take the stairs up two small flights of stairs. The people there are very nice. There are 2 men that work there and take care of all the paperwork and then the director who I seen 2 seconds was a women. The notary was also a women if that helps with planning for gifts:) So, back to the ceremony... they put a Chinese flag on one side of the couch and an American flag on the other. They presented us with his adoption certificate and an adorable minority of China doll (it is so cute). Then the orphanage director presented me with a certificate of appreciation for the donation and they gave Nate a silver necklace. Then they said their goodbyes in order to take the 3 hour drive back to the orphanage. While we were there another American family came in. It was the family of the little girl that was waiting for her family the day before. As we talked I discovered the little girl was "Linda" from LWB!! Unfortunately they were staying at Trade Point and I was at the Sheraton so I doubt I will run into them again:(  Tomorrow is sightseeing day! My options were 1. to go to the museum or 2. pay $200 to go to the countryside and visit some beautiful caves. Do I even need to say what options I chose? My heart said the country side but my wallet said the museum:) I hope it's fun! She said some people skip them all to go to the orphanage but that was extra money and a three hour drive so I passed on that too. Nate is from the SWI of Liuzhite District and they do not allow visitors. You can only drive by and look at the building (which I would love to do) but maybe one day we will have the opportunity to come back and show Nate where he was from.  Ok, that is all for now:) I think me and Nate is going for a walk! Which reminds me... we went to Wal-Mart to buy a stroller.... $35 for a used and dirty stroller. I said no. He is just going to have to walk or mom is going to have to carry him:)