After a 15 minute or so bus ride, we got to the place where we'd pick up the kids - the Adoption Registry Center of Guangdong Province. It was interesting getting out of the bus because they parked on the left side of the street and we had to exit out the right, into traffic (the picture actually shows the return). Our driver and guide formed a little "L" shape to route us and put themselves between us and the oncoming traffic. After a short walk down an alleyway, we came to a nondescript building where the registry center was located. All of the kids were already upstairs waiting for us.






We walked in and there was another adoption group just finishing up. Half the room was sweltering heat and the other half was relatively cool. That would describe the general area pretty well - where there's shade it's actually pleasant, but in the sun it's blistering hot. That explains why so many Chinese use umbrellas just walking around. It makes a huge difference.




We only waited about 5 minutes before they began to call names. It went very quickly from there. The nannies and orphanage directors were in the curtained room off to the left waiting to come out. One by one they called the names of the children and the excited parents ran up to take them. Pretty soon there was a pile of parents, kids, nannies, and social workers and chaos ensued. The social workers did a good job of clearing the way and restored some peace.


After about 5 babies or so, it was our turn. They simply called "Nan Qi Ya" and out she walked with her nanny. YaYa looked a tiny bit apprehensive but not like she'd explode into tears. I think April was in a little bit of shock though because she didn't immediately grab her. She wanted her to come to the boys first. It has been over three years since we first chose to adopt a child from China. We've been through a mountain of paperwork, expense, and personal sacrifice. The moment was finally here. Here she was, the little girl that has adorned our picture frames, computer wallpaper, and imaginations. Here was this little girl that we only knew from pictures. The little girl which we honestly wondered if she really existed. Now here she was, walking toward us.


Soren was the first to greet her


Then I held her briefly and handed her off to Mommy.


After getting the babies, we stuck around the adoption registry for a couple more hours, just playing with them and getting to know them. Most of them did really well and a couple grieved for a bit. Only one of them, an older girl, is still grieving. She is older, 4 years old, and has already had a tough past. She's such a sweetheart and we're sure she'll be just fine once she figures out that her parents will never let her go.


YaYa was actually about as perfect as you can imagine. She took to the boys right away, bouncing back and forth between Preston's and Soren's arms. It was amazing that she already had that much trust and confidence.


Then she seemed to figure out that April was her Mommy and went running to her.


So all in all, major success! We have to pinch ourselves. YaYa really seems happy. We're already seeing lots of smiles and hugs.


We even got to meet one of YaYa's closest nannies, Miss Chen. Miss Chen was present with her during her heart surgery in Huangzhou.


On the way back to the hotel, YaYa was a little fireball. She couldn't sit still and reminded us way too much of a certain little redhead we know...