It's Official!

Today we completed the paperwork so now we are now Noelle's parents! (Yesterday we were legal guardians). Basically we did more paperwork at 2 different government offices. Noelle was a good girl. She is following her schedule to a T today. The orphanage gave us her schedule and eating plan. We were told to try to stay as close as possible to what they tell you so that your child will be comforted by the routine.

So in case you are curious, here it is:

7 oz boiled water - hot, 6 scoops of milk formula, 2 1/2 scoops of rice cereal all mixed together in a bottle at 5:30 am, 9 am, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 8 pm.

snack at 10 am is boiled water with sugar or fruit juice in it - hot and cake (no joke). Luckily we have sugar packets in our room and cake is on the breakfast buffet (everything is!) so I squirreled some away in a bag for her.

nap from 12 to 2 pm

Bedtime at 8:30 pm


Yesterday we didn't have the schedule yet because it was written in Chinese and we had to wait for it to be translated. Not to worry, Noelle let me know that I was doing this all wrong by emptying her stomach on me at dinner. So sorry to the family we were eating with! I had to leave and return to the hotel, it was that bad. So Noelle has marked her territory!

We have been getting along just fine. Noelle is bonding with each of us and is very watchful. I put her down for her nap while Jim left to get us food. The room service here is just like in American, pricey and mediocre. Hopefully Jim will find some decent or cheap take out.

Noelle is very snugly and is usually content when walking around. Our backs are hurting so today we are getting a stroller. I hope she likes it. Even if we only use it in the hotel, it will be worth it. We've been walking up and down the hallways with her to help her fall asleep. Last night she slept from 8:30 to 5 am. She rustled a little this morning and then I heard a "Hi-Ya!" from the crib.

Noelle got to see her brother, grandparents and great-grandparents and many uncles, aunts and cousins today over the web. That was very cool!

Brittany