Adoption day!

On Monday we went to the Civil Affairs office to make Ava's adoption final.  I was a bit nervous about these appointments but we were in an out before we knew it.  The director from Ava's SWI was there so we were able to ask more questions about Ava.  She told our guide that Ava was with the best foster mom she has and that Ava was favored by all of the staff at the SWI; she said everyone just loved her and her adorable personality.  Another baby from Ava's SWI was at the Civil Affairs office with us; she was 14 months and so very tiny.  We are so grateful that Ava was placed with such a great family, they gave her a great start in life.  Her foster mom's daughter in law works at the SWI so the director gave us her email so we can send notes and updates to her foster family.  The director also asked us to please bring Ava back to visit someday which we plan to do.

The director also gave us Ava's finding ad ( they place a picture of abandoned babies in the local newspapers) this will be the only infant photo we will ever have of her.  She was so tiny.  We are so happy to have the photo for her and us!  Ava's birth mom also left a note with her.  We were hoping it would give us some information about her birth family but it only gave her birth date and the time she was born.  Some babies are given an estimated birth date so we are grateful to have an accurate birth date.  Our guide said the note was very well written.  Many notes are difficult to read because the birth parents are poorly educated.  Our guide Jenny told us that Ava's note was written better than any note she has seen yet.  She said that Ava's parents had to be well educated.

Walking around Nanchang we get different responses when people see Ava with us.  In the Civil Affairs office an elderly woman came up to us and gave us a thumbs up!  At breakfast yesterday a young woman gave me a look that could kill.  Jenny told us feelings about international adoption varies among the people here.  One woman in a supermarket yelled at us because she said we did not have Ava dressed well enough, she must be cold.  She was wearing a winter coat, dress, and knit leggings. We just smiled and said thank you.  People will simply walk up to us and talk to her or touch her.  Its so odd to us but we try to be respectful.

Adoption day was a bit rough for Ava.  She was very afraid of everyone at the Civil Affairs office.  We knew that she was very familiar with the director so we were a bit afraid that she would progress backwards after seeing her and the other staff.  She took one look at them and screamed!  She wanted nothing to do with them.  Once we were back at the room she did much better but was very tired.  I'm still amazed at how fast she bonded with me.  Ava is truly a joy!