Rachel is officially our daughter!

Rachel woke up and went right into her sisters arms and without tears.  What a relief.  I was nervous she would forget where she was and be scared.  Abby and I had fun dressing up our little China doll with a bow in her hair.  She was looking at herself in the mirror for quite a long time after that.  

Mei Mei and Jie Jie.  (Little Sister and Big Sister)

Looking at herself in the mirror with BaBa (daddy)

Breakfast was a success but she had to have some food in her hand when leaving the buffet.  This girl is serious about her food.  If you'd like to see her have a tantrum, take food away from her.  This is a very typical response to institution living.  

She never takes the food away from her mouth... it is always right up against her lips until she has eaten the whole thing.  I hope her brothers learn not to mess with her food.

Yesterday we went back to the civil affairs office and had to sign the official adoption papers.  It is a little scary to sign and put your red finger print on a bunch of documents all in Chinese.  Typically I read all documents before I sign but in this case, I'm trusting my Holt representative, who by the way is just awesome.  We have Anson and he's wonderful for all the other Holt readers. 

First official picture with Rachel as our daughter! 

After the signings, we went back to the hotel and found some noodles for Rachel for lunch.  She gobbled them right up.  She so far has eaten everything we have given her.  Not picky at all, yet.  After her nap, we ventured out on a Walmart trip with the rest of our travel group.  Anson took us to a different Walmart than the other one we tried.  Both within walking distance.  Isn't that crazy!!  Two giant Walmarts within a mile.  We got more diapers and found the snacks that her nanny had sent with her on gotcha day and bought her a bunch.  We will probably buy as many as we can before we leave China.  I've never seen them in the US.  Time to start shopping at the Asian market... this girl LOVES those little cakes.  For dinner, we tried Papa Johns.  Wouldn't you know it, this girl loves pasta and pizza!  Overall, we had a wonderful day with her.  We love seeing her view the world for the first time.  We are doing really well with communicating so far.  She points and grunts at what she wants.  We hear her talking a lot but we aren't sure what she is saying.  I've learned a handful of phrases in Mandarin which she seems to understand a little bit.  

Oh and this girl is Ms Independent.  My father will just love to see it runs in the family, regardless of blood.  I was Ms "Alli Do It" throughout my childhood and Rachel is the same way.  She does not want to be carried through the mall.  She wants to walk.  She walked the entire way back from WalMart, except for street crossings.  This girl is loving her independence!  I do see how she is very strong willed but God will use that somehow.  We have completely fallen in love with this little angel.  

She's serious about her food!