Officially and Forever Ours

Wow, what a difference 24 hours makes. Literally, and without trying to sound too poetic, Hope's personality just unfolded like a flower today, hour by hour. She woke up, in this very foreign, airconditioned place, (thank god!) with people she didn't know, and quietly checked us out and then graciously, thankfully, gave us a slow, but wide smile.

This morning we finished the "official" paperwork with the government that basically was a money exhange and a few words about never abandoning her - as if. Throughout the morning, Hope's smiles came more freely, and after lunchtime nap, she was melting in our arms. Yesterday I was worried she had spaghetti for legs, but this afternoon she willfully took our fingers and marched us all over the hallway in our hotel. Yesterday, when I kissed her she cried! When David kissed her picture, she cried! Today, she smiled and snuggled. It's just amazing how far and deep love can go, instantly, if we allow it.

Tomorrow we have nothing to do at all. Boring! From here until we get to Guangzhou we pretty much are just wasting time waiting for the government to file their end of the paperwork, waiting and watching how far we let Hope manipulate us into jumping at the sound of her voice. I can see now how the pattern starts, and it's one of many lessons learned being an second time parent. This doesn't mean we change our ways, or course. Now we just know better and know we will pay for it later. But really, who can resisit a baby who spent the first 3 days of her life God knows where, 2 months in a Chinese hospital by herself and the rest in an orphanage? If Hope wants a hug or cookie, I'm sorry, but Hope is going to get it.