Party of 5

We've finally got the VPN to work, so hope to be able to post about the past few days. At 3;30pm on Monday June 3rd, Hannah Joy Wanyao joined our family. She walked quietly into our hotel room, with orphanage staff and our guide. She was very cautious and reserved, but also seemed to know what was going on (a few weeks ago we mailed a simple book to her which explained what was happening). She sat on our floor, with her big sisters and I joining her as the orphanage staff explained the best ways to take care of her. She watched as her sisters blew some bubbles. We learned that she left her foster family that morning, then drove 4 hours to get to us in Nanning. She is incredibly brave. And delicate and dainty. Hannah watched as the orphanage staff left, cautiously eating some kix cereal. She would take tiny bites of each little kix, watching all of us. We went down for dinner, and she refused to eat anything. She continued to nibble on the kix. She refused her bottle. At night time, she began to cry, calling "mama" for her foster mom in the most heartbreaking voice. We learned that she in mostly toilet trained, and she asked to go to the bathroom. Once back from the bathroom, she sat silently on the bed next to me (she is used to sleeping with her foster mom), clutching her little doll and toy bottle. It took a while for her to fall asleep, and she refused to lay down. She began to fall asleep sitting, and I could gently lay her down. She woke up after several hours, and had some water. Again, she wanted to sit up and soon began to fall asleep. The next morning was when we completed the adoption procedures here in Guangxi. She is now officially a member of our family according to China. Hannah likes being in the sling or ergo carrier, and knows it means we are going out when she sees it. There is no better feeling than when she puts her little head down on me while riding in the carrier. She continues to be very quiet and stoic, just taking everything in. She will play a little bit. She likes eating eggs, and bread. She also loves snacks. She is teeny, fitting nicely in 12 month size clothes. She is very gentle with everything she does. After she finishes going to the bathroom, she says "da" in such a soft voice, which I am thinking means "done". She has the saddest silent cry which makes the rest of us cry. Our sweet little Hannah has been through more in the past 48 hours than many adults have been through in their lifetime. We are all happy to stand by her as she takes the time she needs to grieve her loss. We all absolutely adore her, and already cannot imagine life without her. We are incredibly blessed to have been given the privilege of this sweet baby girl.