Adoption day & Maria's Big House of Hope 10-29

Yesterday was a long, big, emotional,exhausting day for all three of us and we crashed as soon as we got home so I am trying to play catch up now. The big bummer news is my camera connection cord is not working so I can't get my photos off my camera and onto my computer right now. I am going to see if I can get it to work or if I can barrow one from someone to post my photos later.
So back to yesterday, Charlotte woke up right at 5:00am like her schedule we received the day before we got her had stated. She seemed to be just fine not happy not sad I really could not tell you what she was feeling. I did not get the sense that she was surprised or disappointed with her location. She was going through the motions of getting up, having her bottle, and having a little cuddle pretty much emotionless. We took her down to breakfast were she tried a few things but mostly wanted honey nut cherios, and to people watch. she had started to do a nervous smile and slap at Logan or my faces when we would stare at her or even when others would look at her and smile.
After breakfast we got ready and went to the office where we had received our children about 24 hours earlier. You could see that Charlotte knew where we were and she became nervous. She was looking around not sure if one of her nannies was coming for her, or if she was going with another family. It breaks my heart the we have to go back to that same office to finalize our adoptions. Some of you might not know this but the day you receive your child in China you sign papers making you their legal guardians for 24 hours and then you finalize the adoption after a 24 hour "getting to know you" time. Thankfully all of our groups adoptions were quickly finalized and these beautiful children legally became our family. I personally could not get out of the office fast enough. We quickly went down to the notary and then finally back to the hotel. Charlotte feels much safer and comfortable in the hotel room. But she was STOL a little nervous. She fell asleep while doing a very sad pathetic whine that we heard lots yesterday. She did a lot of this face where she would grind her bottom teeth on her top lip, and a smile that was filled with nerves and her eyes would sometimes tear up but the tears would never spill over. And, when it was just too much she would scratch at our faces.
After returning to the hotel we only had an hour to get Charlotte changed, and get lunch before heading out to Luoyang to apply for Charlotte's Chinese passport. Charlotte had fallen to sleep before we left and thankfully she slept almost the entire 2 hour drive to Luoyang.
As soon as we walked into the passport office a few nannies who were there with babies to get their passport photos taken looked at us. One who was wearing a !aria's uniform came over with big tears in her eyes and started talking to Charlotte. It was heart breaking. It was very evident that this nanny cared very much for Charlotte and Charlotte who was in her carrier strapped to me was not wanting to look at the nanny she kept turning away. At this point we were called back to process her passport when we returned we said hello to the nannies and the babies who were getting their things together to go. We took photos of the children and touched and talked to them all. The lady we presumed was one of Charlotte's nannies was still very sad. Charlotte was not looking at her still. After we all left the nanny ran up to me and told Charlotte something quick and then she was gone.
After climbing back in the van we reminded our guide we wanted to visit Maria's Big House of Hope where Charlotte has lived all but the first few days of her life. We found out that she infect she came straight from Maria's to us on Monday. That we are beyond thankful for.
Anyway, we asked to go to Maria's and we felt we were being a little questioned on our decision to visit the foster home. Yes, visiting her home was going to be hard but we were sure it was the best thing for our family and I am SO SO thankful we listened to our gut!!
As we drove up to Maria's the big blue building took my breath away. I am so very thankful to this home for taking such amazing cate of my baby. The home is just beautiful and amazing in everyday. We were greeted by many of the staff members at Maria's including the American doctor who lives there with his family and the nurses. Our guide and driver did not want us spending much time in the house because it was getting late and we had a 2 hour drive home. So we got to go on a quick tour and learn about how the home works. We learned a few important things about our daughter that we had not herded before including a sever allergy she has. Then to end our time at Maria's we went into Charlotte's old room to meet her nannies and friends. She was so well loved at her home!! Everyone called out to her. The poor girl was very nervous and she shyly smile and grind her bottom teeth on her top lip. She would look away from the nannies and nurses as well.
After talking some more with the American doctors and nurses who help take care of her little one we said our goodbyes and thank yous. We crawled into our van and off we went back to ou hotel. About a half our into the drive Charlotte's grief got the best of her and the girl lost it! Text book major grieving season. As hard and awful as it was for all three of us to have to go through it was a huge milestone. Charlotte in her own way knew she was staying with us an the constant search for one of her nannies was going to stop.