So here's how it all went down.....

We all got down to the lobby at 9:40 this morning, got on our bus, and made our way to the Civil Affairs Office. We arrived at 9:55 right on time for our 10:00 appointment. We were the only 2 families in the office and there was one baby there that did not belong to either of us (even though we both would have taken her). We sat and waited as several more families came in and then a couple of babies. We saw families uniting all around us and it was a wonderful site. Our crew and The Downings were closing watching all movement around the building to get the first glimpses of our girls. After waiting about 45 minutes our guide came to us and said that she had just been informed by the officials that our girls were not going to be arriving until 2pm. We were heartbroken but in the grand scheme of things what's 3 more hours.

We all trekked back to the bus and glumly boarded. A group decision was made that we could all either go back to the hotel and cry or try to keep ourselves distracted so what did we do you might ask? We went to Wal-Mart!!! Yes the real thing, we shopped, laughed at each other scoping out the merchandise, and did a great job of keeping ourselves occupied. We had lunch at KFC inside Wal-Mart and by the time we came out and stopped in a couple of other shops it was time to go back to the Civil Affairs Office. This time I have to admit we were all a bit guarded when we entered. As soon as Paul and I crossed the threshold of the office we spotted her! She was sitting with the nanny and immediately came to us. She was happy, smiling, and showing her 2 little bottom teeth.

She should be used to having her picture taken already, because I think mom was snapping every 2 seconds!!
I know we have only had her a few hours now but so far she is going to each of us equally. Paul is the one that claims the prize of getting her to sleep first.
She did cry a little bit when we were in the office but it wasn't too bad.
She appears to have a little bit of a cold but we will clear that up with the arsenal of meds I brought.
Welcome to the family baby girl!!

We only had a few minutes to speak with the nanny and orphanage director but we should be able to speak with them more in the morning. We did receive back all the things we sent to Avery in a care package (including the disposable camera) and we were also shocked to receive a photo album the orphanage workers had prepared with about 20 pictures of Avery in the last months! They also gave us her finding ad. We are so grateful to have received these memento's.

We spent about 45 minutes in the office and then it was back to the bus again to go back to the hotel. She was a little fussy along the way but we think she was probably very tired and hungry. We tried to give her a bottle but she has no desire for American formula. Our guide went out to go purchase the formula and rice cereal that the nanny had told us she preferred. After a couple of mess-ups I was finally able to master a bottle she wound take. After drinking one and a half bottles she was down for a nap. We are pretty sure that with the travel (her orphanage is 4.5 hours away) she missed at least one feeding if not two. She slept soundly for over 3 hours.

She covers her eyes when she is trying to get to sleep.

Our angel sleeps.
A very happy family!!
A kiss from mommy while in daddy's arms!
She seems to like to be able to move freely and stretch out.

We are still in awe of her. As she slept in our room Paul and I just kept looking at each other and saying "is she really ours?" It still seems unreal!!

We have received a ton of emails and comments and we appreciate each and every one!! Keep 'em coming!!!

A side note: Kelley, Erin, Valerie, and Christie all said a special prayer and lit a candle for us at 9pm Texas time (10am China time). Girls, little did you know that your prayers were the strength we needed to deal with the one last unexpected wait to hold our daughter.

We head back to the Civil Affairs office at 8am to let the officials know if we agree "to love her forever". I don't think there is any question what our answer will be!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for checking in with us and our newly expanded family!!