Sophie Lu, Day 3 and Kai's HUGGING day!!

So sorry it has taken so long to post about the day, but it was a whirlwind. We had no time for anything.  But it was a day filled with many many blessings, once again.

The night before Kai's hugging day, Sophie Lu wanted to prepare herself by getting her first bath. She loved it. Ducky Ducky has never been so clean, I assure you. 

 Then she tried on a few different looks for her "do" for the big day. After all that, she ended up going with pig tails, no bow.  And it worked for her. Told you she had an eye for those sorts of things.








We woke up the next day to take a very early morning flight to Nanjing. Sophie got SO STRESSED when she saw all the bags packed, bless her heart. Again, I am certain she thought we might be taking her back.  When we got to the airport and said goodbye to our guide and our driver, and she realized that she got to stay with us, her little heart lightened.  And her BIG smiles came back out.

At the airport, Sophie was the star of the show. Everyone wanted to get their hands on those cheeks. And they all thought it was a riot that she was coming home to 9 siblings. They kept saying over and over again.. "Lucky Girl. Lucky Girl.". Where I come from we call it blessed.  :)  But try as I might, I could not make them understand that WE are the ones who are immeasurably BLESSED. That's okay, though. Because we have a lifetime with her to show her what a blessing she is to us. God is Good.

Miss LuLu was a champ on the flight. As soon as we arrived, we had no time to relax as we got whisked away by our guide to start our drive to the civil affairs building to meet Kai.  We would have no time to drop off our luggage, or prepare any paperwork. It was GO TIME!

Around the corner from the Civil Affairs building, our guide allowed us to stop to let Sophie Lu go potty, and to have a moment to collect ourselves after the flight.  With five minutes left to leave, while we are packing up our stuff to head out, our guide starts squealing with excitement as one of her friends hops off the elevator. She runs over to her to give her a big hug, while we just sit and watch, so thrilled for her that we happen to show up at this time and place for her to run into her long lost friend. They must not have seen each other in such very long time, because she was SO very very excited to see her.

We were thrilled for her, but we had to continue on our business getting ready to meet Kai. We focused on packing, and loving on Sophie Lu for the last couple of minutes she would have us all to herself. Our guide   looked over at us, and kept gesturing for us to come over. Guess we were going to get to meet her long lost friend! How sweet that she would take the time to introduce us given they had so much catching up to do... and that we had just met. Such a friendly lady.

Only.. she didn't introduce us. She just stared at us... and nodded her head. And smiled. And nodded some more.

So we nodded. And smiled. And nodded some more.

Clearly we didn't give her the reaction she wanted... cause she looked at us confused.

And then she finally said... "Kai Ji..."

I was so excited she had connected with her long lost friend, and so focused on making sure I didn't break any social rules when getting introduced, that I failed to notice she was holding a little boy.

Our little boy.

So we met our son, in the lobby of the hotel around the corner from the Civil affairs building. Completely unexpected, but oh so sweet. And that long lost friend, wasn't so long, or lost. That was director Tang.  The director of Kai's orphanage.

Here is completely Clueless mama  and Sophie Lu coming in to get an eyeful of our little man. I am pretty sure Sophie had it all figured out long before we did. But she chose not to say anything. Wonder why?

Check out Sophie Lu giving me "the look" in this pic.  

"You got some 'splainin to do, mama. "

Once we had a few laughs at ourselves, and we oooh'd and aaah'd over his big rosy cheeks for a bit, we all packed in our van and headed to the civil affairs building. 

Director Tang, and Kai. She has such a sweet way with her kids. Every parent who has adopted from Xuzhou loves Director Tang.  So does Kai.   Look at that Sweet little face. Kai's, not Director Tang. Although, she is cute too. But look at our little man. Can you even stand it?

I pulled out some of my best material and was able to get a few smiles.

 And giggles... and worked up to big belly laughs.  

            Check out Miss Sophie Lu hanging with grandma taking it all in.  Sweet Sweet little thing.

I even managed to "charm" him into my arms. I can't give away all my secrets.   I am saving some  for my book which will be titled.. "Lolipop, Lolipop, oh Lolli Lolli Lolli, Lollipop."

Sophie Lu had NO problem getting in on the action.  She brought him toys, and she would giggle at him when he laughed. She kept pointing to his back pack, and pointing to him. Such a little care taker.

After I "charmed" him into my arms he stayed there all their all the way back to the hotel. His transition could not have been smoother. Prayers Answered. Director Tang had prepared him well. He even knew to call me mama. (yes, I do understand that is what he calls all the nanny's.. just humor me).  He thought it was a hoot that he got such big reaction from me every time he did. We shared more giggles, and smiles, and other things...lolipops.

Back at the hotel, he shared with me some pics of himself. He thinks he is pretty cute. We agree. 

Speaking of cute, Sophie continued to entertain us with her silly little self. She does not seem phased by the addition of Caleb at all. She seems happy to have another little buddy to be goofy with. And to take care of. And make funny faces at. She just AMAZES me!

According to the orphanage director, Kai is used to getting his way. No one tells him NO. Ever. He likes demands to be picked up and carried everywhere you go.  Did I mention he was a BIG BOY? He towers over little Sophie. Here is a picture of "BIG BABY BOY, Kai" being carried by Grandma. I mean, seriously?  This boy is big enough to carry grandma.

After a crazy busy day, we were finally able to slow down for a moment to eat dinner. Kai and Sophie    schooled us in how to use Chopsticks.

Director Tang tells us that Kai likes to eat EVERYTHING. And lots of it. But with his heart defect, he is not allowed to eat too much food, or it stresses his heart, and he starts to turn blue. (poor thing) So he needs to be monitored. I can't remember if I told you that he is used to getting his way? And that no one really ever tells him NO. Did I already tell you that? Combine that with a very very long day for a very hungry little man, who shovels the food in at lightning speed, and you have a recipe for some good good times. Good times.

A couple of times Sophie just looked at me as if to say, "Get a load of this guy."

Although today was very long (yet rushed), it was filled with so many sweet moments. Today could NOT have gone any better.  Such an answer to prayers.(thank you)

Sophie just blows me away with her sweet little heart. And Kai is such a little love bug. And the two of them together... it's almost too much for my heart to take.  I just keep praising God over and over and over again for these little blessings.  His love overflows.

Thank you, Jesus.

Until tomorrow...