In the afternoon we took a quick flight down to Jinan. The plan was to go to the hotel and have Chen Qian brought to us there at 4:30. As is often the case things don't go as planned. Our guide picked us up and informed us that because the photo studio closed soon, they were going to bring Chen Qian to the photo studio for our pictures and then we would go over to the hotel. That is about the last place I wanted to meet our new daughter! She walked in and looked at us like we were from the moon. Then she had to pose for a picture while the ladies from the orphanage (who didn't speak English) kept telling her that we were her mother and father -- and she just stared at them with a confused expression. It continued to get better from there as we were told that the orphanage person would come over to our hotel to go over a few things, but that we were supposed to take Chen Qian with us -- much to her dismay. We took her to the car, as she was screaming and crying the whole way -- yelling that she was looking for her mother and father. Of course, just a few people on the street were a little curious as to what was going on.
Steve had to hold a wiggling screaming child while I tried to check into the hotel without crying! It was so sad to see how much she knew what was happening and didn't like it one bit. Once we got into the hotel room we were able to get the bags open and started pulling out the toys we had brought for her. Meanwhile, we needed to sign forms and try to get information about her schedule and likes and dislikes. It soon became obvious that the only information we were going to get is what they had written down (which our guide translated - in short version style). The lady from the orphanage didn't seem to have any idea for a majority of my questions. Hopefully we will get more information tomorrow when we visit the orphanage.
When everyone left we were finally able to get Chen Qian calmed down and we had a great evening playing with toys. The beads were a huge hit and she spent quite a bit of time threading them on the string to make a beautiful necklace. We were a bit nervous about bedtime, but she ate some soup for supper in the hotel room, enjoyed a fun bath, and went immediately to sleep with a little Chinese Lullabies music.
After a restless night of sleep (which meant very little sleep for Mom) she woke up slowly and was as happy as could be. We went down for a great breakfast and then met our guide to begin our day of appointments with governmental officials to complete the adoption.
This process was EXTREMELY stressful for Chen Qian!! She didn't really understand what was going on, but she knew that she was once again being taken to strange places. Once again she started looking around and yelling that she was looking for her Mom & Dad. I had to keep telling myself that this was good because it meant that she had attached to her foster parents and could eventually attach to us. Unfortunately, it didn't make it any easier to see her in such confusion and anguish. Her foster parents had given her a Buddah necklace when she left -- and she frequently hunts for it until she finds it and just walks around hanging on to it and talking to herself.
We have found that the hotel room is a safe place, once we are alone with her she again becomes a happy playful little girl who calls us MaMa & BaBa (Chinese for Mom & Dad). This afternoon we have holed ourselves up and spent the time coloring, throwing the blowup ball and stacking cups. We briefly tried to take her swimming, but it was soon obvious that while she likes baths, swimming pools are another thing altogether. One thing that went very was going through Chen Qian's new clothes. Charlotte has her girlie girl now. Char and Chen Qian spent quite a bit of time going through her stuff and she seems to be very happy with her new clothes - I guess little girls all over the world are the same.
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