Legally Ours

We just got back from the Civil Affairs Office and Notarization offices.  Although I was unclear of the purposes at the time, after everything was all over there, we found out that now Ginny is ours in the eyes of China.  We are now the official legal guardians of Wu Jin Jun. 

One noise that Ginny seems to make is "Yah" over and over again.  Our guide told us in Chinese this is sort of an abbreviated way of saying "I want..", so that is helpful information.   She also indicates the same thing by a certain hand gesture. Our guide and the orphanage official that was with us were very helpful in communicating to Ginny throughout the morning.  Apparantly she understands Chinese very well.  On the way to an appointment, Ginny started saying things in Chinese and looking out the window.  Our guide told us she was saying "Cars! Cars! Cars!"  At the appointments, Ginny was not a happy camper.  Thankfully, most of the officials were very patient, and some even gave her cookies and treats to appease her, albeit it unsuccesfully.

So, other than waiting on some documents, our main tasks here in Shanghai are over.  Two more days here, mainly sightseeing, bonding, and resting. 

I do have to add this, Ginny's first night in the hotel with us was interesting,  She vehemently refused to sleeping in the bed (the hotel's cribs were all broken), so she, after a great deal of verbal opposition (aka  crying) sat cross-legged on the floor and fell asleep sitting up.  Gradually she would tilt over and catch herself until finally she plopped down on the floor.  We bundled sheets and pillows around her, and she slept all of the way through the night, except for a bit where we tried to get her in the bed once more.

Jet lag is still getting us up about an hour or so earlier than our alarms are set, but fortunately we're still resting well most nights. 

I also forgot to mention that we got all of our care package gifts returned to us yesterday from the orphanage (except the ones from Great Wall I think), and they also gave us a hardback photo memory book of Ginny's time at the orphanage, which has all of her pictures, incuding some never seen by us, plus pictures of the campus.  Our guide says that Shanghai is known for giving some special things like this.  They also gave her a Barbie-style doll, and  a stamp with the chinese characters of her name. 

So, we have a free afternoon now, and we may go out and about in a bit.  Tomorrow is a trip to YuYuan park and shopping,  Our driver is also going to try to pass by the abandonment site (a hospital) and the riverfront for some picture taking.