Ning rocks!

We met Ning today and everything is going really well. We arrived at the civil affairs office a little after ten and he was already there. One of the nannies was showing him the photo album we sent. We got him to sit in my lap with some milk and a snack. He wouldn’t look right at us but I caught him stealing a glance every once in a while. He smiled when I pulled out a book! We knew we were perfect for each other! He sat still for a long time and then he finally started crying. He is very attached to his nanny and was crying and reaching for her, but I kept talking to him and holding him. He has obviously been very loved and he knows how to be comforted. Even though he wanted out of my arms, he still let me pat him and be close to him. When I told him he could put his head on my shoulder, he did. He eventually fell asleep but then we had to wake him to have our picture taken for the paperwork. Bummer.

Back at the hotel, he wouldn’t let me put him down or sit down, so I walked him back and forth like a baby in the middle of the night. He didn’t want anything to do with the cars or ball we had for him. I just held him and he cried off and on for a long time. He fell asleep again and I lay down with him.

After we napped, we ate a little something and he shared a sandwich with me. He was looking at me pretty regularly and would calm down when I told him everything was okay. He wasn’t talking, but he understood my poor Mandarin and responded to it. So at least I’m able to ask him about food, drink, and being hungry or tired.

Eventually, we got on the floor and played ball and blew bubbles. He started laughing and smiling. It was heaven! Then he really started talking! He was pointing to the pictures and saying, mama, baba, jie jie, and An Ning. He is incredible. He also finally let Dave hold him, too, and is very comfortable with him.

We just got back from the store because he needed new shoes. He did really well. I carried him there and back, and my arms got a workout. I’m guessing he weighs about 28-30 pounds. He’s a solid little dude. Way bigger than his barely-older sister. He carried his new socks around the whole time and pointed at things and smiled. When we were leaving the store, he leaned over and kissed me! He is so stinkin’ cute. Right now, he’s sitting on Dave’s lap sucking his two middle fingers and relaxing.

Really, we could not have asked for a better day. I’m so thankful that he’ll let us comfort him and feed him. I’m hoping that as he grieves and adjust, things continue to go this well.