"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him" (I Samuel 1:27)

Today we set off from the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou and our lives have been changed forever, but in the most blessed way. Gabriella Wenyuan Sara Beattie was placed in our arms at the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Department at 14:30hrs and following a short cry and a few tears she has already started to settle into her new family life. We have enjoyed our first day with her so much and already a few smiles have started to emerge from her quite serious personality. We are slowly introducing her to a life outside of her orphanage and will take the first few days at a pace that allows her to smoothly transition into her new family life. Not too much excitement or stress.

We are thankful that she has not significantly rejected either of us, something that we were both apprehensive about. Instead as long as one of us is holding her she seems to be content and feels safe. Although she has not ate or drank too much today she is starting to explore more, watching everything with intent concentration. At the moment her favourite toy is a block of lego which her Auntie Karen gave before we left home and a small jellycat mouse whose shoes she likes to stroke....maybe a sign of things to come :)!

We enjoyed our evening tea in the lobby restaurant and following a short walk around the hotel block it was back to the hotel room, a quick wash and before we knew she was out for the count...had not even time to hardly put her pyjamas on!

Tomorrow we head to the Civil Affairs Department again to sign the formal acceptance form that will complete our adoption.....and then hope to enjoy more quality time with our beautiful baby girl.

 

Us setting off to the Civil Affairs Office This afternoon
 

 

Here she is with a delighted mummy and daddy

 

 

No smiles just yet.......

 

and so to bed