She is officially our daughter!

Today was a busy morning!  We did everything we needed to do to make Rylie officially our daughter.  She did super.  I took three bags of stuff and I think the other families brought almost nothing.  But I knew what to expect- wait, wait, wait. 

She liked the congee and watermelon for breakfast.

We went to the Civil Affairs office first and had to wait until the other families had met with the official for their interview.  We get asked over and over why we are adopting, why we are adopting from China, and we have to promise repeatedly never to abandon or abuse her and also tell them how much money we make and tell them how we plan to provide for her medical needs and education needs. 
We got to talk to all the other families a little more at breakfast this morning.  The other little girl was still crying a lot and Rylie thought that was pretty funny.  Ryan said she is just like her mom cause she cries when people are laughing.  She chowed down on watermelon for breakfast and ate a little congee. 

Rylie loves to give Daddy high-fives.

It has to be about 70-75 degrees here but everyone is dressed like it is about 50 outside.  So I put Rylie in tights, leggings, socks, and a long-sleeve shirt.  Our guide sent us upstairs to get her a jacket- which I didn't have.  So I had to add another shirt over the top of her shirt. 
We had to put a red fingerprint on all our signatures for the adoption decrees and then they had to get Rylie's whole handprint.  She didn't want to put her goldfish crackers down so that was a little difficult.  But they looked at her and explained and she listened and did what they asked.  She is easy-going and pretty happy all the time. 
The orphanage staff was amazed at how well she was doing with us.  They said they are so happy for her and that they gave her the beginning of life and now we will be babysitting her for the rest of her life.  Everyone was amazed at how well she is doing and they all think she is so cute.  She is kind-of the star of the group.  I mean, I might be a little biased but even our guide said I think she is an extraordinary girl. 
We next went to the notaries office.  There is no way I can explain the parking lot but it took a long time to get out.  Our guide said she would never drive in China.  She said the drivers do not listen to any rules except the ones in their own minds.  It is fun to be back in China and experiencing all of this.  This is by far the nicest and the cleanest city we have been to in China.  The weather is beautiful and there are not piles of trash and horrible smells. 

Once we finished at the notaries office, we headed to Walmart.  We bought a jacket for Rylie and more thick leggings so we do not get in trouble by the guide for not dressing her warm enough, lol.  We also bought a stroller.  We tried to put her in the cart at Walmart but she started to cry so I carried her the entire time.  Ryan went and got pictures of all the interesting stuff.  Our guide was so funny asking us how things are in America.  I told Ryan to take a picture of the giant bins selling rice and she said "this is not how you buy rice?"  People were buying huge quantities of rice.  I said no we buy a little bag of rice about this size.  Anyway, Rylie seemed to like the stroller so hopefully we can take her for a walk in it this afternoon.
We also bought coke zero, lots of water bottles, crackers, bananas, oranges, noodles, and diapers.
Ryan just said to Rylie "Thank you" and she repeated him.  That is the first thing she has repeated to us. 
We are really having a wonderful trip.  We are feeling a little more tired today but the most difficult part is over- at least in this city.  The next three days we will tour the city so we should have lots of interesting pictures and stories.  Today we are going to go for a walk and then maybe find somewhere to eat supper.  Our guide said we can have McDonalds or Pizza Hut delivered to our room.  I said I was surprised they would deliver McDonalds and she said "They don't deliver McDonalds in America?"  We said no but we have a drive-thru so she thought that was pretty cool. 
We have been very blessed with a sweet guide.  Our driver has managed to avoid any major accidents although there have been close calls. 

This is the official red fingerprint to make Rylie our daughter.

One more note- we heard Gangnam Style playing in Walmart and Ryan said something about it.  Penny, our guide, said "Do you know Gangnam Style?"  She said it is very popular in China.  We said it is very popular in America too.  She said do people like it because of the words or is it the beat.  I said, "No one has any idea what it means."  She was about to tell me what it means but got interrupted.  I will have to ask tomorrow. 

One more cute picture of Rylie before we show you the weird stuff from Walmart.