Mission Accomplished!

At 4 p.m. we got her. We just walked into the room and all the babies were there, it was much different than last time. She's beautiful and the orphanage director said she was "very healthy". She's been screaming ever since we got her. We're now back in the hotel for the night (yay), but there's some paperwork to do in twenty minutes. The only concern thus far is that she seemingly hasn't been able to sit up (which she should be able to do at 15 months) but it could just be because she's emotionally exhausted and crying. I'll update as soon as we know more. She's getting her first bottle as I type this.

Us leaving the hotel to get Isabella. We walked through a busy highway and almost died several times on our way. I'm actually not kidding.

Us inside the building, moments before we got her. Just to the left of us was the hall leading to the room with the babies. Our last picture as a family of four.

Ana and Isabella meeting for the first time.

Yo, weh mah ladiez @?

Isabella with 3/4 of her new family.

My dad likes to knock back a few (dozen) before life-changing events.

The first time I got to hold her

Aww

Alright! As I was posting these, my mom said she pulled herself up while she was sitting on her lap, so that's a good sign. My dad is now doing paperwork, and my two sisters (wow it feels weird saying that) and my mom are on a walk through our 5-Star incredible hotel. It's 4:15 a.m. where you guys are now, but over here we are enjoying our first evening as a whole family.

I was surprised at just how different she looks from our original referral pictures. She's absolutely beautiful. She's also the smallest baby of the ones adopted today (Ana was tiny too).

Ana is so amazing with her. She's so gentle and caring. She helped change her diaper, sang her a lullabye to try and calm her down, and she was the one that suggested that they go on a walk to try and make Isabella feel better. How sweet. Unfortunately Ana was crying too, feeling jealous and left out since Isabella was getting all of the attention. I think she's okay now though.

One last thing before I go for now: I found out both of my sisters Chinese nicknames. Ana's is Yiyi (pronounced yee yee), and Isabella's is Simbei (pronounced sim bay). Those names are totally rad, so I think I'll start calling them by that.

I'm so happy that we finally have her. I found out that we started this 19 months ago (I thought it was 17), and it's surreal that now everything has come full circle. Everything's going to be different now, but just like with Yiyi, I'm sure in a few days I won't even remember what it was like without Simbei.

I really love reading all the comments. It's great to have that connection from back home, and to know that families I've never even met before are reading this and praying for us as well. Thanks everyone! :) Hopefully I'll get in another update tonight.