Today I met my new son...

Well, today we left the hotel at 9:00 am and our guide took us to the orphanage.  Outside the orphanage, we met Robert, the American man who has helped at the orphanage for the past several years and has known Ben since he was about 3.  Then we went into a room where there were about 4 other families who had already received their children, so it was a busy room with a lot of joy going around.  We had to do some paperwork first and then they brought Ben into the room.  He seemed happy and not too nervous and walked in with a big smile.  He came over and hugged me.  As we went outside to leave, a couple nannies ran over to say goodbye to Ben and gave him a present.  Then the orphanage director came over to see us off.  She was very pleasant.  We left and went back to the hotel with our guide and Ben's teacher, who is helping to translate using Chinese sign language.  She has been his teacher for 3 years and it is very obvious that she adores Ben.  She is super sweet and kind.  We all went out to lunch.  We ate lamb, beef (very spicy), vegetables, chicken, and rice.  We used only chopsticks...no silverware.  We all did pretty good!  When I took a bite of something that was in that spicy beef dish, I thought my mouth was on fire!  We said goodbye for the day to his teacher and she took a taxi back to the school.  We walked back to the hotel and our guide went to her room and we were now on our own.  So, we've been hanging out in the room and Brent is showing Ben computer games, which he seems to like.  The two boys walked around the hotel a couple times and checked out the pool and fitness room.  They just wanted to explore a little.  Ben doesn't know how to swim.  After a while, we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Ben smelled it and right away tried it...no problem!  He loved it even though it was apparant he didn't know what it was.  So, we'll just take it easy for the rest of the night...I think it's been a long day for Ben.  We leave the hotel at 8:30 in the morning to go to the civil affairs office for more paperwork.  I think on Thursday we are going to go to the school.  I'm looking forward to that.  

 

We are already getting a little tired of the cuisine, and longing for some western food :o)

Oh, he gave away the photos from the photo album I had sent him in the care package.  He wanted his friends to have the pictures.  The teacher said that everyday he would show his friends the pictures of his family coming for him.  So sweet.

 

Susan is a great travel buddy and was my photographer today.  Thanks Susan !!

 

Stay tuned tomorrow for a new update.  I miss all of you back home...love you so much.  

Lisa