Day 5: It's Official: Jenessa "Jeni"

[Note: now that it's official we posted pictures to yesterday's blog post about Gotcha Day] 

This is Andy writing today's. The food over here is brutal--it's a good way to lose some pounds. I was so excited for some orange chicken, only to find out it was nothing like American orange chicken. They have an American menu for breakfast and I ordered almost everything on it. I was pretty excited, but then again when the food showed up my 'shredded wheat' was literally strips of some kind of weird wheat and my 'french toast' was like some garlic bread with a kick. Why don't they have Americans plan and buy the American food?? Oh well. I'm learning. But on to the good stuff: 

Today has been awesome!! Gui Yu (we will call her that for the next 3 months or so as that is the name she knows and then we will tranition over to Jeni (pronounced just like Jenny--we have some pretty awesome sisters and sister in laws with that name) ). Anyway Gui Yu slept perfect--like clock work 8:30pm to 7:30am. I can't imagine what is was like for her when she woke up "Is this bad deam over" and honestly when she woke up she had the 'deer in a headlights' look for about the first 15 minutes. 

We got her dressed. 

We took her down to breakfast and we are still trying to figure out what she likes as she is not eating what they told us she likes. But it will come. She at least ate some eggs, yogurt, and fruit. 

Gui Yu seems to like to color and while she was coloring with Marsjon she turned to her and said a sentence (it was the first time she talked to Marsjon). I think she said: "Wow, you are one beautiful Mom, my new daddy is lucky!'  

We then facetimed the other kids and while we were talking to them, Gui Yu picked up a baloon and hit it over to Marsjon. She spent the next 15 minutes playing that game while the kids watched her. THe cool thing was that about every 2-3 minutes she would look at the iPad with all the kids (she would only turn her eyes and not her whole head). But it was awesome--that is the most consistent interaction we have had from her so far and it was really cool for the kids to see her and it will be good for her to see them!

We then took off to the Civil Affairs office to finalize the adoption. They brought us in and asked us some questions like 'are you happy with her' and in my mind I'm thinking "serious after 2 years and tens of thousands of dollars you think I'm just going to 'return' her" but I guess someone might? 

While we were there she came out of her shell again. It is the coolest thing ever as we get a quick view into her real personality and it makes me so I can't wait to get all of her--she is funny and seems to have a great personality!! She all the sudden started talking (which is the sweetest thing ever) and then she started playing with Marsjon. She would take her finger puppet and they would play like they were talking. She laughed a few times and smiled a lot and then she started singing--it was awesome! Finally--a McArthur that can carry a tune! 

 She would say "I-YO" which is like saying "Oh No" as she was acting out what the elephant was doing. 

(personally I'm not a fan of putting the hair into a single striaght up poney tail thing--but oh well). 

And then she sat back into my arms and starting twirling her hair--EXACLTY LIKE MARSJON--no joke it was EXACT. We tried to quickly get a picture but she turned away. 

The spots on her legs are from Mosquito bites that look like she must have scratched them to so much that they may have left some scars--poor thing. 

We recieved a notice of her 'advertisement' that was put in the newspapers right after she was left at the orphanage (apparantly that is how they try to find the parents). The cool thing is that we now have a baby picture and we learned that she was born at 6:38am. We also learned that her mom left a note with her. The lady from the orphanage said that she will try and find it for us--that would be another miracle. 

 I know a financial 'transaction' takes place while we are here, but when they pulled out the money counter and dealt over the cash, it got a little wierd. 

After we left the Civil Affairs we went to the Notary and they asked us some of the same questions. We gave gifts to each of the people at both locations--I guess that is a cultural thing. 

Having a nice nap: 

She finally ate really good! 

She hasn't cried since we left yesterday (I know she will need to grieve because that is important--it will come)

We went to Walmart to get some stuff for her and as soon as we entered Walmart this girl just came alive and that is an understatement (I posted a short video on instagram becasue I can't do it from my iPad) but it was awesome. I won't lie when I saw how much this GIRLY GIRL got excited when we went shopping I started to get a little nervous--she may end up costing me more when we get home than it did to bring her home :)--it's either that or she is a true Redneck and just loves a good Walmart? 

I'm sure I looked like quite the spectacle in the Walmart as I was laughing and videoing her while we were walking down the packed isles. 

 The bow makes the hair doo much better :) 

And Dinner was great!