Helena is officially stuck with us.

Today all the families piled into the bus around 9:30am this morning and headed to the Adoption Registrant Office. We had two interviews. One with the registry official and one with the notary public. We were asked our occupation, if we were healthy, where we lived, how old we were, when we were married, and most importantly if we wanted this baby. Our "grace" period is over and Helena is officially our responsibility.

We met with the orphanage folks again this morning and "closed the deal." They were very nice and asked how Helena was getting along. I imagine this loss of their little ones is hard on them too. I had a picture taken with them, but kept them out of Helena's sight. She actually caught a quick look at one of them and it was amazing to see the recognition in her eyes. Val quickly distracted her and she settled down.

We feel pretty good about the fact that she is stuck with us. We have been with our little sweetie now for just over 24 hours. Things are progressing really well. Helena is a serious little kid, and she is still taking in this big change to her life. Every once in a while (but less and less as time goes by) she gets this look on her face as if to say "who are you, where am I and when am I going to wake up from this strange, strange dream." Right now she is sitting on her Mummy's lap, playing with her Ikea bowls, as Val reads her book.

All and all she is a very easy keeper. We feel very fortunate with her health right now. Aside from not yet having a b.m. (which in my mind isn't really a bad thing), she has lost her fever and her cough has diminished slightly. Several of the other families have not been so lucky. Several of our little ones are pretty sick with diarrhea and vomiting, and a couple went to see the doc at the clinic today. Medicine was distributed, so hopefully they will be on the mend.

Our little "family" of 41 is pretty awesome and we feel pretty luck to have all of them with us, during this experience. Everyone is very considerate and generous with there knowledge and spare bottles and toys. Helena will have lots of "sisters and brothers" to keep in touch with around the country. And closer to home, she will have a buddy right down the road in Alpine, Utah. Matt and Christi are here with us to adopt little Ruby Cai (photo included).

I will leave it at that, with some photos of the day. We continue to be enamored with this little bundle as we wait patiently for her to adjust to us. And I may have said it already, but I will say it again, thank God for cheerios.