Repost from 3 years ago today. Alyssa's Family Day

I am going to try this again....I just posted a long and detailed description about our day and I lost it just as I hit send............................ Today was just perfect. We met the group in the lobby in the hotel in Beijing to start our way to the airport. Our destination was CHONGQING, the birth city of my newest angel. We were seated in the very last row of the plane and it was SMALL!! It was a bumpy ride, but we made it there safely! We had paperwork to do at the hotel in preparation for the adoption. Holt has been so incredibly organized!! They are so attentive and I have been quite happy. Phoebe and Helena work for Holt and we have a local guide as well, Mary from Chongqing. They will stay with us the entire time we are here in Chongqing and help us with the paperwork and take us on tours as scheduled and/or requested. Tomorrow we are going to a department store to buy some baby supplies, etc. The other 11 families and I met Phoebe, Helena, and Mary in the lobby at 3:30. We made the 20 minute bus ride to the Civil Affairs Office where we met the babies and finalized the adoption. When we arrived on the 4th floor, the babies were already there!! I scanned the room and couldn't seem to find Alyssa. I suddenly realized that my Mom and Lauren must have as they were taking video and pictures of a little baby being held by one of the caretakers. It was Xui Ge!!! They called the babies Chinese Name out and then the Family name one by one. Alyssa was one of the last babies called. She was so calm, just looking at us intently. Emily held my hand as we received Alyssa for the very first time. We went over to a quieter area of the room and sat on the floor to acquaint our new family. Alyssa just stared at us so intently, never taking hr eyes off of Emily or I. She just looked back and forth at us. Emily offered her a toy that she had picked out when we were home and spoke to her softly. Seeing my two girls together, in my lap, sent me over and I lost it. I tried to quickly regain my composure as I didn't want to upset either Alyssa or Emily!! By the time we left the Civil Affairs office, Alyssa was smiling her and there. Her care taker would come over from time to time and speak to her in Chinese. Alyssa really responded to her nicely and smiled a lot. By the time we got back to the hotel (within about 2 hours) she was smiling, laughing, imitating Emily banging the bed, and rolling all over the bed!! She seems to be very active, but happy and smiley. Emily has been awesome!!! I was so worried about how she would react. She just couldn't give Alyssa enough kisses. Alyssa drank a bottle and I layed her in the crib. She rolled on to her side, began to suck her thumb and was asleep in less than 5 minutes. Emily took a little bit to settle down, but she is also sleeping. Let's all pray that they sleep through the night. Emily's sleep is all screwed up and she is napping a couple of times during the day and up late and awake early.......that equals one tired Mama!! My Mom and Lauren are just the best. Between the two of them we have about 75 photos of when we got Alyssa. They are great about helping in any way I need them to and so supportive. Just the type of people you need on this trip. I am thinking about so many of you and wish you could all be here with us. I can't wait for you to meet my new little sunshine!!! With love, Michele