Our First Visit

This morning we visited Madeleine at the orphanage. There are two rooms of children. The first room contained all the babies (maybe 8). They were all very sweet. We held and played with the babies for a bit. Then the orphanage director came and brought Madeleine from the other room where all the older children are (6-7 kids). Her foster mom had dropped her off the afternoon before. The orphanage staff said Madeleine is such an easy kid. She didn't cry yesterday and slept fine last night. Here she is with the orphanage director.

Madeleine was nervous and clearly not happy. She didn't make eye contact with any of us for what seemed like a very long time. Finally, the orphanage director encouraged me to hold Madeleine. She clung to me and buried her head in my chest. For the next 2 hours, that's sort of what she was like. Everything must be so different for her since she was just yesterday in her foster family's home. I know from her reports that she loves them and they love her very much too. 

Tomorrow she is officially part of our family. We are supposed to go to the farewell party and then to the Giving and Receiving Ceremony.