Big Little Man

Today we met Quinn LuoHao! He seems like a pretty cool dude so far.

Emotions were running pretty high at the Civil Affairs Office today, almost more so for Calliope than for Quinn, really. She swung back and forth between being excited about being a big sister, to being entirely freaked out by the fact that he was crying so hard. Now that has all passed, she is doing much better and is being really helpful.

We found out that his nickname is 'Little Mouse' (pronounced like 'Hao-zer), and that his Chinese name means 'Luo = the name of the police station where he was found' and 'Hao = great or big man'.

They told us he is a good eater and a good sleeper, and we have found both things to be true already. He fell asleep on me while I was signing paperwork, and I carried him almost comatose to the van after we were through with the appointment. And then at the hotel, he ate three bowls of congee and rice. He's a substantial boy! Not a bit like Miss Calliope, who has never eaten or weighed more than a bird.

After a period of grieving and tears, he is now in a state of shell shock. He quietly watches us all . . . and especially watches everything that Calliope does. He did, however, warm up enough to play with the stacking cups while we took turns holding them for him, which is a vast improvement over how non-responsive he was when we first came back to the hotel. He is very, very, strong! The nanny told us that as well, and we noticed it right away. He is also completely healthy, and they said he has never had any surgeries or hospitalizations at all.

The shoes we brought for him are way too small . . . I'm betting much of the clothes are, too. We have not seen him smile yet, but we finally have proof that he can. The nannies gave us a small album of pictures, and he is smiling in two of them! Super cute.

Not entirely certain how we are going to work out the sleeping arrangements . . . I noticed when he was sleeping in my arms that, just like his baba and jie jie, he's yet another snorer. *sigh* I knew I should have brought ear plugs . . .

Thanks for all of the prayers and encouragement, folks! We really appreciate it. Tomorrow, we return to the Civil Affairs office to finalize the adoption. :)

-starla