The day started with a thunderstorm and an early rise. Libby woke at 6am - a little earlier than expected because she didn't go to sleep until 9 last night.

Almost all the adopting families took taxis to Shamian Island where shopping is the highlight. It was overwhelming honestly. You stand there thinking - this is my one chance to purchase anything my daughter may appreciate one day from her homeland. And then you're thinking about gifts to get and what you might want for yourself and the big question - how is this all going to fit in my luggage!!!

We ended up purchasing a chop for Libby (this is a stamp with her name carved into it. You have to see it. It's very interesting.) We purchased a silk robe for my mom, a silk blouse for myself and a beautiful comb and jade handle mirror for Libby. We purchased some other items as well, but you can only carry so much when you're holding a baby, diaper bag, stroller and umbrella.

Libby has pretty much skipped all her naps so we played dress up and put her in one of her Chinese outfits. Very cute!  She's sleeping right now totally off schedule. Hopefully that won't keep her from sleeping tonight. We'll see.

After talking with a friend I realized that I have listed our days activities and highlights, but I've shared little about what we're thinking of it all and how we're feeling. I guess there just aren't words. You're handed this darling baby and you jump right in to parenthood and the next thing you know you are melting into joyful tears at the simplest moment. For example, Libby started crawling a lot more today. I was working on the computer as she crawled around the room. Next thing I know she's at my feet patting my leg letting me know she wants my attention. It was so sweet how she looked at me. So, just know this - we are happy, overjoyed, and enjoying every minute of this. We had one afternoon where we were tired and realizing this is a 24 hour job and from then on we've accepted that fact with joy. And now, it doesn't seem like a job - it seems like a purpose. I sense this bigger purpose than I've ever known before.

Okay - enough mushy talk. Let's look at pictures!!