The last two days have been a whirlwind! Here she is - Ermei Nina Marques! she is full of life, has a tremendous personality and Pablo calls her the "Storm"! The meeting was very strange - we had to go to a hotel where the notary for Adoptions has and office. We thought there was going to be this process for her to be delivered but when we walked in there were all these people, some meeting children, some with Children, and then a tone of activity and this lady just thrusts her at us and says her name so we know who she is. She knew us, was terribly scared as were we... but she took to the backpack immediately and started to look through it to see what was inside. After several minutes, she became pretty disinterest and only wanted to be with the Nanny. There were photos taken, a lot of paperwork to do, and then about 3 hours later, it was time for the Nannies to leave and then the crying and difficulty started. Here is the good news, it only lasted about 5 mins - we left to the van to come back to the hotel and she was great! Took control of the room from the start, immediately changed into some of the clothes we brought and was a happy camper. The rest of the day was pretty much the same - she is a very independent little girl, she can put on her clothes and shoes, she can do her jacket with no help and by day two, knows how to open the room with the key. She helps the other little girl traveling with us that a family is adopting from the same orphanage with her coat, her food, everything. She is bright and Pablo and I are totally in love with her.
Today we went to the City where she is from to apply for her Passport - after a 3 hour bus ride, 2 hours in the office - we went to the Orphanage where the romanticism of her being in a place with lovely kids and older people came to a screeching halt. This place was like an institution, every child has some kind of issue be it mental or physical. It broke my heart to see the babies and how they have to be strapped to the beds in order to keep them from getting hurt. To see children that obviously needed so much more care but in this place, a government run facility, they were getting the best they could. It's important to note that the two women we saw were wonderful - they were so happy to see the two girls back - took them right away, gave them hugs and kisses and were very helpful in helping us to see where the girls had grown to that point. Clearly the help and attention Ermei pays to other kids was something she had to learn and in my opinion, created great favor for her as a result. you could tell when we walked in, she had the run of the place. I was a little worried that when we needed to leave she'd not want to come, but not the case - she took our hands - said bye bye to the nannies, and we were off.
An emotional two days - a wonderful two days - we are the luckiest people on the planet. Thanks for checking and we'll post again as we can gain access. Best - Pablo, Christine & Ermei
