Smiles on adoption day

Today, Ren officially became ours and we became his. We spent the morning doing the necessary paperwork and then visiting the market with Becky, Carolyn, Marvin and Jaida to get some groceries and other items. Here's Claire at the adoption centre giving Ren a big hug.

Most of the morning, Ren had shown little emotion - in continuation of yesterday's mode. But suddenly at the market, he started smiling in response to Becky's attention and immediately, he was smiling in response to Paul and me too. He hasn't stopped smiling since. Also at the market (shortly after the smiles began), Ren repeated the word "Mama" and patted me as I had just done. A short while later, he also repeated Baba and Jie-Jie. He said the words a fair bit throughout the day but the only name he is saying spontaneously (not merely repeating after us) is Jie-Jie. He's quite taken with her, and they had a lot of fun together today racing in the halls, playing hide and seek / peekaboo and playing with toys.

We've had a good time today getting to know Ren a bit more. He's a gentle giant, I think, except for an odd habit of occasionally hitting things (and me!) with wild exuberance. I think it's out of excitement, though, as opposed to intending harm, because he hit my arm - with a huge smile on his face - immediately after blowing me a kiss in response to one I'd blown him. But we shall see!

Claire did really well again but by the end of the day, sibling annoyance had set in. We heard a lot of "He touched me!" and the like from her, even if Ren had merely brushed her as he walked past or reached for a book. This will definitely be an adjustment for her, but I already see how much she enjoys having Ren as a sibling.

Well, everybody is fast sleep here and I should be too. In closing, I want to wish my sister Stephanie a very happy birthday today! I hope you are having a great time in Vancouver with Geoff and Marlene!