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The reason for the trip arrived today. We had a good, restful night's sleep followed by a leisurely breakfast with the other Great Wall couple in Changsha. Then, at 10:45, we set off to meet our boy.

The Civil Affairs Office is a run down, nondescript building about 10 minutes from our hotel (plus or minus a few flattened pedestrians). We entered the building and were led to a clean, open room lined with wooden benches. There was another family already in the room playing with their new little boy. We were instructed to wait in the corner until the arrival of ours. The little 2 year old was being adopted by the other Great Wall family was already there. The couple quickly made introductions and began the process of winning the affections of their new child. We were told that Cainan was still on the way. In about 5 more minutes, he came in the door in the arms of his nanny. After establishing that I was there for Chen Ji Tao, she handed him over. Cainan did not make a peep at the transfer. It was clear he did not know quite what to make of it all. There was a slight shake in his outstretched arms which were stiff and unmoving. But mostly, he just peered around and took in the sights while I held him. We stood him up at a table and got the stacking balls, Cheerios, Fish Crackers, and Little People out for him but he just continued to silently soak it in. While we were still breaking the ice, two more couples entered the room. In tow were two young Chinese girls. They came up to us and explained they were back to show their girls where they came from 9 years prior. The girls seemed a little apprehensive about being there but the parent's were eating it up. After a couple more photographs, both official and not, we loaded back in the van for the return to the hotel.

At the start for the ride back, Cainan continued his stoic lookout. Arms rigidly stuck out as if signaling a touchdown. But during the course of the ride, he did start the melt. After many attempts at getting him to take it, he finally decided that a Little Person was worth holding on to. At that same moment, he also decided they made really good projectile objects. That beget a game of fetch. He throws, we retrieve.

Once back in the room, I had a bunch of forms to fill out with our guide. This was when Cainan discovered the joy of Cheerios and Fish crackers. He chowed down. Next was bath time. the silent treatment continued but it seemed to go over quite well. We chased the Little People as they floated around the tub and made no notice of the water washing over his hair trickling into his eyes.

Lunchtime also went off without a hitch. The same old, same old of the Chinese formula was more for play than for meal but the Gerber baby food went down until the full light came on in his eyes. By this time, the shades were seemingly beginning to close over the retinas signalling need for nap time. This was proven to be the case, when after 5 minutes of hitting the mattress, it was nothing but ZZZZ's. Cainan gave us the first evidence that he is Jennifer's son as he loudly snored himself through slumberland.