GOD IS GREAT!

Every fear has been cast aside. We awoke after a restless night of sleep to an e-mail from my dear friend Amy who is only weeks behind us in traveling to meet her own child in China. The verse she attached in her e-mail says it all:
"Look and be amazed. You will be astounded at what I am about to do. For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe."
Habakkuk 1:5
Today has exceeded our wildest expectations. As fearful as and isolated as we were feeling last night we awoke to spiritual nourishment. After reading our e-mails we met two other adoptive families at breakfast. We believe they are the first Christians we have met thus far. We have not been so bold to ask others but this is simply what we think to be the case. We felt so at peace on the way to the adoption center. We got to the third floor and only had to wait about 10 minutes before our precious son appeared through the elevator doors. At that precise moment every fear we have had through this entire process was layed to rest. The orphanage worker placed him in my arms and it was like he has always been there. There were no tears from Liam Xin but plenty from Steve and me both. We had heard that it is common for the children to attach to mom or dad but we felt strongly we wanted to attempt to have him to bond with both of us. It seems that he had the same plans. He gave us ready smiles rather quickly and went to both of us eagerly. He enjoyed his Gerber peach puffs and some watermelon but did not like his apple juice. We stayed at the office about an hour as we filled out some paperwork. We will return tomorrow morning to complete the adoption. (The rest of the time is completing his passport and visa) He was so happy to sit on our laps but was quite curious with every person who entered the room and every sound that he heard. No question about his hearing. Vicky spoke to him in Mandarin and it seems that he understands it rather well. In his video we had learned he knew some of his body parts. We had Vicky ask and he did the same precious thing he had done in his video. If you ask where his mouth his he smiles from ear to ear. We stopped at the grocery on the way back to the hotel to get formula, a yogurt drink he likes, rice cookies and bottled water. Upon returning to the hotel, we had to stop in the lobby with Vicky. A Chinese gentleman came up to Liam and was smiling and cooing at him but Liam wanted nothing to do with him. He turned his head into me and then focused on Steve. We are sure there is going to be plenty of grieving but for now we will take this as a good sign. Vicky has said that the Chinese women will want to squeeze his cheeks and try to hold him but we are not to let them as he has to learn we are mom and dad. It seems that perhaps Liam Xin has listened to the same attachment videos as us as he seems to have that same plan.
Upon returning to our room we changed his britches and just loved on him. We made him a bottle of water and another of his yogurt drink (which he preferred). He is used to taking all his liquids from a bottle and we are happy to feed him from a bottle. We then ordered him some room service of rice and pork soup. We were told to mix the soup with the rice as this is his main staple 3 x per day. He sat on Steve's lap and opened his mouth like a little bird waiting for every bite. He has a great appetite. We were told that he will stop eating when he was full but we wondered as he has a great appetite for such a little peanut. I wasn't sure so after a good portion I put the bowl down. He promptly leaned forward and reached for the bowl. He knows what he wants! When he was done he started to suck his thumb. After lunch his eyelids were getting droopy but we wanted him to sit up for a while longer. He sat on the floor with us and LOVED his stacking cups. That is an understatement but I am at a loss for another word. He is quite proud as he stacked them and showed his ear to ear grin as we applauded his effort.
I layed in bed with him and he promptly fell asleep (allowing blog entering)He was sucking his thumb and as he dozed it would fall out startling him and he would put it back in until he finally fell asleep.
Here are some things we have learned about him in this very short time:
1)He is quite the little peanut. Try 17.2 pounds instead of 25.2 pds
2)He knows where his ear and mouth are
3)He appears to understand mandarin (which helps us because that is what most people in China speak)
4)He knows his name. It is pronounced Sheen Sheen with a soft sh
5)He likes to look at books and loves to turn the pages
6)He likes to suck his right thumb
7)He uses both of his hands but prefers his right hand for stacking his cups
8)He has a ready smile thus far
9)He likes mom and dad equally thus far
10)He is very curious/inquisitive
11)He doesn't like food on his hands or face
12)He likes Gerber peach puffs, watermelon, rice with pork soup, and his yogurt drink
13)We are in love