We're officially new parents....

Wow...where to start. It's almost 8 pm here and Jay-R is still wired! Here's our journey today...

Our social worker met us here at 12:15. We rode the 20-30 minute ride in crazy Manila traffic to the orphanage. When we arrived, Jay-R was still sleeping, so we had time to talk to his social worker from the orphanage about his routine, likes, etc. Another couple from the Netherlands arrived to meet their son as well. Jay-R appeared about 20 minutes after our arrival. He came right to me. He was quiet but not hestitant at all. His photo album we had made for him was clutched in his hand. He soon went to Kory and then Ashleigh as well. We took time walking around the grounds with him, playing cars, and meeting his friends. We received a tour of the orphanage, too. He hung tight to me and loved being carried. He is just so absolutely sweet. They said he loves to be cuddled and hugged and it is apparent. We had a Mass and Turnover ceremony. Ashleigh taped it for us. Jay-R's close friend served as the altar boy. The orphanage treated us and the other family to spaghetti (his favorite food), sweet bread, and mini hotdogs. The spaghetti is sweeter than ours but very good. They had given us a lifebook at the ceremony and before leaving, we received a SpiderMan backpack filled with clothing and other small items. They also gave him a Sponge Bob gift bag with goodies in it for him. We hugged the social workers and told everyone bye before leaving. The ride back was during rush hour traffic-people were everywhere-at the market, leaving school, crazy! He was very excited to get to the hotel. We told our social worker bye and went upstairs. Kory showed him the view from the window and he saw the swimming pool. We had to go swimming. Although it is warm here, the breeze had picked up so we swam only briefly, until he was shivering. We came upstairs and had snacks. He has said some cute things:
"I know English." "Tom and Jerry" (the cartoon is on) "I love Mommy" "I love Daddy" "I love Ate" (ate is the filipino word for big sister)
He called the Manila Bay a swimming pool which cracked us up. His English is here and there. He speaks primarily in tagalog but seems to understand English.
We have noticed food hoarding. He stores things under the pillow. Under Kory's pillow, he stashed 3 packs of cookies, 2 apples, and an orange. The orphanage staff told us he often put things under his pillow. Kory was just hoping his soggy mango didn't end up under the pillow! He is a fruit boy! The hotel provides fresh fruit daily in our room. So far, Jay-R has eaten 2 bananas, 1 mango, and 1 apple since we've been back!
Well, we need to work on getting him to bed. Tomorrow is a free day to bond and have fun with our little man! God is good!