Congratulations Madame, you are legally a mother

So yes, it is offical, Ritesh and I are mother and son.  Powerful, but not yet fully felt.  Yesterday was a long exhausting day for us both.  I think today will be a day for more play and bonding.

We arrived at the orphanage at 9:30 am for tea, gathering final paperwork and saying good -bye to Ritesh's caregivers (didis - sisters) and the other children.  The older children were eating when we left but all shouted good-bye Raja (that is his nickname) and good-bye sister.  Then for the long day at the Ministry of
Women, Children and Social Welfare for the adoption and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apply for his passport.  That was a long wait... holding him in the shade and then in line.  Let me tell you my arms are aching today.  Mommy knew she was ill prepared for holding an 18 pound weight all day.  Did not have time for weigh lifting before I came.  Well, it is totally worth it.

We arrived at a new hotel; Hotel Tibet, which is beautifully decorated in traditional Tibetan decor and images.  Very familar and comforting to me.  Bill had be so kind to move all of my luggage while we were out all day... and with the power out, no elevator, so luggled it up 5 flights of stairs.  Ritesh was pretty quiet most of the day, amazingly peaceful and curious to watch everything.  But let me tell you, he would not let me put him down for anything.  Not even on the bed to play with one of his toys.  Clinging on, insisting to never be out of my arms.  Only time he cried was when I changed his diapers.  That he did not like.  He is calling me didi only when he wants me to pick him up. 
Didi is fine with me for now!

He went to sleep at 8:30 pm and slept like a rock.  Woke at  2 am and want to sleep on top of me.  When he fell back to sleep I was able to put him back down.  Yes, he needs a lot of comfort with all of these changes, everything so strange.  But he seems to be very comfortable with me.  And he is so peaceful when I am holding him.  Right now as I type at an internet cafe, he is in the Ergobaby on my lap, so happy to watch the different people talking.  I doubt this will be possible for long since this morning he was starting to be more interested in playing with and run to get the ball in the hotel room.  He is an incredibly agile, meticulous child... loves to take things apart and line them up in a row.  Take toys in and out of their container.  He doesn't like when food drops on his clothes.  He will pick up a single grain of rice off of his shirt and put it back in his mouth or on the plate.  Such a smart detail-oriented little guy.

As for mommy, she really didn't sleep at all last night.  Very aware of sounds outside, his sleep, breathing, movements.  I guess it is normal.  I hope I can sleep tonight.

Well, I have not had time to just breath in and say, I am a mother.  I think in many ways yestereday I felt overwhelmed by the sudden change and my concern for his wellbeing.  I think the next few days will be wonderful as he comes out of himself more and feels more at ease.  Then, I may be longing for his original willingness to just sit on my lap and hold onto me.

Sending our best from Kathmandu!