20 Peruvian Pounds of fun, love, and "I want what I want!"

Ali

To Sea Level (in Lima) from 11,500 feet (in Cusco)

This week we finished all the necessary paperwork to leave Cusco for the second leg of our Peruvian adoption journey in Lima. The transition, at least in terms of weather, has been significant. This time of year is the rainy season in Cusco. It literally rained for hours every day we were there.
Here in Lima, it's sunny and tropical (in the 70s and 80s every day). With the excellent guidance of Marisa, our social worker here, we obtained Ali's Peruvian passport. Now we are pressing on to get her visa to travel to the U.S.

Today was Ali's first ever visit to a beach!

"Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You"

Our first week together with Alejandra is drawing to a close and we've greatly enjoyed the experience so far. The first three days we visited with her in her orphanage, giving her a chance to get to know us in her environment. We would play with her for a few hours and then return to our hotel. In the process, we learned about her routines and her personality. Last Wednesday night, Feb. 8th, the orphanage held a "going away" party for Alejandra (pictures below). Tim and Ben had a great time dancing and playing with the toddlers.

The following day, Thursday Feb. 9th, we picked her up from the orphanage as a family of 4, put her in new clothes (leaving her old ones with her caregivers), and walked away a family of 5. It was surreal. We went for a walk around town:
This past Sunday we took her to our favorite church in town that we used to go to when we lived here in 2008-09. The Catholic priest, "Father Freddy," was still there and as engaging as ever. Alejandra sat through the entire service peacefully, which did not go unnoticed by Tim and Ben. We had lunch afterwards at the local bakery (below) where Tim did so much home-schooling with Jen three years ago (at Table #7).

Thanks to everyone who has sent us such kind, supportive and encouraging emails and FB posts in connection to our adoption of Alejandra. We can't wait to bring her home to Richmond and, in due course, introduce her to all of you!