Today we met the other members of our agency's group--three other families who are also adopting children from this province. They are all terrific people, and it was great to connect with them! We began the day by finalizing our adoptions in the civil affairs office, which is right across the street from our hotel. When I say right across the street, I should clarify that it's a six lane highway (and in China there are really no "lanes" anyway), so "crossing the street" was a bit of a hair-raising experience. There are no traffic lights, or stopping for pedestrians, so you just kind of have to hold your breath and go---YIKES! But we all made it, thanks to our wonderful guide, and Ellie is now officially mine! We then went to the public security office and to a notary to apply for Ellie's passport, which we will receive on Thursday. It was a long day of appointments, but Ellie did great! She is quickly learning that she prefers to sleep in mom's arms instead of her crib :-) THAT didn't take long!!