It's Official!

Today we went out to Monterey Park for Skip's final adoption court hearing. Everything went great and he is now officially ours. The judge, the court reporter, and all the other miscellaneous people in the court room were overwhelmingly positive and kind and everyone raved about what a good and adorable baby Skip is (the seersucker suit was a hit!). They were so effusive in their praise that Tori and I both got teary-eyed (as you can see in my picture with the judge).

Our time in the court room was pretty brief. We swore under oath that we would love and care for Skip as our "natural" child and that we were aware of all the rights and responsibilities that came with that. And of course we have regarded Skip as our "natural" child since the day we brought him home from the hospital. We also had to agree to something about Skip being entitled to a future inheritance, but don't be counting on any big money, Skipper!

After our appointment we went out for some celebratory Sichuan food in San Gabriel and then tonight Aunt Susie, Jim, Hank and Steven came over for celebratory pizza. Although of course he has always been ours in our mind, it's a big relief to have the official paperwork completed.

We feel very lucky to have you, Skip!