Gotcha Day

Last night, Rebecca, our guide met us at the airport. We arrived in Guangzhou around 10 pm and checked in at the White Swan, a beautiful hotel. We went for a late night walk down what must be the Chinese lover's lane as couples were sitting on the benches by the river holding hands.

This morning we had a leisurely morning as we awaited our 2:30 appointment to meet AnGrace. Rebecca came at 1:30 pm and helped us get some paperwork in order and then we headed to meet AnGrace.

The moment was nothing like we expected. We arrived at the office and we were the only people there in a large waiting room filled with pictures of adopted children. We sat down on the couch and Rebecca handed them our paperwork. While we were sitting on the couch we saw two ladies walking in the door with a little girl dressed in a pink corduroy coat with a white fuzzy collar and Minnie Mouse on the left chest. There was AnGrace literally just out of the car. They walked towards us and I fumbled for the camera and took the world's worst video. Oh, well. I did get a good picture of Debbi holding her. I wish we could post it but you will have to wait until we get back home.

AnGrace did not do very well on the 5 hour ride to Guangzhou. She threw up 4 or 5 times and felt very poorly. She also had not napped and was very tired.

Debbi held her first and gave her a great big kiss. I then held her and she rested her head on my shoulder and tears ran down my cheeks. The culmination of two years of planning had come to fruition. Of course, it is only just the beginning of the great adventure with AnGrace.

We had a long time to sit with the nannies and ask all sorts of questions. We asked what made her mad and the nannies said strangers. She always cries and screams with strangers. They were amazed she was not screaming when she met us. In fact she was in my lap and I was playing with her and tickling her. She would tilt her head down and look away trying to keep me from seeing her smile. She then began to giggle and we both laughed. Since then she has been a little more reserved but we did see a smile and a laugh.

We returned to the apartment and made a bottle for her of rice cereal and formula. In the orphanage she ate 7 times a day. She was with the little babies as well so when ever they had a bottle she wanted a bottle and would cry for them. We will be cutting back on meals. AnGrace and I played on the bed as Debbi filled out more paperwork for tomorrow.

She is beautiful. Dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a light complexion. She makes the cutest face, pursing her lips to the side.

Debbi fed her a bottle and she stared into Debbi's eyes making wonderful eye contact. She is now sleeping and snoring a little (much like Brooke did when she was a baby). I have slipped out of the room to post this blog to share the event with you.

We prayed that God would prepare her heart for us and us for her. I know it is too early to really tell how she will do but the hand off from the nannies to us was more than we could of asked for or imagined. We had extended time with the nannies and she seemed to know we were not strangers.

Tomorrow we go to the police station and to a notary to fill out more paper work. We will have a couple of more appointments through out the week but most of the time we will be able to take walks with AnGrace or explore the huge hotel. There is a waterfall in the hotel and a play room for kids.

On a different note - thanks for the comments everyone has been leaving. They have been fun to read.