Right now, it is going on 7 am in Guangzhou China. John and Thomas are asleep in the bed still. We have to get up soon to meet mom and Grama at breakfast before meeting our guide Helen at 9 for paperwork, pictures etc.
Yesterday, was, in adoption speak, Gotcha Day. A very emotional day. Both John and I were getting cold feet before meeting Helen at 2 yesterday afternoon. The day started with a slow morning, then going to breakfast at the hotel buffet. I then needed to go to the bank to change my US dollars into Chinese yuan. That was a two hour wait. The bank had been closed the day before for the Chinese Moon Festival, celebrating autumn. We were given numbers to wait our turn. Well, more on that adventure later. I will have to back track when I have more time. Later we tried to find Carrefours, a large grocery store that is supposed to be nearby to buy gifts for the orphanage. We didn't find it but at least I had brought several bags of Jelly Bellies and it turned out that was just fine as a gift.
We met Helen at 2 pm, Grama decided to stay at the hotel. I will have to write about the city of Guangzhou later also. We arrived at the adoption center and waited on some benches. Four other families arrived soon after and Helen said that was a small number, because there are usually 20 families picking up children. Helen took some of our paperwork to the adoption people. All the children were secluded in a room behind a curtain. Two young women from Thomas' orphanage brought him out and placed him in my arms. Thomas seemed bewildered. He was very quiet. I got out some fruit gummies and he was hesitant at first but then he ate them all. We got to ask the ladies from the orphanage some questions and they said that Thomas had never been in foster care, and was a favorite boy at the orphanage. He is very well behaved and understands Mandarin. One of his crib mates was also being adopted at the same time by a family from Finland. We got a picture with them and their contact information. While Helen and I filled out some paperwork for the next day. Mom and John fed Thomas some goldfish which he ate up and then they gave him some M&Ms and when they tried to take them away he promptly sat on his behind and wouldn't give them back. He knows what he wants. The orphanage ladies said that he likes candy. Then we headed back to the hotel with a quick stop at Carrefours to buy some diapers, and formula. The orphanage ladies gave us a schedule of when he eats, and sleeps. He is still fed formula and rice cereal, but clearly he can eat anything. They also said that his palate had been repaired, I will have to see to what extent when I take him to the doctor. He doesn't appear to have any fistulas between his palate and his nasal cavity because he didn't have any food come out of his nose.
Anyway, once Thomas was placed in my arms, it was a very joyous moment for me.
Yesterday, was, in adoption speak, Gotcha Day. A very emotional day. Both John and I were getting cold feet before meeting Helen at 2 yesterday afternoon. The day started with a slow morning, then going to breakfast at the hotel buffet. I then needed to go to the bank to change my US dollars into Chinese yuan. That was a two hour wait. The bank had been closed the day before for the Chinese Moon Festival, celebrating autumn. We were given numbers to wait our turn. Well, more on that adventure later. I will have to back track when I have more time. Later we tried to find Carrefours, a large grocery store that is supposed to be nearby to buy gifts for the orphanage. We didn't find it but at least I had brought several bags of Jelly Bellies and it turned out that was just fine as a gift.
We met Helen at 2 pm, Grama decided to stay at the hotel. I will have to write about the city of Guangzhou later also. We arrived at the adoption center and waited on some benches. Four other families arrived soon after and Helen said that was a small number, because there are usually 20 families picking up children. Helen took some of our paperwork to the adoption people. All the children were secluded in a room behind a curtain. Two young women from Thomas' orphanage brought him out and placed him in my arms. Thomas seemed bewildered. He was very quiet. I got out some fruit gummies and he was hesitant at first but then he ate them all. We got to ask the ladies from the orphanage some questions and they said that Thomas had never been in foster care, and was a favorite boy at the orphanage. He is very well behaved and understands Mandarin. One of his crib mates was also being adopted at the same time by a family from Finland. We got a picture with them and their contact information. While Helen and I filled out some paperwork for the next day. Mom and John fed Thomas some goldfish which he ate up and then they gave him some M&Ms and when they tried to take them away he promptly sat on his behind and wouldn't give them back. He knows what he wants. The orphanage ladies said that he likes candy. Then we headed back to the hotel with a quick stop at Carrefours to buy some diapers, and formula. The orphanage ladies gave us a schedule of when he eats, and sleeps. He is still fed formula and rice cereal, but clearly he can eat anything. They also said that his palate had been repaired, I will have to see to what extent when I take him to the doctor. He doesn't appear to have any fistulas between his palate and his nasal cavity because he didn't have any food come out of his nose.
Anyway, once Thomas was placed in my arms, it was a very joyous moment for me.
Okay, so lately my comments seem to disappear in cyber space. So, again (although it won't be nearly as mushy as I'm not sitting here bawling any longer). I'm SO happy for you, John and Thomas. I cannot begin to express the incredible presence of joy that I am feeling for all of you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations just seems so inadequate. I cannot wait to meet Thomas. Gabriel and Rebeka are excited as well. Gabe asked when we get to meet him.
I don't know, but there's a song Gabe likes to seem that seems so appropriate - "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart!
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay."
Amazing! I am so happy for you, John, and of course Thomas.
ReplyDelete