Gotcha Day!

Tony's Perspective

Woke up early again. Went to breakfast at 6 am. We got checked out by 6:30 and Penny was waiting by the door. Another exiting van ride to the airport for our 9:00 flight to Guangzhou. Pretty uneventful flight. Landed at noon. Found our bags. Met Joyce from Lotus for our ride to the hotel. Got settle and prepared the gifts for the orphanage. Tried to find some lunch. No luck. No time. Met Phoebe and Catherine. Talked for a bit, handed off some paperwork. Phoebe said the driver was here and Beibei should be close to getting to the Ministry of Civil Affairs where the handoff would take place. When we got there Phoebe said to have a seat and get cameras ready. We were watching the other families from other agencies starting to bond with their new children. Phoebe pops back in and asks for the video camera. They were bringing Beibei to us NOW! We both lost it. The caregiver gave Beibei to Sue and I came in close. Beibei just sat and stared as us both. Sue handed her off to me and started paperwork and interviewing the caregiver about Beibei's schedule. After about 10 minutes (who knows how much time went by? I probably couldn't tell you my name at this point) Beibei finally took the plastic keys I had been rattling in front of her and stared at them then started playing with them and shaking them. I let Sue take her back while I filled out some more paperwork. We took a couple more photos and headed out to the van. Beibei fell asleep in Sue's arm on the ride back and up to the room on the 11th floor. We tried to put her in the crib and she woke up. She was content on my lap when things got warm. Beibei was wet, Tony was wet. Sue's first diaper change. We decided to try some clothes. 18 mo? Forget it. 12 mo? Too big also. Off we go to the store. We got 2 outfits, 2 pair shoes and a hat for about $22. We stopped at Lucy's Bar & Grille for some congee. Don't know what is in it but Beibei likes it! Haven't got her to take the bottle yet but we are trying.

Sue's Perspective

We got up early again today. I actually woke up around 3 am and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up and took my shower and got pretty much everything in the suitcases before we went down for a quick breakfast. We came back up and brushed our teeth and took all our stuff down and checked out. Penny was there ready to take us to the airport. Dan & Brian got there and we were off.

Traffic was better today because it was early. Penny went into the terminal with us to help us get checked in. Then she went as far as security and told us goodbye. She told us that we're the first couple she's wanted to adopt her! She's so sweet!

We got through security with no problems and found our gate. We had to wait an hour till boarding. When boarding started we all got on a bus and they took us out to the plane which was sitting on the tarmac. The plane was full! Mostly Chinese, of course. The flight was 3 hours and we were able to sleep a bit. The coolest thing about this plane was we were able to see our take-off and landing from the nose via a camera.

We arrived in Guangzhou right on time at noon, found our bags and then found Joyce with Lotus. She got us to the hotel and told us we needed to go to the Holt office on the 4th floor by 2:30. We got our gifts ready and cameras and a bag for Beibei with diapers, water, and a couple of toys.

Right before 3 pm, Phoebe with Holt took us to the van that would take us to the Ministry of Civil Affairs where we would meet our daughter! Phoebe said she would operate the camera.

We got there about 20 minutes later and went up to the 8th floor. Other families were meeting with their children. One girl probably 5 years old or so was NOT happy to leave the people she's known.

Phoebe told us to sit down and get the video camera ready. She went down the hall for a bit and came running out and said "Give me the camera!" She recorded them bringing Beibei down the hall and told us to come to the center of the room. They handed her to me and, of course, I was crying! Tony was crying. Beibei didn't know what to think about the whole situation! She was just looking from person to person. She's really little and tiny. She was really warm -- but the Chinese keep their children wrapped tightly.

Soon after that, Phoebe said we should go sit down again and I can ask my questions. Tony held Beibei while Phoebe recorded the question and answer session and translated. The whole time Beibei looked like she was on the verge of tears but didn't actually cry. We gave the gifts to the orphanage and then Phoebe had us sign more paperwork. I have no idea at this point how long we were there -- maybe an hour? -- but finally it was time to leave. Tony carried Beibei to the van and later gave her to me. The traffic was terrible and the drive took a while and she fell asleep in my arms. We got back to the hotel and put her in the crib and she woke up.

Eventually she started to cry as she realized what was probably happening. She wants to be held. If we put her on the floor just a few feet from us, she cries and won't come to us yet. We pick her up and she stops crying. She won't take a bottle yet at all.

Tony had her on his lap and felt warmth. Hmmmm.... He had to change his clothes, I had to change her diaper and wash her pants. We tried drying them with the hair dryer but it took too long. This is when we realized that the 12-month sized clothes we brought were too big! So the 18-month sizes and all the clothes we have at home are too big! She'll grow into them but we need something NOW! So we found some capris that would work and we went out to Subway and then found a store with small sizes. The pjs that came with her are 6-month size and they fit perfectly! We got a couple of outfits, 2 pairs of shoes and a cute hat (since her hair is still so short). We stopped at a restaurant and got some congee which Phoebe told us to try for her.

We got back to the room and boy, did she like the congee! She kept kicking and leaning forward for more. Still won't take a bottle yet, though.

About 9:30 Tony decided it was time for bed. He cradled her and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep. He put her in the crib and she stayed asleep!

We've all had a BIG day. Time for bed!

We have to meet Phoebe at 8:45 am tomorrow to go start the paperwork process.