GOTCHA DAY

This crip was waiting in the room for us when we arrived. I added my own touches....a blanket an doll.

Taylor as she walked into the Civil Affairs office and our first meeting.

What an amazing day this turned out to be. Far exceeded any expectations I could have imagined. We arrived the the Civil Affairs office at 4:00pm. There were 5 other families also their getting their daughters. Taylor was the last to arrive of all the kids. When she walked in she just stared at all the goings on around her. She held my hand and took the little bug blanket I handed her. As soon as she saw Kathy taking pictures she smiled. All the other kids by this time had started crying but not a tear out of Taylor. She held up her arms so I could pick her up to take her to the couch to sit. She just looked around at all that was going on around her and smiling at the camera. She look a little stuffed ladybug I gave her and was happy to have a toy in each hand. When I broke out the animal crackers a hand became free immediately to take it.

We then went to another room and had pictures taken for the paperwork that would follow during the week. The orphanage director brought the camera I had sent with some pictures on it. Will have to wait until I get home to get them developed. She also brought the photo album I sent and a bag of assorted foods for her.

She walked out of the Civil Affairs office and the building holding my hand. She didn't look back once. It didn't seem to phase her that she was leaving the people from the orphanage and going with complete strangers. She got in th van and sat perfectly for the short ride back to the hotel.

Once we got back to the hotel she walked into the room and started wandering around taking it all in. She let me take off her coat and overalls she had on leaving a long sleeve shirt and long underware with split bottoms and nothing underneath. I took off her socks and tickled the bottoms of her feet. A big smile broke out on her face and she started to laugh. She has the cutest laugh. She is all smiles and quick to laugh. She is amazing. Not a tear, lots of smiles and laughs. Within 15 minutes she was running around and playing with her blanket and ladybug. We stayed in for dinner which she ate like a champ sitting in the chair feeding herself. We had the best fried rice I have ever had.

After dinner, gave her a bath that she didn't like at all and cried the whole time. She wouldn't sit down in the tub, just stood there crying....broke my heart. She liked even less having her hair washed...glad Kathy was there to lend an extra set of hands. Afterward she got into her pj's without a fuss. She even let me brush her teeth. After looking through a book I put her in the crib that was in our room and she was out within 2 minutes.

Today was a dream come true. One I have waited for for so long. It was worth every second of the wait which now that I have her doesn't seem all that long. I am so incredibly lucky and blessed that this little girl is now my daughter.

Enjoy some of the pictures of this truely incredible day. (Sorry for the day delay posting....internet here is not good at all.)