Monday, April 18, 2011
GOTCHA DAY !

Well here he is FINALLY! The day we have been waiting for a long time. He was sooo worth the wait! We are the luckiest family in the world to be able to do this again. Every adopt is unique is its own way.

Our day went like this... I was up at 2:00am...jet lag and to excited about GOTCHA DAY! We met in the hotel lobby at 9:50am for a 5 minute van ride to the Civil Affairs Office in Xi'an. When we got there we went into the building and met Jessica the local tour guide and rode the elevator to the international adoption office. We walked in and there was Elliott with the official from the orphanage sitting on a sofa. I grabbed for the camera and the tears just started He is so handsome, well nourished and healthy looking. The orphanage official handed Elliott to me he did not cry and looked me straight in the eyes. I handed him a toy I brought along, he put it in his mouth and has been drooling, working his new teeth and throwing the toy on the floor for us to pick up. He was in three layers of clothes that we sent him at Christmas time. We stayed at the Civil Affairs Office for about one hour, I completed guardianship papers to keep him overnight, tomorrow we are headed back to the civil affairs office to complete the adoption paper work. The orphanage gave me the 2 disposable cameras I sent at Christmas, a toy, a photo book with pictures of Elliott from the orphanage officials, and a very special present with dirt/soil from the orphanage grounds.

I was able to ask the orphanage officials any questions to learn about Elliott. They describe his personality as quiet, easy baby, likes to play with toys and other children. He is healthy, likes to drink his formula and eat rice crackers. He is healthy, big belly and does not have a cold. He can hear. He does not walk on his own, but holds onto things. His nickname at the orphanage is YoYo. He understands what orphanage staff say to him. He does not speak any baby Chinese words.

We then headed to get a photographer to have photos taken for the passport and official documents, and to get the disposable cameras developed from the orphanage. We then went to the local store for water, diet soda, baby bottle, baby formula, Elliott favorite rice crackers and baby food. On our way back to the hotel he fell asleep in my arms, I carried him in and placed him in the crib he as been sleeping since. He is PERFECT! It was love at first sight. I can hardly wait to check him out.

Thank you again for all your love and support and thank you also for all your emails in the guest book. We are reading them every day and enjoying them! We just don't have the time to get back to you individually, but certainly appreciate you.

Love you all,

Love, Dean, Lisa, Ethan, Emily, Evelyn and Elliott
XXX000