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Trip to China
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
GOTCHA DAY!


Today was the day! We spent the afternoon staring at the clock, waiting for 4:00 to come. Amazing how when you want the day to pass, it just doesn't! Finally the time arrived and thank goodness Tori was here because I was a nervous wreck. When Molly, our guide, called our room to let us know she was waiting in the lobby, my mind went totally blank! Thankfully the bags were already packed or I am sure I would have forgotten something essential.

On the drive to the hotel where we were to receive Jude, I was able to meet the other family who is in our group here in Fuzhou. We spent the 1/2 hour van ride nervously chatting about our new children and getting to know each other. And anyone who knows me knows that I can CHAT when I am nervous ;) When we arrived at the hotel there were quite a few other families there, already in the process of meeting their babies. Such chaos!! Soon we realized that Jude was already there, he was just in another room with his nanny. Pure delight in finally being able to see him and pure torture in not being able to run up and squeeze him! I could tell by watching him interact with his nanny how much they love each other. He seemed very content with her, even amidst all the crying and craziness. When it was time for his passport picture to be taken, the nanny had to hold him away from her, so that only he would be in the picture. Oh, how he cried as he leaned toward her with his arms out! It just broke my heart, knowing soon it would be ME that would be taking him away from his beloved nanny. I could tell the nanny was getting very upset also, as the paperwork hoops I was having to jump through just seemed to keep coming and coming. Finally, with no official 'okay' yet, she just handed him to me and walked out of the room, distraught. Jude started wailing and there was nothing I could do but hold him and do my best to comfort him. After 1/2 hour or so, he settled down with the help of a rice cracker. He didn't really want to eat it, he just wanted to hold it. Two hours after we walked into the hotel, we walked out, with a new son and brother. He is so beautiful, I just can't put it into words. He is bout the size I expected, around 20 pounds. Very alert and curious, but slow to smile. In fact, the entire time I witnessed him playing with his nanny, he didn't crack a smile. He has beautiful round eyes and the cutest, puffiest lips ever!

Once we arrived back at the hotel, I sat him in the middle of the bed. His lip started to quiver and he leaned forward and I happily scooped him up. We broke out some of the many toys I brought along and his favorite were the $1 balls I bought this morning at WalMart. There are three and he tried and tried to figure out a way to hold all three at the same time! After a bit I was able to change his diaper and get some clean jammies on him, his gotcha day clothes were covered in sweat. I tried to feed him a bottle but he refused, I could tell it was not the bottle he didn't want, it was the person holding the bottle :) I decided to change my tactics and offered him a box of milk. After refusing a few times (in a not- very- convincing manner) he decided to indulge and ended up drinking two 6 oz. containers. We began playing a game where he coughed after taking a sip, then I would imitate him. Soon we were starting to see the beginnings of a smile! He has the most adorable smile, and an even cuter laugh! Needless to say, Tori and I are both totally in love!!

It was an amazing day, one that, for Jude's sake, I am glad to have over. I have worried about him for so long, and how he would handle the sadness of the day. While I am sure he will be grieving for awhile, I am just grateful that as his new mama, I have the chance to finally hold him, love him and comfort him.

Please continue to pray for us, especially for sweet Jude's transition. He is being such a brave boy, and I know that inside his little heart is breaking. I am so grateful that God is such a loving and perfect Father, and that He has entrusted this precious child to our family. I will certainly do my best to be up to the task!

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO CLIP OF JUDE LAUGHING!

First glimpse of Jude!


How cute is that!?!


Not too interested in getting a new mama


So sad


Recovering from a very long day


Gotcha day clothes


"I think I like this milk!"


Wiping his OWN face, thank you!


Wonderful WalMart ball


A SMILE!!


Jude and his jiejie


Happy Father's Day, Baba!! Wish you were here!


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