Monday, May 26,
2014
GOTCHA DAY!
We rode in a van from the hotel to the Civil Affairs Office.
When we walked inside, there were a few other families and
babies already getting to know one another. I was following our
guide and did not see Zhu Ting Ye. Everyone else in the family
noticed her right away. She was just inside the door to the left
and I had walked right past her. We went over to the back wall
and the orphanage assistant director brought her over and handed
her to me. Ting Ye was very calm and had great eye contact as
she was reaching up to my face. I teared up a little, but mostly
we were all smiles as we all took turns holding her and looking
her over. We couldn't believe how well dressed she was, even a
little pair of pink Chanel sandals. We also couldn't believe how
big she was! It looks like the 12 month clothes that I brought
might be too small.
The orphanage sent a little Hello Kitty backpack with her,
filled with her things. They gave us a can of her formula, rice
cereal, a bottle with a hole cut out of the nipple, a couple
outfits that we had sent her and a melon-colored jacket that was
new to us, 1 of the disposable cameras that I had sent, some
wipes, and a flash drive with pictures (which we have not looked
at yet). Min, our agency representative, translated our
questions to the orphanage AD. Her nickname is Yetz or Yetzu,
derived from her middle name. She cannot walk yet. She only eats
formula with rice cereal, no solids yet.
After the question/answer session, we had to have our pictures
taken and we signed the Legal Guardianship for 24 hours paper.
Then we headed to the grocery store for diapers, more
formula/rice cereal, bottled water, and swim caps and then back
to the hotel. Yetz was very excited all day and did not take her
usual nap. She ate her formula so-so (infant style - she does
not hold the bottle herself). She has had a couple diaper
changes. She really enjoyed playing on the bed with Whitney.
We left her original outfit on as long as possible because she
had already had enough major life changes for one day. She needs
a bath, but we are going to wait on that as well. Her usual
bedtime is 7:30pm, but she would not wind down until 10p. Her
new family was all fun and games to her until she realized it
was bedtime. It was then that she fell apart, probably missing
the orphanage. She cried for 3 hours straight. I held her and
tried to calm her the best I could, but nothing I did seemed to
calm her. She awoke at 3am again, but this time was only a
little cry, comforted by a blanket tuck and my hand on her. We
know God has a plan for her life and she was made for a purpose,
He will help us help her get through her rough times. We love
her so much!!!
P.S. Happy Birthday to our nephew, Brady Jay! We love you! |
First moments with MaMa
Meeting BaBa
Meeting JieJie
Chloe and GeGe |
