Finally have a sleeping baby and have some time to post some more details! Yesterday we got picked up at 2:40 and arrived at the Civil Affairs office right at 3pm. Jay and I were shaking as we walked in...but she wasn't there yet! We only waited about 5 minutes and she came in the room in the arms of a "Dr." from her orphanage! We talked to her and stroked her face for a few minutes then I took her from the woman. She arched her back and let out a big cry!! She continued to cry for several minutes on and off....not "screaming" but crying and whimpering. It was interesting because she wasn't reaching for the woman who brought her, in fact, she seemed totally unattached to her...but she sure didn;t want the big bald man and the blond lady the people were telling her were her "mama" and "baba"! She let us feed her snacks we brought and that settled her down....FYI for adopting families....BRING FOOD TO GOTCHA DAY! It was a life saver!
We stayed there for probably 20 minutes, then left with her. We had the chance to talk to the lady that brought her and they gave us some formula and a small photo album of pictures....they are dated back to when she was about 4 months old and there are 10 in all! Priceless! We learned her schedule and that she had just been taken from her foster family that morning!! That was an answer to prayer because many times they move children back to the orphanage before they are adopted. The "Dr" that brought her really didn't seem to have a clue at all about her and just gave us generic answers to our questions.
We came back to the hotel room and had some time to fill out some paperwork and she played on the bed with Avery and I. After that was done, we played some more and she cried on and off for the rest of the night. I did get the courage to give her a bath and she LOVED it! She actually went back in there about an hour later, fully clothed, and tried to climb in! So I obliged and the second bath of the night was had!
God is so good! When we first got her referral, our pediatrician told us that he had never seen a baby with SB walk unassisted. That day was a HUGE step of faith for us, as we felt that God was calling us to say "yes" to this child. Well, ....meet your FIRST! This child can practically run!!! What an AMAZING gift! She does have a small scar where the place was repaired, but unless you look at her little butt crack, you'd never know.
We got her some rice for dinner delivered to the room...she's a wonderful eater! No issues there! She wouldn't let us give her a bottle and about 8:45 she just fell asleep sitting up in my lap. I put her in the crib and she slept for 9 hours!
On a personal note let me just say that this is HARD. VERY HARD. We are by ourselves in this place that seems (and is) very far away from home. Our guide is great but not here all of the time. I really miss my kids and cannot fathom that I have another 10 days here. Once we get back with our friends on Sunday, things will be much better, but for the next 4 days, we're here. I know that 4 or 10 days doesn't seem like a lot, but it feels like an eternity to me. Please pray that the days would go quickly and I can keep it together emotionally! Right now I feel like we got what we came for....now I want to go HOME.
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13 comments:
So happy she and you all have now gotten some sleep. Hope that you fill your time soaking up the city and your baby girl. You'll be in GZ before you know it.
Hugs from north ga to china!
Hey Em! Congrats! She is awesome! I know her 2 big sisters back home can't wait to meet her! Has she taken a bottle from you yet? My friends who adopted from China got a baby who wasn't on solids yet, and she also refused the bottle. When they visited her orphanage, one of the nannies gave her a bottle, and she didn't resist after that. It's like she needed the transition or something. Just wanted to mention that, in case you're still having trouble with that. Although, since Ash is older and able to eat other food, it may not be any big deal. :) Love the updates--thanks for keeping us posted!
Im so glad that she calmed down and has given you all some rest. She is just so sweet.
Have a blessed 10 days, make the most of being is such a beautiful country. You will be home in no time at all.
God Bless.
V
E
What a beautiful story. We are thrilled that things are going so well. We feel much the same way about being alone. We met a couple of families at the civil affairs office but have yet to connect with any. We have spent a fair amount of time in our hotel room bonding. We miss you guys - please tell me you are coming on Saturday and not Sunday.
Hey Emily, good to see things are going well. Yeah, the week alone is hard. It will be good to have the whole group back together again on Saturday. In the meantime, enjoy this bonding week. Hope it goes smoothly for you all. Love, Petrie
I am up so early thinking about you guys. It is a long hard trip. I remember being so homesick for the good ole USA! And, we had our whole family with us.
Everywhere I go, someone asks, did you see Emily's blog? Have you heard from them? Just know that everyone back home is asking about you, thinking about you, praying for you.
Yeah, what a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. God is so good!! She is absolutely gorgeous. I know how you feel with being away from home and the other children. I too kept telling myself its not that long, but each day seemed so far off to when I would be home. I kept telling myself that it would come sooner then I knew it and to just savor each moment to the best of my ability.
Oh Emily,
I am so happy for you all and what a blessing and answer to prayer that she is taking off like she is. I know how hard the next 4 days will be and again, I wish we were there. Briley reminded me yesterday that we would be with Mia right now if it had worked out. Ok, I know, there is a reason, still the days seem to drag for us right now too.
We will continue to pray for you all. After all, we both need the days to come to fly by!
In my prayers,
Cindy Linamen
Emily,
What an amazing story. I know I will have the exact same feelings as you about home when we go to China. I feel them already and I haven't even left yet.
I read Ps 139 this morning... "if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
May you feel His grip around You these next 10 days till He leads you safely home.
Angela
It will get better. Sorry you guys are so isolated.
Ashley is absolutely beautiful! I love that you got her smiling.
We are praying for you guys.
Can't wait to see Ashley in person.
Hey Emily...
I soooo know how you feel about being there alone. It was INCREDIBLY hard for me. I was so emotional and felt almost "dropped". We were with our guide in the mornings until about noon. And then we had the rest of the day to ourselves...with really no where to go. The sidewalks and streets were scary!! :o) I'm lifting you up!! Enjoy this time as much as you can. Before you know it you will be back with your group! Yippee!
Ashley is just absolutely beautiful! I love her rosey, rosey cheeks!!
Hugs,
Jenn
Hey Em - Changsha has a great park and museum and a great multi story shopping mall. Is your guide "Dimple" ask her to take yall there sometime it's a nice outing. Also I'm not sure where you're staying, but there was a McDonalds right down from our hotel.
Congratulations again.
i am sooo glad that she is doing better and I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! i can't imagine how hard it must be, but i know that God wouldn't have called you to do it if he hadn't already equipped you to do it!!
and ps.... wheres the pictures with my shirt??
love you,
ash
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