Gotcha Day!!!!

Gotcha Day was today! This picture is of us waiting to go. All except two of our families went to the local registration office to get our babies. The other two families received their children at the hotel when we got back (a different orphanage/s that had to drive a little farther). Emily did not arrive until last but that was okay but I got really teary-eyed when I saw everyone else getting their babies and it gave me a chance to dry up a little. Hubby on the other hand just kept watching all the other children's reactions and getting hopeful hers wouldn't be bad. We only had two freak-outs and fortunately she wasn't one of them. Actually, I think she was just kind of exhausted. She kind of smiled and zoned out. I can show you the video when we get back but it wasn't bad at all.

She was bundled up so much I could barely get my arms around her to carry her. When we got back to the hotel, we got some of it off of her. She was actually sweaty by that time. She had on a heavy winter coat, a little quilted yellow coat, and a pair of quilted either pjs or sweatsuit with a little hood for her head. On top of the pants to the outfit, she was wearing snow pants. Her socks were so heavy we initially thought that she had on two pair. We left her in the little outfit for a little while. Then later we gave her a bath and put on the little purple outfit she's wearing. I have never in my life seen such skinny little arms and legs.

At 3:30, one of the parents had to go and fill out some more paperwork with the group so I went down since she seems to be attaching to both of us pretty well and we would have to switch out to do signatures (and thumb prints ???) anyway. She normally takes a nap after lunch but that was the first time we saw her really throw a fit. She is NOT about taking naps -- lesson 1. So Hubby tried to get her to take a nap while I was gone or at least fall asleep on his lap. Before we left, Walgreens had a deal on kids toys where you got 3 for $15. We got a phone that plays music and flashes a light as one of them. That was about the best $5 we ever spent. Before we leave this hotel, we'll probably have to replace the batteries. Hubby said she would press the button and just about pass out when the music went off at which point she would sit up, press the button, and just about pass out again until them music went off and start the cycle again. Hubby said we should find one that plays for like 5 minutes and it would put her right to sleep.

After the paperwork, we had to make a stamp of her handprint. She was also very much NOT about that. We did that as quickly as possible. Then we headed out for some dinner. I have yet to find anything she won't eat. If you put it in front of her, I think she'll eat it. So far, that includes apples, cheerios, goldfish, rice, chicken, edamame (at least that's what we think it was), cauliflower, egg, even the little crunchy appetizer thing that we had no idea what it was. She won't eat it though if she has to take it off the plate or out of the bowl. I think that must be orphanage training though. If every kid there was grabbing stuff, it would probably be anarchy.

After that came brushing teeth (which she has done), pjs, and bed. Another fit too. I think that was the point at which her comfort with us was tested. I rocked and rocked, then we'd lay her down and crying and wailing. Hubby took a turn and I just layed down on the bed. When she started whimpering again, I just held out my arms and told her to come her in Chinese. She crawled right over, plopped down, and passed out. On my arm. Which I didn't free until the next morning. I had tried laying down with her earlier but I guess she finally figured it was happening regardless or something. So we'll see how today goes.

We have decided that our orphanage is pretty cool though. The nanny had come with her and took every chance she got to get another hug before she left so I know she must have been loved. They brought with them a brand new Disney princess backpack for her. It had diapers and apples along with some new pictures and the stuff from her care package. Normally, you go, get the kid, and maybe (but not always) the care package camera and stuff. They had all of that plus a little flash drive with almost 50 pictures dating all the way back to early 2009. There was a note with some more info and an email address to update them with. They even had her old toothbrush in there. Apparently, it is run by in part or completely a non-profit group.

So we are doing all right. We'll see how much screaming there is tomorrow. Hopefully, she'll come out of her shell some more.