Well.....It has finally happened. We have our son and he is precious. Chelsea and I awoke at 5:00 am and went to breakfast at 6:00. The only other people at the buffet are jet-lagged too at that hour!
At 8:30 we met Sherry in the lobby...hands full with five gift bags and two bags of donations for the orphanage. I also had my video camera out and ready to film the drive....the sites and sounds of KunMing. It took us about 25 minutes to get to the Civil Affairs office across town. We arrived before Jonathan and were led to a room with a large table and many chairs. The civil affairs officer was mopping the floor while we waited. We were asked to sit at the table to wait. Camera ready...hearts beating...butterflies!
Finally, 15 LOOONG minutes later we heard the buzzer ring. Sherry jumped up to look...she nodded it was him. Chelsea was armed with the video camera and I had the "biggest hug ever" ready for my son. He popped out around the corner stone-faced in the arms of his smiling caregiver. She spoke to him in Mandarin stating I was the new mama. He was scared but went to me without tears. He was a little stiff and light as a feather. I could feel his tiny butt through his pants. He is so skinny.
We started the business of paperwork. His caregiver left the room and went across the hall. I could feel the wiggles start. He wanted down and to be with his familiar face. I let him go. I was then told to sign numerous papers so I sent my accomplice to watch over him...Chelsea followed him to the room and they began to play with some balls. I continued signing and reading over paperwork to make sure it was correct. While I wasn't looking, she got the first smile from him!
At that point the caregiver came in to speak with Sherry. I stood up to check on my two children. Sherry pulled me over and asked if I knew that Jonathan had congenital heart disease. I was shocked. The caregiver said they had notified the CCAA but we had not been notified. The first thing through my mind was that God had not brought us to this point to turn back...it was NEVER a thought. I just said to Sherry..."I don't care, He's my son" They could've told me he had three heads and I still would've had the same answer.
I just have to say...There is NOTHING like holding your child for the first time...biological or adopted! I had to smell him and touch him. I still rub his head constantly to just "feel' him. He is perfection in human form even if his physical form is imperfect.
He is doing fantastic now although he has had a few meltdowns of heartbreaking crying. Not hard crying...just quiet grief. He is eating like a pig and drinking alot of water. He likes the ramen noodles we got at WalMart and the cheesey crackers. He has taken me to the potty several times to go. YEAH!
He has quickly fallen in love with his jie jie (older sister). Chelsea is great with kids and she has won his heart quickly. He fell asleep with her for his nap. He sucks his fused finger for comfort. He fell asleep in seconds. I am sure he was exhausted from the stress of the day.
We gave him a bath tonight as well. He loves the water and especially bubbles. (I brought the foam bath from the White Swan!) He plays with his stacking cups and the bowl I brought for noodles. He likes to fill up the water bottle too. He does have a few mongolian spots on his back...they are something that looks like a bruise and they will fade as he grows older. He is such a tiny thing...we will have to put some meat on those bones. I think he probably weighs around 20 lbs. and his pants are constantly falling down.
Although today was a day I will never forget, I have to say that this evening falling asleep takes the cake. He was next to me with his go-go (stuffed dog). I closed my eyes to try to fool him. He took several minutes to feel my face with his hand. It was like a blind person getting to know someone's face. He rubbed my cheeks and forehead as well as my lips, ears, and hair. He was getting to know his mama. I have to say it was so sweet! He soon fell asleep sucking his finger and I placed him in his crib. We found out during nap time he moves aorund alot!
So...thats about it. Today was unbelievable and a true gift from God. I finally have my son I dreamed of for so long. He is here with me...feeling my face...getting to know me. Is there anything better?
Please keep us in your prayers. It is hard being away from our family and especially being the only family here from our agency. We can't wait to get to Guangzhou to meet the Buntons and Taylors!
All our love to Daddy, Karli and Cassie...we miss them so much!
Kelly and Chelsea a.k.a. Mama and JieJie
