As I type, our "long awaited" Anya Mei sleeps in the crib next to us (it is 8p.m.). What an amazing day today has been! One we will never forget, for sure:)
I had difficulty sleeping last night as thoughts of "our Chinese daughter" danced in my head, and 6:30 a.m. couldn't have come soon enough for me:) We were up and getting ready for the big day ahead of us.
After a slow, relaxed breakfast at the hotel, Nate and I walked around a bit before heading to Holt's office (located at our hotel on the fourth floor) to meet with Miss Catherine (Holt's staff person who gives all the details of what the day will entail). Nate and I left from there to grab a bite to eat at the Deli Shop before leaving for the Civil Affairs building (where we were to meet Anya!). We packed our gifts for the orphanage children and orphanage staff and director. We also grabbed our list of questions to ask the orphanage director, and headed back to Holt's office to meet our guide who would escort us to our daughter (time is 2p.m.). Our guide took us to the Civil Affairs building and as we drove up to the entrance, I was overwhelmed with emotions I had not anticipated! I had told myself and had tried to prepare "no tears" - I did not want to worry or upset Anya when we met - yet here I was a basket case! I could not believe that the long awaited time was actually here and that once we exited that elevator, we would get to meet our daughter for the first time! I sobbed the whole elevator ride up:) My happy tears could not be contained! Our Holt guide (Anson) chuckled as he demonstrated breathing exercises with me:) The whole ride up he said, "Breat calmly, like this" as he inhaled and exhaled - what a nice guy! Once we reached upstairs, baby cries could be heard all around and I knew that we were here! As Anson had us sign some paperwork, I let out a shriek as I saw a woman walk past us carrying OUR ANYA MEI!!!! My concentration was completely gone from there on out - THAT was MY BABY!!!!! Tears began flowing down my face and as I lost my voice, I could only muster out a whisper "That's Anya! I recognize her! I recognize her!"
Anya was brought into a room and through the slitted door frame, I could see her standing by her caregivers legs. As they rose, I hurried to put my belongings down as they announced, "Gang Hao Mei" (pronounced "Gung Hu May"). She was placed in my arms for the first time and it was the most amazing thing! It was like the birth experience of having that baby placed in your arms for the first time! There is nothing else on earth like it! So amazing!
Nate, Anya, and I were ushered into a room and left alone with Anya for a few minutes to get acquainted before beginning the paper work. The poor baby (14 months) was so afraid and yet so brave! She did not know what to do and was so overwhelmed. She did not cry. She just sat there in my lap and kept catching her breath over and over again. This was probably the first time she had ever seen people who were not Chinese,and blonde hair, blue eyed people were probably a bit scary to see! Anya would cautiously give little side glances at us and then look down. I felt so bad for her. I didn't know how to make all of this jumbled confusion for her o.k. Nate jumped right in though. He held her, talked to her, and sang to her. He was wonderful!
After several minutes had passed, Anson and Anya's caregivers (Maogang SWI orphanage director and a caretaker) returned to begin the paperwork, question asking, and adoption turnover.
We were told that Anya had traveled with her orphange escorts five hours this morning from Maoming to Guangzhou! Poor Anya! I cannot even begin to imagine what kind of a day this has been for her:( She was so frightened by it all - so much to take in all at once.
Our translator, Anson, began reading and replying with the answers to all of our questions. It seemed to us that Anya was well taken care of by her caregivers at the orpanage and the director and caregiver there really seemed fond of her. They said that she is a quiet girl, but very smart:) At one point, as Anya was asleep in my lap and a bit of her tummy was exposed, the orphanage director was concerned of Anya catching cold and asked Anson to ask us if we had something to cover her with so she wouldn't become ill. They were both very kind.
Anya looks quite healthy and surprised us with how big she is! We think her last few measurements must have been off.
Our drive back to the White Swan hotel broke my heart as Anya kept fighting back the tears and kept trying to catch her breath. She is so perfect - so sweet, and all of this must be so confusing! Once back at the hotel, we said our good bye to the driver and Anson and headed up to our room (Rm. 1138). Anya had difficulty catching her breath the rest of the day, but oh, how brave she is!
We set her next to us on the floor and brought some stacking cups out for her to see. Anya didn't know what to do. We had turned her world upside down. She just sat there and made several uncertain sounds.
Anya does not like to be put down for any amount of time. She cries and cries - even if we are holding her and go to sit down with her in our lap! So, we hold her constantly and go for lots of walks:) It is so beautiful here around the White Swan! It is like a beautiful dream! And the most wonderful part about it is that finally, Anya Mei is here - our dream baby is finally here!
It is now evening time. We have ordered our pizza from Papa John's and Anya is in her crib sound asleep! Oops! I guess I spoke too soon, she just sat up and is beginning to fuss. Off to "Mommy Duty!":)
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