Day 4 – GOTCHA DAY!

It finally got here. Gotcha Day! What an experience and she’s as wonderful as we expected. I don’t exactly know where to start, so how about how the day went.

We left for the registration office at 9:45. Just a 20 minute ride and the bus pulled up on the side of this 4 story government building. We all entered on the side into a 700 sq. ft. room. A couple of tables, 4 sofas and a small play area. Turns out, there was another adoption agency there with 2 families as we arrived. Shortly after babies and toddlers started showing up. It was a bit chaotic. We had our 9 families there, plus the two others. Sprinkle in some nannies, crying babies and government officials now too. Each family was helping the other. Taking those most important first family photos with the new addition, retrieving paperwork for signing because their hands are now full and pass tissues for obvious reasons. It was a loud, controlled chaos and wasn’t very private, but none the less, could not have been more perfect.

 

10:45am – Tian arrives. If she outweighs Winnie or Dexter, it’s not by much. She’s is just a little doll. We were told immediately that Tian got sick in the car. She was warm and it does feel like she has a fever. But you really don’t know because she was in 3 layers of clothes. They had given her some medicine for diarrhea and it, or the 3 hour car ride, didn’t agree with her. With no fuss, zero fuss, she was given to Kerry on the couch. We cleaned her up. Put her in the jacket we bought yesterday and gave her some water in a bottle. A minute or two later, Kerry was christened on her lap. Welcome to the show Mom!

 

Obviously not feeling well, Tian was very quiet with very little response to anyone. She sat on Kerry’s lap just looking around. I thought when Kerry passed her to me we’d see some waterworks. Nothing. She looked up at me a couple times and just let me hold her. Now don’t lose track of the fact there are at least 7 other babies there, balling their eyes out and approximately 50 people moving around and taking photos in this small room. Sad that she was not feeling well, but it did help make the exchange basically seamless.

 

We signed today’s paperwork and arrived back to our room by 11:45. Tian got a diaper change, a cool, wash towel wipe down, some fresh clothes, hair brushed and a bottle. It’s been a couple hours now and still no real smile, but no tears either. Around 1:00 Kerry fed her some rice formula and banana sauce. She ate really well. Snacked on some cheerios too. She’s was still a little warm when she took a nap shortly after lunch.

 

Somewhere after 2:30, we were playing on the floor with stacking bowls, books and the leapfrog animal sound making thing. She was grabbing for that, shaking this thing, flipping pages, having quite a good time. No big smiles yet, but definitely engaged with us.

 

 

I had to go to a 3pm meeting regarding paperwork for tomorrow. When I got back to swap with Kerry’s turn at the meeting, Tia was dressed and ready too. First time I saw her walk. SO, SO CUTE! Hunter, Tia and Kerry heading down the hallway together. Very slowly. The short legs don’t help the pace. I couldn’t help but watch them the whole way down.

 

Everyone fell asleep around 6. It’s almost 8 now and we are getting Tian up for dinner. It’s been a long, emotional day for at least 3 of us. Tian has been effortless. I don’t believe so, but let’s hope this is not the calm before the storm.

We just got back from dinner. Momma Mia’s, again. It’s 9:45 now. Tia sat quietly in the highchair, knocked out some Cheerios, Apple sauce and some of Hunters French Fries. She’s a good little eater. Taking her 1^st bath now. Who knows when she’ll go down for the night?  Still can’t get over how little she is.

 

Tomorrow looks to be an easy day. We have paperwork at 9am and we are free all afternoon. Weather is still more than cool, but a visit to the park will make it a good bonding day. Today was a great first day.