Monday, January 22, 2007
GOTCHA -- BECCA'S HERE!!!

This morning we woke up around 5 AM after a much needed rest - we went to bed early at 7:30 PM last night. We ate breakfast (I really love having fried rice and steamed noodles with breakfast - along with the standard Western fare) with our group at the hotel's restaurant. At 9 AM we headed over to the CCCA office in Hefei and waited patiently for our babies. After only 5-10 minutes from our arrival, the nannies arrived from the orphanage with our children. I managed to pick out Becca immediately and when they called the names to receive the babies, Angie and I were first.

Becca is absolutely gorgeous! She did not immediately cry but seemed to be inquisitive with her facial expressions. She cuddled with Angie almost immediately and they have since been inseparable. After about an hour Becca finally started playing with the toys we brought to the CCCA; she has not parted with one of the toys since latching on to it. After receiving our daughters, we took photographs and the nannies told us about each child's daily schedule, which is the same for all 6 children, and their personalities, which are quite different.

The children's sleep schedule involves a wake up call at 6 AM, nap time at 11 AM-1:30 PM and crib placement at 7 PM. Their meal schedule starts with the first bottle at 6:30 AM and then every 4 hours, 5 times a day, with the last bottle around 10 PM. Solid food is given twice per day between 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. This food consists of either salty Chinese custard or congee (a very liquid based steamed rice.)

Becca's personality is described as being "timid, very sweet, very active, loves to mimic, loves to smile, sometimes a little bit stubborn, loves to listen to music, play games, loves toys." The Chinese cameraman, who is making the Gotcha Day video, took a liking to Becca and kept telling us that she is so pretty. He even went on to tell our coordinator that she was his favorite.

Becca needed a diaper change as soon as she arrived. I promised Angie I would change her diaper for a while until Angie became comfortable doing it herself (as she has never changed a diaper.) Of course, I didn't expect to contend with the nannies and split pants. Becca arrived with 3 pairs of split pants on and a diaper as well as several shirts. For those unaware of split pants, they are literally crotch-less pants to allow for the child to have freedom with their bodily functions. I tried to take off the pants and then remove the diaper only to discover 3 nannies rushing to Becca's side to save her from my apparent ineptness. They took over and changed the diaper without removing the split pants (my way was faster but their way kept Becca warmer.)

One would think that once the nannies parted, we would be Becca's sole caretakers. However, it seems that the entire Chinese population is in charge of making sure the babies are taken care of properly. Several people pulled down Becca's pant legs to make sure she was bundled up properly. One woman even wiped the cookie off her face. Many Americans believe that the layering of clothing is excessive but, in reality, this is a necessity. Even though heat is available in the buildings, it is only turned on for certain times during the day. The room where we met the children was very cold.

As I am writing this, Becca is finally sleeping for the first time since we took her in our arms (all the other babies slept on the bus.)

For those families waiting for referral and those contemplating adoption, it truly is worth the wait. The process may seem long and arduous at times, but all the anticipation and worry leave the second the nanny places your child in your arms for the first time. So, enjoy the process as Angie and I have done since March 2005. It has been a joy shopping for Becca, praying for her well being and living vicariously through websites such as this one. And then finally Gotcha Day comes and it is indescribable.

Enjoy the photographs and we'll see you tomorrow.