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Trip to China
Itinerary  |  May 8  |  GOTCHA DAY!  May 9  |  May 10  |  May 11  |  May 12  |  May 13  |  May 14

May 15  |  May 16  May 17  |  May 18

GOTCHA DAY!

It is late and I am tired, but Sophie is finally asleep and I really want to get this all down before something is forgotten!

Today was absolutely amazing. I went into this day with excitement and anticipation, but also with a knowledge that adopting a toddler can be a very real challenge and definitely not for the faint hearted. My guide and I arrived at Civil Affairs and I honestly felt like I might pass out, my heart was beating so loudly. He brought me to a room and asked me to sit there and wait. I was listening for any sound of what might be Miss Sophie and finally heard the sound of some squeaky shoes approaching. In she came in all her splendor and my heart completely melted. It was truly love at first sight. I started to cry at the sight of her and realized it might frighten her so I tried to contain my emotions. She was pushed towards me and told to call me "mama", which was hard to see because I know it was so unnatural for her. She did let me put her on my lap and accepted the Hello Kitty toy and lollipop I offered her.

We visited with the SWI director who told us how smart Sophie is and how loved she is by everyone at the orphanage, especially her nanny. The nanny had sent along two traditional Chinese outfits that she had made for Sophie by hand ... even our guide was surprised at this loving gesture. She also was wearing a silver bangle that was given to her by her nanny. Sophie had taken a fall several weeks back and the SWI had sent me some pictures to prepare me for her injuries. At the time of the pictures, her left eye was swollen shut and both eyes were black and blue. Thankfully she has healed beautifully and all that remains are some light bruises under her eyes. The director pointed out that Sophie had picked out her outfit to wear today which consisted of a black and white baseball jersey, some white pants with purple flowers and navy squeaky sandals. A perfect toddler ensemble.

When the time came for the director to leave she told Sophie good bye and that she was leaving. As Sophie grasped the meaning of these words her face began to melt and she started to silently sob. The tears just began to flow and I couldn't stop myself from crying just watching her. It was a heartbreaking moment. The director left and we left shortly thereafter, letting the director get far enough ahead of us that we wouldn't run into her again. Sophie continued to cry, all the way back to the hotel, through bubbles, Dora the Explorer, lollipops, sippy cup and an attempt to give her a bottle (she still takes one!). About an hour and a half after she began, she just stopped. She let me blow bubbles for her and she started to try to pop them herself. Then she started to gesture for me to blow some more. I showed her the stacking cups I brought for her and she worked furiously until she figured out how to nest them in each other the way I had.

Gotcha!






 
After a little while I was even able to get some smiles and a few giggles out of her! I had bought some Chinese picture books and she looked at each one, page by page, naming many of the items. I just wish I could understand Chinese enough to know what she was saying! But just the sound of her sweet voice was enough to give me goose bumps. What a blessing to be able to call this little girl my daughter. God has had His hand all over this adoption and today was no exception! I knew she was going to cry and actually welcomed it, in my head at least ;) because it means that she was loved and attached to her caretaker. I know she will grieve some more as the reality continues to sink in, but at least we have the hardest day behind us now.

Stay tuned!

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