Gotcha Day!

This day has finally arrived…GOTCHA DAY!! 

       We got up early to meet  our group and our tour guide, Matthew, in the lobby.  There are three other families traveling with us: Smokey and Lydia (first time parents) from Georgia, Barry and Trina (first time parents) from Florida, and Martin, Kirsten, and Lilysophie  (they have one adopted child that is seven years old from China) from South Carolina.  We are all approximately the same age and have waited more than 6 years to adopt our babies. 

       We anxiously hopped on the bus and headed for the China border where we went through security. We then got back on the bus and headed for the airport.  We went through security again and then had to board a bus to go out the plane.  We were the only foreigners to board the plane.  Many of the Chinese stared at us as they walked by and some of them waved with a pleasant smile.  The plane made a loud hissing noise about the whole way and turbulence was terrible which made us incredibly nervous. 

       Rain, turbulence and our flight leaving 45 minutes late,  made for  a very late arrival in Jiangxi Province.  We met our new tour guide, Evelyn, there.  We all eagerly jumped on another bus and took a 45 minute drive to Nanchang Crowne Plaza.  Evelyn gave us a paper that had her feeding and sleeping schedule.  The Evelyn called the orphanages and found out that our babies were very close.  By this time, we were all worn out with tons of emotions going through us.  It is finally the moment we have all been waiting on for so long!  Evelyn steered us into the hotel and we waited for just a couple of minutes until the first baby arrived.  The first baby was Smokey and Lydia’s little girl.  They named her Victoria “Gi ah”.  She is a beautiful eleven month old baby.  The next baby to arrive was Martin and Kirsten’s little baby girl. She is eleven months also and they named her Faye. 

       Our baby girl was the next to arrive.  The orphanage workers placed Gianna in my arms so sweetly.  What a gorgeous, small, and healthy looking baby girl!  Gianna has two bottom teeth and indications of two upper teeth.  She smiled at me showing those cute little teeth and then quietly and shyly turned her head.  I could see where the orphanage cut her hair.  I felt like the proudest momma in the world!  At that moment, all of the waiting was nothing compared to finally getting to hold our baby girl.  Joel and Brittany were smiling from ear to ear.  You could see the explosion of emotions on everyone’s faces.  Most of us were crying!  Gianna was very calm for about ten minutes and then exploded into an infinite cry.  The orphanage director brought the box we had sent and a cup and spoon that she used for feeding.  I was a bit disappointed that the toys and blanket were in the same position that we put them in for packaging.  None of the toys or blanket had been used as they were still in their wrapping.  We gave the box back to the orphanage director to take back with her as it was clear Gianna was not familiar with these items.  They also brought us a note from her mother that we will forever cherish that stated her birth date, the time she was born, and her name—Yue, Li Ye.  The orphanage director advised that they called her, Ye Ye, for a nickname.  Gianna was wrapped up in three to four layers of clothes—all very clean.  I held her for few minutes then put her into Joel’s arms.  This did not last long as it made her even more upset.   All of the orphanage workers were women. She had never seen a male before today.   Joel passed her back to me and I tried to console her but I was unsuccessful too. 

       We waited for the Fourth baby to arrive who belonged to Barry and Trina.  They named her Kayla and she is around seventeen months old.  We headed to our room to cherish and love on our baby girl!  She cried endlessly until she fell asleep in my arms.  We tried to give her some milk to drink, but she would not have any of it.  We took off one layer of clothes and left her in her in the rest for her comfort.  Joel, Brittany, and I felt nauseated and sickened as we could see her pain from not returning to the orphanage—the only place she ever knew.  We were advised that this may happen and prepared ourselves, we thought.  Nothing could really prepare you for this.  We were all absolutely exhausted from the long day and fell asleep shortly after Gianna. Sleep would not last long, however!