Gotcha day

What a day

I now sit here at 9:30 pm, Kerri is asleep and Michael is asleep. Micheal doesn't want to be rocked to sleep, He just fidgeted for a while in the crib and fell asleep on his own. We were told that is what he is used to doing.

This is the first chance I have had to sit all day. This little man is a handful!!!

Going to keep this brief and then I will put some pics up. I'm writing this from the iPad which is a little challenging on when it comes to formatting...

Woke up this morning, had breakfast, a bunch from our group were down there at the same time, everyone anxiously awaiting our 9:30 departure. When the time came we headed to the civil affairs building to get the kiddos.

When we went in, there were already 3 kids there, the parents instantly recognized them and ran to them and greeted them. Awesome to see. Then the kids started arriving one or two at a time. Those of us still waiting grabbed cameras of the newly united and helped them to capture the moment. Our group alone had 9 kids coming from 8 orphanages. And there were probably another 6 or 7 families from other agencies there at the same time. Even the ones who we had never met instantly shared the connection of what we were doing.  The place was noisy,  but full of joy, and laughter and tears.

About an hour and half after we arrived, Michael showed up. Our rep saw who it was (they know the orphanage director) and tuned to us and said "Zheng Jian Jia is here!!!" We met them at the door and they handed him right to Kerri.

No tears, but a lot of wide-eyed bewilderment. We got a bunch of pictures, and our new friends did as well. Then we gave him a snack and we had him hooked. He really didn't care who had him, but don't you dare take away those little puff snacks!

I took my turn with him and loved every minute of it.  He kept eating of course, but pet checking us out.  We tried putting him down in the play area but he wanted nothing of it.  He wanted to be held or at least wanted to sit on me:)

They had him dressed  for Siberia.  He had a soaking wet diaper sticking out from the open bottom layers (3 of them) of pants and could barely find his hands because to outer layer was so big.

There was only a couple more kids that arrived after Michael and then we headed back to the hotel.  2 families had to wait until the afternoon because their kids were delayed due to the distance they had to travel, and the bad weather.   We felt bad for them, but were thrilled to watch them be united with their kids a few hours after we returned.

As soon as we got back,  we facetimed the kids and my Mom.  They were all thrilled to see him in 'the flesh'.    He was still stoic and just checking everything out at the time.  The kids have not yet seen the new Michael...    He is going to fit in well with our clan.

We shed Michael's layers, one at a time ( see pictures) and finally got him into some of the clothes we brought.  He didn't enjoy that process as you can tell in the pictures.   Once we provided him an opportunity to actually bend at the joints he showed us that he has wheels.   Oh they aren't real stable wheels, but he can move.  This is when we saw him actually come to life.

Hour by hour, experience by experience,  he is opening up, laughing, dancing, through fits by kicking his legs.   Completely different kid from the stoic expressionless kid we picked up in the morning to the kid that I just watched giggle as he tried to climb out of his crib about an hour ago.

I realize now as I look at the pictures, that I took a ton of video tonight, and not nearly enough stills.  I'm going to get videos put up as soon as I can (not tonight) but I'll get some pics of his killer smile showing off his pearly whites.

Kerri stayed in the room with him when I went with a group to the bank to exchange money for some of the official visits we do tomorrow.   I came back to the room and there were toys everywhere, drawers open, and Kerri just laughing because it was all she could do to keep up with him.  Here we go again.

A group of us made the trek to the local walmart.  That earned a blog post in and of itself.  I need another visit to document some of the goings on, but stay tuned.  that post will be fun.   We got diapers, some feeding items, and a curling iron (for Kerri..) that we hope actually works here.

Dinner tonight was room service.  Michael chowed on baby food and finally took a bottle before bed.

Loving this little dude.  So thankful for the time to just get to know him, establish this critical early bond with him, and just to have fun with him. Wait till you see the video of him...

He has a fully developed opinion about just about everything, and is not shy about communicating it by whatever means necessary.  He also has a great playful side, picks up on games and want to engage in play. His personality is awesome.  So unique, and so fitting for who he is.

Tomorrow morning we go back to the civil affairs office to complete paperwork, then to apply for his password, and hopefully for a trip to the orphanage where we has spent some of his life when we was not in foster care.  After that, we have a few days of just getting to know Michael time.   Looking forward to that.

For now I will leave you with these pictures.  More to come, and video to come.

Right when we got him

Orphanage director had just given us a photo album of Michael with a bunch of pictures we had not seen before.

Kerri feeding him the puffs

Check out that outer coat.  Yup, there are little fingers in there...

Getting to know him.

2nd layer after taking off the full body lime green snow suit 

3rd layer

4th layer - only 3 pants layers, but he had 4 tops on...

Seeing if he wants to walk on his own -- umm, nope.  not yet.

We have to wear these for the rest of the trip.   White people carrying Chinese baby can raise some concerns.

Just before bedtime.  Loving his Momma

I'm hitting the sack now and joining these 2 sleepy heads.  Michael has a definitive 'sound' as he sleeps.  I love it.

Thanks again for all of the support.  We feel loved, and supported even from 1/2 way around the world.   Technology is no substitute for community or family, but it provides a conduit for communication that we are truly grateful for.