The Most Amazing Day

I’m lying here next to my new sleeping daughter. Today was amazing. She is amazing.

This morning we met our rep, Michael, to go to the bank to exchange some money, get all of our paperwork together, and prepare for meeting Aili. After that we had about an hour and a half in our room before we were to meet him again in the lobby to go. I was a nervous wreck! I couldn’t stop pacing the room. I was nesting. Making sure everything in the room was perfect. FINALLY, after over two years, it was time.

There was quite a bit of traffic getting to the civil affairs building. I was trying to keep Raleigh entertained, but also trying to take it all in. When we got there we were told Aili was already there in the other room with one of her care takers and the orphanage director. They had taken a bus from Gaozhou, a four hour car ride, to get here today. We were told later that she got car sick a couple times on the bus. She has been in a car a couple times to go to the hospital, but those were very short rides. This was her first long distance ride and first time on a bus.

When they first came out with her, I recognized her immediately. She did okay when her care taker was there, but as soon as I picked her up all hell broke loose. I mean this girl has some lungs! We went and sat down for a bit with the them and had a chance to ask all of our questions. But when they left for good, Aili cried nonstop as we left civil affairs, went to the bank (procedure for transferring some funds), and the 30 minute ride back to the hotel. My heart was breaking for her. She kept screaming the same thing and clawing at the window in the car. Michael said she was calling for her care giver. Her whole world was being flipped upside down. It was heart wrenching. We thought we were in for a loooong ride at that point. But it was also a good sign. Seeing that she was attached to someone means she has the ability to attach. Some children that spend the beginning of their lives in an institution never end up attaching to anyone.

When we got up to the room, something changed. I don’t know how, but she started laughing at something Sam was doing. After that, the night went beautifully. I really can’t believe how well it went after that. We laughed and played, all four of us, for hours. We ordered room service. We asked the care giver her favorite foods. She said that they mostly just had rice and water. Can you believe that?!?! So tonight she had her first French fry, pizza, pasta, and BLT 🙂

This child is so resilient. She has a smile that lights up a room, and a boisterous laugh that’s music to our ears. She’s ticklish, and she has a great sense of humor. She’s kind and likes to share. She loves the bath, and thinks her Baba is hilarious. Right before she falls asleep she puts her thumb in her mouth. She is beautiful.

It is only day one. My heart is overflowing. I am so blessed.