Got Grace !

We left our hotel this morning at 6:00. Our departure time for Changsha was 7:55. After one last wild ride with our driver, James, we were at the airport and ready to go get our babies!

The flight to Changsha took about 2 hours. It was a pretty turbulent ride. It felt as if it lasted forever. Finally, at about 9:00 we arrived in Changsha.

As we were landing, Miracle and I were looking out the window. Everything was so green and lush and beautiful. Then we left the airport and entered the city. Changsha traffic seems to be just as horrible as the traffic in Beijing.

We had enough time at the hotel to get our bags and have some lunch. Dimple, our Changsha guide (no, I’m not kidding) told us we would meet for preliminary paperwork at 1:30 pm. We would get our babies at 3:00.

The paperwork didn’t take long. In fact, compared with what we must do tomorrow, there was nothing to it.

We prayed together before we went to get our babies. It was wonderful to have that time with people who have, in a very short amount of time, become our friends.

It was about a 10 minute ride to the Civil Affairs Office. That was where we would meet our babies. One family is adopting a 3 year old boy. They saw him outside before they were hardly off the bus. He was so very beautiful.

There were babies in the room when we got there. They would call a family name, check passports and travel letter, then hand you your baby. I got to see a woman become a mommy for the very first time. It was an awesome experience.

Mike had went over to ask somebody if he would tape our turn. About that time they called our name. I was almost paralyzed. What was I supposed to do? I grabbed the passport and letter, and Miracle, and up we went.

The official looked over the papers, then the nanny handed me Grace for the very first time.

She was sleeping. All around us babies and mothers were crying. The noise was unreal. And here was this little angel, asleep in my arms. I was crying, Miracle was sobbing, Mike was, well he was Mike. I think he didn’t want all three of us falling apart at the same time.

She looks just like her picture. Her hair sticks straight up on top of her head just like Miracle’s used to. She still has her daddy’s cheeks.

She slept for the longest time. Lineker gave us more information about Grace’s schedule and what her accomplishments are. Mike took our picture with Grace’s nanny. When it was almost time to leave, she woke up.

I was holding her against my chest. She started to stir and raised her head. I thought for sure she would instantly burst into tears. She didn’t. She just looked at me, stared right into my eyes for the longest time. She looked all around the room, at Miracle and Mike, and still no peep. I thought for sure she would cry after hearing the other babies. She didn’t. She didn’t cry there or on the bus. I figured when we got back to the room she would let loose. No, nothing. God has answered our prayers. We asked Him to prepare her heart for us, for her to accept us as her family, for her not to be scared. He has done all of those things, and so much more.

We brought her back to the room and started getting to know each other. We discovered she loves Cheerios. When she gets done eating the, she just wants to get them out of the bag and play with them, She would rather beat two bottle caps together than play with her toys. She enjoys having a bath. She likes NutriGrain bars, and she would’ve eaten a French fry if I had allowed her.

She likes to play silly games like bending over my arm and bonking her head on the floor. She laughed aloud when we played that game.

She jabbered to us. So far her favorite word is, “dah dah dah dah dah dah.” I’ve heard “ma ma ma ma ma” a few times, but not as much. She also says, “Hi!” She’s obviously a genius!

Our angel is asleep in her crib now. She’s had a very big day. Her sister is getting tucked in now. I’m hoping I can take a shower before going to bed. If Grace stays asleep I’ll be able to. If she wakes up. I won’t. She won’t let Mike hold her. He can look at her, talk to her, and give her things, but he cannot hold her. Please pray that Grace will accept him soon. I feel so sorry for him.

I am not sure if Grace will be able to wear any of the clothes we brought for her. She’s wearing some 18 month jammies that we brought, and they fit her very well. They’re just a little big in the feet. I guess we’ll just have to see. We’re supposed to go shopping tomorrow, so I can always get bigger clothes.

Miracle is now in bed, and Grace is still asleep. I’m going to grab a shower. It’s been a really long day.