Day 7 Trip to the registration office

Today is the day where we will become her legal guardians.  We left the hotel and all the families were on the bus.  Most of the kids are settling in with their families now.  Some still holding on to a cold or runny nose as they came from the orphanage.  The parents are all talking about how the night went.  Sarah Grace had a good night with a lot of sleep.  She did have an upset stomach that gave us a surprise during the night on 2 occasions.  As I stood at the sink washing out her PJ’s, I still couldn’t help but think about my little angel.  She finally got up around 7:00 this morning.  It took her just a little while this morning, but she came around as we went out.  Our first stop was the registration office where we got our certificates and became her legal guardians.  The next stop was the notary office.  Someone asked me yesterday what my best moment was with her to this point.  That all changed as we sat in that conference room waiting.  I had her on the table and I was playing with her just sitting in front of me.  I was in a chair right in front of her.  All of a sudden her mouth opened wide and she leaned right to me and began to give me a kiss.  That is enough to make your heart stop.  I sat there and didn’t move as I wanted her to get all she wanted.  We came back to the hotel and she is now sleeping.  She’s our little angel.

I'm officially a Hyman!! :)

Cuttie

Day 6 Our first night together

Let me start by saying she is the most precious thing I have ever seen.  We got back to the hotel and we had a bottle and then off to sleep for a short time.  There were a couple of hours of paperwork during the afternoon.  We got to give her the first bath today.  Let me say that this little girl enjoys her bath time.  I kneeled down beside her and started bathing her.  She loved it.  We washed and we played and then we dried off.  It was not until I was drying her off that I decided to tickle her just a bit.  She is extremely ticklish.  She laughed and laughed as I did this.  I didn’t know if I could hold back the tears so that I could keep tickling her.  It was so great to see her joy.  Following this, we got mommy on the phone and she saw and talked with her for a bit and also got to see her laughing again.  I know it is hard for my wife not to be here for all of this.  I can’t imagine how she is feeling inside.  Thanks to the technology, we are able to try and overcome that with the video.  She just stares at the phone when mommy is talking to her.  Not sure if she has ever even seen this before.  Following her bottle this evening, she laid in my arms and drifted off to sleep.  After a short while of holding her, it was off to the crib.  As I laid her in the crib, I stood up and there was this little face with her eyes cracked as they don’t completely close when she sleeps.  I just starred for a little bit as I couldn’t believe it had finally come true.  I found myself laying in the bed most of the night just looking at her.  WOW!!!!!!!!

Day 6 “Gotcha Day”

Last night was a night that everyone hopes to sleep, but I found it difficult.  Not sure if it was the jet lag still hanging around or if it was simply the emotions building in anticipation of what was to come.  We got up and had breakfast at the hotel and then at 9:30 we were off.  We got to the government building around 9:45 and everyone was anxiously pouring off the bus.  The babies and kids are brought in at different times.  Some come from different cities and orphanages.  When we arrived some of the babies were already there and as we walked in, the families met their babies.  Our little angel wasn’t there yet.  As I waiting anxiously, I called Amy (my wife) on facetime and began to wait with her.  We wanted to be able to share this moment together.  Although slow, it worked and she was able to still take part in the gotcha day.  Our little angel arrived with 2 other babies from the same orphanage in Zhoukou.  All 3 were little girls and when they got out of the car, we all knew this was the moment we were waiting for as we were the only families that had 3 from the same orphanage.  As they approached the building, the first one came in and it wasn’t her.  When the second one came in, immediately I recognized her face.  It was a feeling nobody can describe.  She had no idea as she came in what was getting ready to happen, but I was one proud daddy.  They call out the babies name and when they called her name, I was standing right there with arms open.  You can read and watch stories about this day, but nobody can tell you how the babies will react.  Some cry, some shut down and some go pretty seamlessly.  Through lots of prayer about this day, I believe her transition was covered and she was at total peace.  It was only moments from that time that she was smiling and laughing with me.  No words can describe how that moment felt.  This was a pregnancy of 11 years and finally a precious little girl in my arms.  The first sign of a smile was the moment when I leaned my forehead against hers.  As we looked each other in the eyes, she started moving her head from side to side allowing our foreheads to roll across each other.  I was smiling and then on the other side I saw an angel.  As she smiled back at me with a huge grin, I couldn’t help myself.  It was as if she knew at that moment that she was ok.  The most amazing feeling as you sit in the room and watch kids who for whatever reason have been rejected by parents and society.  My heart was overwhelmed with emotions.  As tears build in my eyes, I can only think about one thing.  Parents were sitting and standing with arms open wide to what others had rejected.  The same way in which our God sits with arms open for us no matter what we have gone thru or what we have done.  There is no sight of any blemish.  It is only beauty that we see in those faces just as he sees in us.  .  After this experience, I can certainly say that there is a huge reward.  A little child with nowhere to go and nobody to love them as a family is just heartbreaking.  Watching the change in her face over the course of 1 day has been an awesome experience.  I could type forever and not be able to tell you everything. 

My first smile with my Daddy

First bottle at the Hotel

Smiles coming out little by little

Day 5 Travel to Zhengzhou

Today was a travel day to Zhengzhou.  We left Beijing this morning with the best weather since we had been there.  Sky was very clear and no pollution anywhere.  We got on a plane around 9:30am and left for our new city.  This is where we will get Sarah Grace tomorrow (Gotcha Day).  Walked into the hotel room today and reality really hit when I saw a crib sitting beside my bed.  Wow!!  The time has really come.  It is finally here.  The thought of getting to see this little girl we have been praying for over the last 11 years is almost overwhelming.  The feelings are indescribable.  Taking in the thoughts for a bit, we then left for the bank and of course Walmart.  There were 11 American families all standing on the baby aisle looking at formula.  Seemed as if everyone that walked by had to stop at the end of the aisle and watch as if they didn't know what had happened.  As I sit here typing this, I am thinking to myself, "this will be the last night I am alone before I become a dad."  I am not sure how you tell someone to prepare for this.  I have had 11 years of waiting and I still can't seem to feel prepared.  Gotcha Day is just hours away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 4 Tour of The Great Wall

Today was a day to challenge your ability to climb.  We went to The Great Wall today to see a part of the history of China.  The wall was an amazing feature.  To see this and imagine that it was built so many years ago using only hand and horses is mind blowing.  This was a test of you physical ability. We took a climb up the wall and each person decided to either continue up or stop at the first location.  The sight was good, but if the smog would have been better the sight would have been amazing.  We also toured the Jade Factory before returning to the hotel.  After a short rest, we headed out to see an evening acrobatic performance.  These guys and girls were awesome.  We have discovered there are some interesting food choices around here.  Posting a pic for everyone to see.  Now heading to bed for an early start tomorrow.  We will be leaving the airport tomorrow for the city in which we will pick up Sarah Grace.  Only 1 day remains before we get to meet our daughter.  So excited about this day.

Day 3 Tour of Beijing

After a night of sleep, we took off this morning from the hotel to learn and see some of the history behind Beijing.  All the families loaded up on the bus and we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  After lots of walking we then got back on the bus and went to the old town area. This is the area where some of the tradition of Bejing is.  This area is very different from the modernized areas of Beijing.  We had lunch at a locals house which was a unique experience with good food.  Took a ride on the back of a bike thru the old town area and back to the hotel.  After a little rest now off to eat dinner and go thru the food market area.

Day 2 The Arrival In Beijing

Today was blended in with Wednesday as this was spent in the air between Raleigh and Beijing.  We arrived in Beijing around 2:00pm after a long 13 hour flight.  Once we made it thru customs, we met with our CCAI representative and other families that arrived today as part of our travel group.  We made our way to our hotel for check-in.  We were welcomed by heavy smog and foggy conditions.  First night in China was 7 eleven for water and snack along with pizza hut pizza. 

Day 1 The Trip Begins

This morning was a flash of 11 years of dreams coming true.  The time to get Sarah Grace has come.  It has been a long awaited for journey.  We left home this morning at 3:30am to go to the airport and start our journey.  As most of you know, Amy isn't with me as she will be at home since she is now carrying Seth Andrew.  There are lots of emotions flowing, but we know there is a reason for everything and we sometimes just can't explain what that reason is.  We will arrive in China on Thursday afternoon around 2:30pm Beijing time (2:30am at home).  This will be a long day, but we look forward to the great things to come.

Flight to Beijing

At the Airport