Gotcha Day!

This morning we got up at 4:30 a.m., left for the Beijing airport at 5:45 a.m. and were off to Guangzhou for Gotcha Day! As we were waiting for the bellboy to pick up our bags we couldn't stop grinning. I had butterflies galore in my stomach and Randy would just start laughing at random times as he thought of what this day would bring. We woke up a family a two and would be heading to bed a family of three.

Our flight from Beijing to Guangzhou was an uneventful 2 hour and 45 minute trip. Upon landing and claiming our baggage we met Helen, our guide for the duration of our stay in Guangzhou. She is very experienced and efficient at helping families through the Gotcha Day process. She took us to our hotel, China Hotel Marriott, and then we departed for the Civil Affairs office. When we arrived there were about 15 other families in the room in various stages of Gotcha Day.  Some were checking paperwork, others were meeting their children for the first time, and some were in the final stages and getting ready to leave. Seven of the children being adopted that day were from Zeke's orphanage.  We walked in and immediately Helen had us checking paperwork.  Once we confirmed that everything was correct we found a place to sit and she disappeared.  When she returned she asked if we were ready to meet our son.  We responded with a resounding YES!

Helen showed us where to stand and then Zeke was brought from another room.  All of the children and their nannies were in a separate room that was curtained off until each child's adoptive parents arrived.  When Zeke was brought out and led toward us he took one look at us and tried to run the other way.  It was such a surreal experience to see the child we have been looking at in photographs for seven months in the flesh.  An amazingly wonderful jolt to the senses.  At that point Helen suggested pulling out some of the toys or snacks we had brought with us in order to entice him near. The first attempt was a lovie. That ended up on the floor within a nanosecond. Next was a Little People police car and that did the trick! We were at the Civil Affairs office for about 30 minutes trading off holding and getting to know Zeke and taking care of paperwork.  After the initial attempt to escape (and a few wiggling moves when being held) Zeke seemed more than willing to stay with us.  We were very surprised that there were no tears, not even when his nanny left.





The Little People
cars were a hit!

Mommy & Zeke
looking at animals
(Civil Affairs Office)



When we were finished at the Civil Affairs office we went to the largest grocery store we have ever been in (four stories!).  It was a good thing we had Helen to guide us around or we wouldn't have found anything in a timely manner.  We picked up some diapers (turns out Zeke isn't potty trained), snacks, food for lunches, and a stroller.  Then we went back to the hotel and spent the evening in our room playing with our son. We have noticed that he is very observant, will mimic actions (Randy kicked a little soft soccer ball we brought and when Zeke picked it up he tried to put it on his foot), and REALLY doesn't like standing/walking on carpet in bare feet. As a matter of fact, he refuses to do it! Tile, no problem, carpet, no way! Not surprising since he has probably never felt carpet on his feet before. :)

Daddy & Zeke watching cars
(Hotel Room Window)

After finding out that he likes noodles, does not like the texture of the baby fruit pouches (yet), and loves crackers, he fell asleep next to me on a chaise lounge. I moved him to his bed and the first real tears of the day commenced. Back to the lounge next to Mama, thumb in mouth, and back to sleep. Apparently the chaise is where he will be sleeping tonight. He is currently crashed out under his new robot blanket. We were blessed to walk through this day with a very mellow little boy (Helen and our driver even commented on how mellow Zeke was). Well, he is mellow for the moment . . . there is a little twinkle in his eye we are anticipating will soon make its way into his actions.

It has been an amazing day!

We are thankful for all who have been praying and ask you to please continue. Zeke seems to be coming down with a cold, so please add that to your list.

First Family Photo (The car was NOT going to leave his hand)



Blessings,

Robyn & Randy