Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 7: Meeting Day!!!

We woke up at 4:15, but I was already awake and had been for at least a couple hours. Can you say excited? By 5:30 we were on our way for our two hour drive. Today we had a different driver/facilitator - and he was wonderful.

He did not drive like he was from America. He was dodging potholes, pedestrians, and anything else he could. Needless to say, being in the backseat of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, I was not feeling so good (I mean, I really wasn't feeling good). Near the middle of the drive our facilitator asked if I had brought cookies for Aly and I said no, I didn't have room to pack them and I didn't remember to buy them here. He was so kind, he stopped along the way and picked some up (is he great or what!).

When we got to Aly's city we made a business stop, then we headed over to the baby home where we got to meet with the director. She was able to tell us about Aly, and that she is in a groupa with other typical children (mainstreamed already!). They told us how sweet she is, and how much they all love her and are excited for her to get a great family where she can bloom into all that she can be.

The moment finally came when a worker brought her in. I handed Aly the teddy bear I had brought for her and she gave it a soft, gentle hug, and then she cradled it like a baby. She is such a sweetheart! I wanted to take a photo then and there, but we were still mid-meeting and it did not seem appropriate.

Next, the worker put her up on Brian's lap to see how she would do with strangers and especially men since they really don't see many there. She sat quietly and I gave her a cookie... and she said a shortened version of thank you! She has the sweetest little voice. Our meeting wrapped up, and we then got a tour of her sleep room and playroom. Aly went straight to the kitchen play area (oh good, she will love her Christmas present!). The dolls were already in the chairs, but she set the table and we had a little tea party!





I asked if I could give a cookie to the other children and they said yes, so they all sat down in their cute little chairs and had a cookie and the workers went to get their cups for them. After cookie time, a worker dumped a container of toys (cars, trucks, etc.) and guess what the first one she picked up and played with? A helicopter! She was flying that baby around like she had her license (Kira, you've got competition!).





It snowed all day and they were big, huge, snowflakes. I know most of you have real weather, but for this southern California girl, it was fantastic! The Brownings left just in time.





Afterward we went grocery shopping, not fun when you are still feeling nauseous from the car ride (Aly is good medicine, I didn't feel sick at all while at the orphanage!).

After shopping, we went back to the baby house to get the couple whose apartment we will be staying at. (They often rent out their apartments to families who are adopting to earn extra money.) They showed us around the apartment, where things are, how things work, etc. Let me tell you, it feels like The Ritz compared to the other apartment we had just left. Unfortunately, it is not within walking distance, but it is warm and has fast internet. What more could we ask for. Our facilitator was trying to convince us to take the bus to the orphanage, but we will see. It would be a short (and cheap) ride by taxi, so all we have to do is call our facilitator 30 minutes before we would like to leave and he will call the taxi company.

Enjoy the photos!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

She is absolutely beyond gorgeous! The picture of her flying the helicoptor is my favourite :)

Helle said...

Awww, she's just too cute! And spunky too, by the looks of her.

Congratulations, you must be so proud :)

The Mac's House said...

Beautiful little smile. Oh she sounds absolutely adorable.

:) Teri

heatherbrown said...

OH my! That girl is stunning! Sounds like you hit the jackpot with that little angel!

Hansina said...

She is absoutely adorable! What a sweet dolly girl!

Denise said...

Oh, she is just gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for posting these pics. I can't wait to hear all about how she grows attached to you more and more as you keep visiting. And, being a So Cal girl myself, I totally get the excitement over the snow...although I would a total wimp with the cold too. I have been freezing the last few nights with the weather in the 40's!!!

Nan and Dan said...

she is beautiful!!! I am SO happy for you all!! I told you about the driving!! :) you need to keep your eyes closed :)
Hugs!

Unknown said...

Your blog is so exciting to read! Love the pictures. Aly is adorable! The helicopter picture is great! Watch out Kira!

Praying for you all!

Lvoe in Chrsit,
Sally

Kris said...

Yay you got to meet your girl! She is adorable! Like the cold and snow here? It's not too bad. we are staying in the city until Sunday night, then we head via train to Olivia's city. We hope to meet her on Monday! I will make sure to buy cookies before we leave the city here (we are near Independence Square).

Kari said...

She is beautiful! I am so excited for your journey and look forward to reading more about you getting to know each other :)

Mel said...

Yaaaaay!!!! She is beautiful April!!

Unknown said...

Oh just look at her...she is beautiful! I am so happy for you guys!!!