GOTCHA!!!

Today is a day we'll remember for the rest of our lives. So, so good.

Our guide came to get us at 9:00. We went to the Civil Affairs office and were the first ones there.

The "waiting room" where all the families wait for their kids.

There were five other families and a total of 7 kids being placed today. The next person there was a darling little girl waiting for her family! So exciting! As soon as the families walked in, I started bawling. This sweet girl was given to her new Mama. They sat down by us and this sweet thing was quickly snuggling and smiling with Mama.
Eventually all the other kids trickled in. They were not all happy about being given to complete strangers. It broke my heart! So many tears from these sweet kids who have no idea what's going on. They don't understand they are already so adored. They just know that all they have ever known is suddenly being ripped away from them. So sad! I watched nervously as several kids did not want anything to do with their new parents. They all eventually calmed down, luckily! And we still waited. A sweet woman from Norway came over to talk to me and said, "I'm sorry you're still waiting! You were the first one here and the last one to get your child!" I felt like saying, "You have no idea." Instead I just smiled and told her it was okay. I was panicking inside, though. There's been such a big part of me for so long that's been afraid a gotcha day would never happen. It's been such a long, hard road! I said there thinking, "I hope Milo exists! What if he just never shows up!"

We waited a while longer, and eventually a very sound asleep Mr. An Yi Yang was carried into the room by his nanny. I could not stop the tears. He was here! My boy!!!

I tried taking him from the nanny, but she wouldn't let me have him until she finished all her pictures. Grr!

Taking a picture for his orphanage.

They FINALLY handed him over! I was BAWLING!

SO sleepy!

We had to take a picture for the Civil Affairs office. They made sleepy head wake up. Apparently his eyes had to be open for the photo, so it took many attempts!

Milo, meet your Baba!

 After we left the Civil Affairs office, we went to the store to get diapers and formula. You should have seen the stares we got! This American couple holding a Chinese baby in orphanage clothes. Ha! Once we got the supplies we needed, we grabbed a quick lunch with the guide and driver. We then FINALLY got back to the hotel! We prepared a bottle for Milo and he frantically gulped it down. The panic broke my heart. Never again, baby boy! You can eat as much as you want from here on out!!

We took his stinky orphanage clothes off and put him in his own, tiny new ones. The 3-6 month clothes are a little bit short, but drown him everywhere else. He is so, so, so skinny. You can feel his ribs from both sides through his clothes.

 After we took care of some more paperwork in the lobby, we came up and gave him his first bath! It was amazing to wash away the smell of being an orphan. Being slathered in baby wash, he has officially become a son. Our son.

All fresh and clean in his new jammies!

 

This cute boy got another bottle. Not even two hours after the first. Ssssshhhhh. Don't tell the orphanage staff. He's not supposed to eat so much ;) He got to eat it while snuggling in his mom's arms. He even made eye contact with me a few times!! SO great! He polished off the bottle and fell asleep on my chest. We took a little nap, and now he and Baba are playing on the floor blowing raspberries at each other. This little boy is an orphan no more!! He is a beloved and cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin!!

Milo is extremely congested. He is having a hard time breathing. Please pray for that to clear up! It's actually quite scary to hear him trying to breathe!

Other than what seems to be a cold for Milo, we are all doing remarkably well! Milo can't sit up, as I expected. He's a pro at rolling over, though! He sure loves his hands! He's not too interested in toys yet, but we'll get there!

I can't wait to watch this little man blossom!! Happy gotcha day, Milo Yang! You're stuck with us forever now!