Well, we have finally been united with Emilia!!!! She is as beautiful and healthy as we imagined.
The day has been indescribable, but I will do my best to give you an idea of how it all happened. This morning at 9:00 we went to the civil affairs office for our 9:30 appointment with the officials and to receive Emilia. When we got there we went to a big room where the nannies and babies arrive. Many other parents were also there to meet their children. The babies started to come in and we waited and watched. It seemed like everyone that came in the door looked like our Emilia! I think that may have been because we were so anxious to meet her that we looked for any similarity in any and all babies that came through that door! Finally after about three rounds of children, we looked up and there she was coming through the door. They called our name and we rushed up to meet her. It all happened in a couple of seconds and we turned around and the nanny was gone. We never did get to speak with her.
Once we sat back down with Emilia, she would not look at us, but she never once cried. She just kept looking away as if we would go away if she did not look at us. She was taking in everything going on around us, but she didn't have any interest in us whatsoever. We began enticing her with every child's weakness...food! Little Gerber fruit puffs went a long way in establishing that first tiny bond. The orphanage had given her a lollie pop and she held on to that for dear life. It actually took us five hours and a lot of stickiness later to finally convince her that it was ok to give it up. It seemed to be her final security blanket that she didn't want to let go.
Going back to getting the babies, it is the most chaotic thing you could ever imagine. Babies crying, people crying, amateur photographers and cameramen everywhere. People speaking several different languages and government officials receiving small gifts of appreciation. WOW!!!!!
As soon as we were allowed, we left to go back to the hotel and check out our babies. For those who may not know, we traveled with two other families. One from Maine and one from Massachusetts. The girls are all beautiful.
Emilia seems to be very healthy. After a change of clothes and sponge bath, we attempted our first bottle of formula. That was not a big hit with her and we quickly moved to a sippy cup.
At 2:00pm we had to return to the civil affairs building to process paper work. Other babies were still being given to their new parents, but now they were also trying to process paperwork with those that had received their children in the morning. As we filled out forms, it was pointed out that Renee and another gentleman in our group had been using the wrong type and color pen. This lead to about a 10 minute argument between officials and our guide. Finally the correct pens were distributed and the process could continue. The issue was the we were to have the correct pens to use and they did not want to share. Go figure!
We are back at the hotel and Emilia is starting to warm up to us. She has given us a few smiles, some chatting, and she seems to be attaching to a "pea in a pod" baby that we brought with us.
All is well! What an absolutely incredible indescribable day!
The day has been indescribable, but I will do my best to give you an idea of how it all happened. This morning at 9:00 we went to the civil affairs office for our 9:30 appointment with the officials and to receive Emilia. When we got there we went to a big room where the nannies and babies arrive. Many other parents were also there to meet their children. The babies started to come in and we waited and watched. It seemed like everyone that came in the door looked like our Emilia! I think that may have been because we were so anxious to meet her that we looked for any similarity in any and all babies that came through that door! Finally after about three rounds of children, we looked up and there she was coming through the door. They called our name and we rushed up to meet her. It all happened in a couple of seconds and we turned around and the nanny was gone. We never did get to speak with her.
Once we sat back down with Emilia, she would not look at us, but she never once cried. She just kept looking away as if we would go away if she did not look at us. She was taking in everything going on around us, but she didn't have any interest in us whatsoever. We began enticing her with every child's weakness...food! Little Gerber fruit puffs went a long way in establishing that first tiny bond. The orphanage had given her a lollie pop and she held on to that for dear life. It actually took us five hours and a lot of stickiness later to finally convince her that it was ok to give it up. It seemed to be her final security blanket that she didn't want to let go.
Going back to getting the babies, it is the most chaotic thing you could ever imagine. Babies crying, people crying, amateur photographers and cameramen everywhere. People speaking several different languages and government officials receiving small gifts of appreciation. WOW!!!!!
As soon as we were allowed, we left to go back to the hotel and check out our babies. For those who may not know, we traveled with two other families. One from Maine and one from Massachusetts. The girls are all beautiful.
Emilia seems to be very healthy. After a change of clothes and sponge bath, we attempted our first bottle of formula. That was not a big hit with her and we quickly moved to a sippy cup.
At 2:00pm we had to return to the civil affairs building to process paper work. Other babies were still being given to their new parents, but now they were also trying to process paperwork with those that had received their children in the morning. As we filled out forms, it was pointed out that Renee and another gentleman in our group had been using the wrong type and color pen. This lead to about a 10 minute argument between officials and our guide. Finally the correct pens were distributed and the process could continue. The issue was the we were to have the correct pens to use and they did not want to share. Go figure!
We are back at the hotel and Emilia is starting to warm up to us. She has given us a few smiles, some chatting, and she seems to be attaching to a "pea in a pod" baby that we brought with us.
All is well! What an absolutely incredible indescribable day!
8 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have been checking this site the way I used to check the Rumour Queen. Eileen and I have been wondering how things were going, (on an hour by hour basis), and guessing where you must be: did you have seats on the plane that made it easy to get up and move around or were you wedged in--; thinking about what it was like as it came time to meet your daughter--; etc. etc. Keep the pics and info coming when you can and say Hi to Wally and Kathy for us. Phil & Eileen
Aunt Nee & Uncle Tom...Mommy couldn't wait to turn on her computer this morning to show us a picture of Emilia.
Jake: "Can she come over today?"
Chloe: "Can I give her a toy when I see her? I'm going to draw her a picture and she's going to love it."
Dylan: "Wow."
We all so look forward to meeting her. We love you all very much! xoxoxoxoxo
Oh my God!!! She is even cuter than I thought. I can just picture her avoiding eye contact...It must have taken every ounce of self control to not gobble her up. Mom is coming over this afternoon to view the blog. I had tried to post a comment on the last one but just figured out how to. Cannot wait for her to come home. OH and you guys too, of course!
Love you all,
Aunt Dun
Oh my God, she's beautiful....Tom, I thhink she has your hair.... What a wonderful experience. I can't wait to meet her. Jack says she looks cute! George can't seem to think of anything to say. I've been thnking of all of you everyday and checking the itinerary to follow what you're doing each day. Aunt Jul called me Saturday to tell me about your first nessage, I'm sure she probably will be respondiing when she sees your latest Aunt Yvette called this morning to say the Laurie and Lenny are the parents of an 8lb 6oz baby boy born Sunday. , He's 22 inches long. I forgot to ask what his name is... Enjoy yourselves and give Emilia a big hug and kiss for me. Can't wait!!!! Lots of love, Mom (& Mem)
Thank you.She is absolutely beautiful. And she has a new little cousin Liam We can't wait to see her enjoy every day. Love aunt Jul and fam.
Hi Renee & Tommy! I'm so excited for you! Emilia is absolutely beautiful!! It must be like a dream come true! What an amazing and incredible experience! I can't wait to meet her!! Give Emilia a great big hug and kiss for me!!
Love,
Susan Connolly
How wonderful for you both and all the family. She is absolutely beautiful. We have celebrations here too, Len and Laurie had a baby boy yesterday - 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 22-1/2 inches long. His name is Liam Carlton. Everything is going well here, and hope your trip home is a good one. A hug from Aunt Yvette.
Hi Tom and Renee, what a wonderful day you had. We have been thinking about you everyday since you left. This morning as I was driving to work, I was so excited knowing that you were with your daughter. We are so glad that you are keeping your blog up to date. It is funny because, I didn't know that Phil had already written to you until I saw his note. Ditto to what he has said. She is beautiful, you must be on cloud nine!! Say hello to Wally and Kathy. Eileen
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