Finally - Steven!

Yesterday was the big day! We finally, finally, FINALLY got to meet our baby boy. 

We didn't go to the CCCWA offices until 9:30 am. All the families were so anxious. Our kids kicked a soccer ball around the hall with an excited couple from Oregon, trying to burn off nervous energy. Also everyone was milling around in the hallway, chatting, dreaming, laughing and checking their watches every other minute. 

On the drive over, the guides warned us one more time that, while this may be the "best day of your life," it is the "worst day of your child's life." The children are removed from the only environment they've ever known, handed off to strangers - often after a long, long car ride. We don't speak the right language, we don't look like anyone they've ever seen. It's scary, it's traumatic.  Bonding and trust building takes time, sometimes a long time.

We knew that Steven was coming from one of the orphanages that is the furthest away, a two and a half hour drive. We were expecting to have to wait a while for him to arrive. But, as the bus pulled up to the government building, we saw a nanny running from a car to the building with a little boy in her arms.

We thought - could it be him? All the families practically flew off the bus and ran into the building. Most of the kids weren't there yet. But, standing in the middle of the room was the nanny from the parking lot, holding a little boy we knew so well from staring at his picture for months and months.

We ran forward as the guide read his name tag, "Pu Jun Yu." Melinda was already crying at this point. They handed Steven to Melinda and he looked politely confused at the teary, emotional woman holding him. The nanny told us that he was, "a very special, brave boy" and that we were a lucky family.

Other children began to arrive, and we had lots of time to play and chat at the office while waiting for everyone to meet their children. The room was soon full of screaming, crying, sobbing children. But, Steven was not one of them. He was all giggles, grins and hugs.

He quickly decided his sisters were fascinating and, moreover, useful in their constant fetching of new toys and feeding him puffs. Mom is great for hugging, singing you songs and tickling your tummy. But, Matt is Steven's real favorite. His face lights up whenever Dad is in the room. It's like Christmas and Santa just brought him the exact thing he's always wanted.

Within the first half hour, he figured out how to say "Dada!" He smiles and calls for "Dada" whenever he sees Matt. By the end of the first day, he'd figured out "Mama" and sometimes, he even says what sounds like "Jia Jia" or "big sister."

Steven was politely confused... right after we met.

 



What is going on here?

Melinda's eyes are puffy from crying,

but Steven was quickly all grins.

Instant buddies! 

He was all giggles as the girls

fussed, hugged and smothered him.

So many smiles for his sisters.

Steven can't walk yet, but he was

eager to try to chase his sisters,

and we expect he'll be tottering after 

them on his own soon.

Really, it's all about Dad. 

 Back at the hotel room, Steven discovered

even more toys and books! 

He wanted to explore everything!

We were feeling pretty good about ourselves when we were able to get ALL three kids down for naps after the mornings events. We even had a nice, calm family dinner from room service. 

Things finally got hectic at bed time. Steven never threw a giant fit with the wailing and thrashing other families are working through. But, all the excitement, new environment and loss of his foster family finally caught up with our little man. There was some night terrors with some crying and soft sobbing. We took turns rocking him and holding him. Sleep was in short supply but our hearts are full.

He was all grins again this morning, and ready to play. He's loving having access to as much food as his belly can hold, tons of toys, sisters to play with and parents that are always there to tickle and cuddle. This little boy is really just the happiest, smiliest little guy. We are lucky.

Today we left the hotel early to go back to the government offices and officially adopt Steven. More tears from Melinda, but as of this morning, that little boy is officially ours!
 

 That little paper says we're a family now.

Adelaide and Eleanor are super serious about

this big sister stuff. Both are being big helpers.

Still best buddies! Steven can't get

enough Dad. He just lights up around Matt. 

Today is also our wedding anniversary! When we got married nine years ago, we knew it was the start of an adventure, though we didn't know where that adventure would take us. Signing the final adoption paperwork for our new son and celebrating with a dim sum lunch was the perfect way to celebrate our life together!

Alas, while the adoption is final, the paperwork is far from over. Tomorrow we bus back out to Puyang, Steven's home city, to apply for his passport. Then, in a few days, we fly to Guangzhou and the US embassy to get his visa. 

But, we're really enjoying our time in China and exploring the local sights (in between signing things). So, we're looking forward to all that is yet to come.

As a farewell on this post, we leave you with some of our favorite "China-isms". A sign outside of our hotel and two baby product labels. See if you can guess what they are.. we love the descriptions.

Don't race with tractors!

While you might think "gier" is a misspelling,

we choose to believe that the writers intentionally 

used a word that meant "vulture, monster, especially hellspawn" 

in their description of a pacifier.  

This name is just way better than nasal aspirator

or bulb syringe. Snuff up mucus machine just says it all!