GOTCHA & ADOPTION DAY

At 9:00 am we met Miranda in our hotel lobby. We drove about 10 minutes from our hotel. It was literally just down a block and turn right. We go into the small office (temporary) of the Civil Affairs building. There was an American family there that was working on the final papers of their new son that is four years old. They had their six year old son also with them and the father's mother. The bio son did not understand why he could not be in the photo for the adoption decree. It was so sad to see him cry because he "was not special." This is not what his family was telling him but it how he perceived it. Miranda asked us why we did not bring Hannah while he was sitting with his grandmother crying. I looked over at him and said "because of that." If a six year old does not understand how much would a three year old?

We waited for about an hour for them to show up to the office. There was a traffic jam on their way. Then there he was. He is so cute. He was very shy. I did not want to push myself on him right away so I just beside him and held his hand for awhile. The nanny kept looking at me and talking to Miranda. I think she thought I did not want him since I was not holding him right away. Miranda came over and told me I could hold him. We had to go to a photo shop to get the family photo made. While we walked out the nanny picked Ethan up and carried him. I do not think she wanted to let him go. After awhile he started to warm up to us.

We went to eat lunch. There is an Italian restaurant in our hotel. We both got pizza. Ethan loved it. I would take his plate away because he would put so much food in his mouth at one time. I was afraid he might choke. He would stick out his bottom lip and look like he was about to cry. I stopped taking the plate away after that. He is laughing. Greg really makes him laugh but then again who doesn't laugh at Greg. :)

I did give him a bath. I know that they suggest that you do not do this on the first day but he really did not smell well. After the bath though we realized it is his breath. I believe he has a cold. He is coughing some. Right now he is asleep as is Greg. Also, he is much smaller than the measurements they sent us. Even the 2Ts I brought are too big for him. He is small. There is some development delay as well. I am not worried. Once we get him home he should catch up just like Hannah did.

They did bring some of the toys and clothes that we sent him in the care package. He has been carrying the ball around with him the whole time. He took his bath with it and is sleeping with it. He really likes it. Another thing he likes is looking at himself in the mirror and cameras. He likes that he can see himself in the picture. I hope you enjoy the pictures.