Gotcha Day!

We finally have her and we are never letting her go. Grace (a.k.a. Gracie) is completely inspiring, totally heartwarming, and absorbingly funny. We thought we hit the jackpot with Katrina and weren't in a karmic position to ask for too much the second time around, but boy did we get more than we could every have dreamed of in little Gracie. It's official, we have won the jackpot twice, so no more wasted money on lottery tickets for me (that really would be greedy to want anything ever again for I have all that I'll ever need in Katrina and Tiffany Grace).

I was so anxious this morning when we arrived at the meeting office. Our guide had us there early, so we had to wait for 20 minutes (it seemed like much longer). When I heard voices in the hall I anxiously said, "is that her?" Minutes later she came toddling into the waiting room. My heart literally expanded three times in a "good" Grinch-like fashion and it was love at first sight. She was nervous at first, but they said she loves to snack so try to feed her. I said, "well it's obvious she's my child." I pulled out the snacks and that was all it took. The next thing you know, she was sitting in my lap munching cheerios and organic fruit bars (good thing I brought snacks). After a few photos the social worker (Ida) told Gracie that she was going to leave and asked her if it was okay, she nodded yes and that was it. No tears at all. Amazing, I know.

We brought her back to the hotel where we had lunch, which was an experience. One would think the menu choices (braised dog, seared frogs and turtle connective tissue -- prepared many ways -- I am not making this up) and the language barrier would be the most adventurous portion of the meal, but Gracie won that honor hands down. She loves to explore everything and wants to taste and touch it all. She loves all veggies (thanks to the Choos for exposing her to so many vegetables and fruits)! I hardly got to eat because every few seconds she was saying "Ma Ma" and pointing at some other vegetable she wanted me to feed her.

After lunch we ventured outside (no chance of a nap, but we tried). Gracie loves to be on the go. We went to a grocery store and a nice department store. The department store had a great play section for the children and Katrina and Grace had a blast playing in it. They played in the ball pit, slid down the slide, jumped on the trampoline and climbed up and down the stairs. Katrina's socks were black and I did a great impersonation of a mother without germ phobias.

After shopping we returned back to the hotel room. We were finally able to get Grace to take a nap (we all took a nap . . . I was tired from lack of sleep since we arrived). She looked precious in her crib with all the soft stuffed animals and silky blankets and pillows we brought from home.

Later we watched some of Grace's Hi Five videos (a gift from the Choos), which she absolutely adores. She was so happy watching them laughing and smiling the whole time. Then we played with all her new toys and she seemed to love all of them. She has the best belly laugh you will ever hear. I have added a video clip where she is laughing at Katrina pretending to hit Joe on the head and Joe acting very silly in response.

This is a picture of Grace and Katrina holding hands on the bus ride back to the hotel after our initial meeting. Isn't it priceless?

After play time we had dinner in the room. Grace once again ate very well and seemed to like most everything. She did keep interrupting her meal to walk around the room to gather various toys. She was so comfortable just toddling around getting whatever she wanted. She's very independent in a good way.

When we finished dinner it was bath time, which I was very nervous about given my being forewarned by the Choos and Grace's social worker that she hates baths. So, I had Katrina go in the tub with her and I pulled out the bath crayons (you can color on the tub and walls) and Katrina showed her how to do it. She jumped happily into the tub and started coloring her heart out. She splashed and laughed and didn't even mind having her hair washed (good thing I brought the special bath bucket which prevents water from going into her face). Not a single tear was shed. What a relief.

With her bath over, we got ready for bed. We applied lotion and powder, brushed her teeth and blow dried her hair. Her hair is so cute. It's curly! I love it. I think it is so special and totally unique just like her. After that it was bed time. It took her a little while to fall asleep, but she never cried she just chattered away in her crib saying all kinds of things. Just talking about her day and her new family I guess. The babble sounded happy, so I'm taking that as a good sign.