Gotcha Day

July 24th, 2005

Finally! The long-awaited day arrived! So many emotions surround one day, one moment, when three lives intertwine forever.

The day passed quickly, and started with breakfast, then about an hour of sightseeing (actually we were looking for the bank to exchange money). Next, we went to a pre-baby arrival meeting with the other families in our group. The couples who had traveled to Beijing first joined the rest of us who arrived late last night and Simon and Elsie instructed all the excited parents about what we would need to do over the next two weeks.

We were told to meet at the “red couch” at 2:30 to catch the bus to the Adoption Center. We spent the time after the meeting shopping (without buying yet - there’s too much to see) and eating lunch. Everyone was on time at 2:30 (what a surprise!) and we headed to meet our babies. When we arrived at the Adoption Center, one of the mothers caught a glimpse of the nannies carrying babies inside. The babies made the long journey by bus (they left for at least a six hour journey at 5:30 am) from the orphanage and were tired, hot, and hungry when they arrived, but were honestly still very good-natured, considering what they had endured and the stressful changes their lives were taking.

Excitement was evident as it felt like our hearts were beating so hard you could see it pumping, but it was a joyful excitement without fear or stress. It just felt natural and right. We were ready.

When they called our name and brought Marissa into the room, I felt like I (Terri) would cry, but when Marissa came to me, no tears fell because she needed reassurance and calm, not a blubbering mom! Remaining calm for Marissa in no way diminished any of the joy in receiving her, though. It all “just felt right.”

The babies all knew their lives had changed and seemed on “stimulation overload.” Marissa soaked everything sight and sound in. She studies everything with a deep concentration. She came to us without tears and actually smiled at mommy right away. Before leaving the center, daddy got a smile, too. Marissa didn’t cry until we were back at the hotel (and after a thirty minute nap on daddy’s chest). She cried and seemed to be hungry, but refuses to take the bottle because the nipple is different than the one at the orphange. I wish they’d sell those to us! No one’s baby has eaten yet tonight.

Marissa has an upper respiratory infection, and since the doctor gave us antibiotics just in case, we started giving them to her tonight. All the babies from her orphanage are sick with the same cold. She sleeps now, and has been for about an hour. She’ll probably be up all night since she won’t eat!

Marissa is very gentle and loves to be held against your chest and loves to be talked to in a soft, gentle voice or loves you to sing softly to her. Since mommy likes to make up songs, we had a winning combination tonight that came in quite handy when she refused to eat!