Sunday, July 6, 2008

Gotcha Day pictures

Wow, what a day. At 5:25 p.m., I nearly had a heart attack as I was sooooo sooooo nervous. My little panic attack didn't last long and at 5:30p.m. we met Celine our guide and adoption facilitator in the lobby and headed to the civil affairs office. When we arrived, I walked in the door and there she was with her nanny. The building was empty and the lights were off. The only people there were Miya, her nanny, the civil affairs officer (who stayed in his office the whole time) and us. A few minutes later the another orphanage lady arrived with the paperwork. Celine had me sign a few documents and I then had the opportunity to ask questions about Miya. While all this was going on, Miya just sat with her nanny and stared at us. After a few minutes, I started to woo her with the Cheerios and the next thing I knew she was sitting on my lap. A few minutes later we went back to the hotel where I filled out more paperwork. The entire receiving lasted about 20 min.


Here I am on the way to meet her....

















The camera crew....

















I walked in the door and there she was!





















She was very scared and quiet...


















and sooooo cute!



















In my arms at last....





















The drive back to the hotel...
















More paperwork at the hotel...

















Both feeling a little overwhelmed...




















Uncle Dustin, mixing up the meds....
















Her first smiles...
















After a diaper change and bottle, I put her down at 8:30p.m. She went right to sleep and slept until I woke her up at 7:00a.m. Big day for such a little girl. Mommy on the other hand didn't sleep a wink. Everytime she moved I sat up and stared at her. She started to fuss one time and I got up and patted her back and she went back to sleep. :-)


27 comments:

Anonymous said...

SO excited to be the first post today. As I scrolled down each picture I felt like I was going along on the ride with you. The space between each photo, made me want more. I can't wait to hear how miya starts to adapt to everything and everyone. There are going to be so many first for her and yourself. Cherish the moments. You have been bleesed.
missing you guys lots, RYAN.
ps. its 346am I am off to bed!!!

alicat said...

I get up and check your blog first thing in the morning, and then all day long to see if you have posted anything new. And then... surprise, I start bawlin' again.

Oh Sara... you are a mommy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sara & Miya,
What a great way to start the day, having a live chat with you & Miya on the computer.
She's a sweet heart. Pretty neat to see her setting on your lap, smiling, eating cheerios & grabbing your head set cable.
I can't wait to pick you up on the 16th.
Lotsa love
Dad/Grandpa

Headmeister said...

OMG I am LOVING all these pics!!!! I still can't believe I'm staring at pics of you and YOUR DAUGHTER.... unreal.... I am SOOOOOOOO flipping overjoyed for you!!!!! Love ya girl!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you for the photos! She looks so sweet in her little jammies. It's crazy to be on this end waiting and waiting for more pictures. Ellen and I check repeatedly throughout the day. She thinks it's pretty neat as we have so many similar pics of her. Hope Miya is feeling better and that you're able to get out and drink in the sights, sounds, and smells of Miya's province!

Anonymous said...

Howdy Sara and Miya!!
Miya is SOOO CUTE!! We are really happy for you Sara. Time will not be short enough until we get to see Miya in-person :-) Hope she is feeling better quickly.
Have a safe trip back home.

Papa Jer

Anonymous said...

congratulations, Mama! She's adorable!

Heather B

Mei Mei s and Mayhem said...

Sara- She is sooo cute! She looks like she is two years old, so tall!! We love all the pictures, you are glowing. I hope the meds to the trick and she gets to feeling better real soon. Look forward to reading your journal everyday.

Anonymous said...

Oh Sara,
She is so adorable, I love her hair. She has the sweetest little smile.
We are praying that she will be feeling better soon.
Thanks for the pictures, we stalkers are loving them.
Barb

Anonymous said...

Well, it's Monday morning and we're all back to work after the holiday weekend and I'm sitting at my computer BALLING as I scroll through your blog this morning! Oh Sara, she's soooooooo beautiful! And you're so beautiful! Motherhood changes you alright, right down to the core and I can see in your eyes the happiness, uncertainty, pride, the LOVE! I'm so, so excited for you and so grateful that you're sharing this journey with us all!!!!

Stacy Hudson

Anonymous said...

Wow Sara.. your long, long, long journey of waiting is over. Your heart must have been pounding with excitement. Congratulations on everything!!! She is absolutely adorable and you are glowing. Can't wait to see you both!

Erna

Deborah said...

You don't know me...I got the link to your blog on one of my Yahoo groups. We adopted our daughter from Xi'an in February and it gives me goosebumps to see the same office where we got our daughter. Your daughter is beautiful and so incredibly lucky to have been matched to you! We also stayed at the Sheraton and LOVED it! The girls in the restaurant were great with both of our daughters. Try the dumpling restaurant beside the hotel...the one with the cannons in front...it is great! Congrats again and I look forward to seeing more of your journey!!!

Deborah DeBraal, Kingsport, TN

Anonymous said...

Sara Jane!

I'm so excited for you! Hopefully, she gets better soon... What a little peanut! I bet that you are in 7th heaven after all of this waiting!!! Keep on adding the posts! I love to read them!
Sheri

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for playdates! See you soon!!
P.S. My Mom & Dad also check the blog EVERY day (in fact several times) for new posts & pics! Mom cries every time too! She is so excited for you & B to start your new life with your beautiful little girl:)

Anonymous said...

WOW, she is soooo beautiful!!!! Really, truly, gorgeous. You are so blessed to have her.

You're a mom. CONGRATS!!!!

RamblingMother said...

congrats she is beautiful

Anonymous said...

Have been without a computer for e days so couldn't wait to read your updates & see pictures of little Miya. You won her over so fast, Sara. You are a great mom! Now I am Grandpa for the 10th time! Love you, missing Grandma very much.
Can't wait to see you with Miya.

Anonymous said...

She is such a little cutie! It will be fun to she her in person someday. Congratulations ... you'll be great mommy!

Anonymous said...

Sara & miya,

I couldn't wait to get home today and look at new pics!! Miya you are the cutest and we hope that you are feeling better soon. Sara, you have the new mommy glow!! Jackson, thomas, and Brooklyn miss their aunt sara and cannot wait to see their new cousin. We miss you all so much. Love ya!

Lexi

Anonymous said...

Sara & Miya,
You look so happy sara and so does YOUR little girl!!! She is so cute with that fluffy hair. Jackson keeps saying he needs to see his cousin soooo bad.. He just cant wait any longer and either can I.. We LOVE you guys so much and cant wait till the 16th.. Hope peanut feels better soon. Hi Mom and Dustin we miss you guys too so much. You're in our thoughts and prayers.. LOVE YOU!!!
Love Aunt Ariana, Jack And LB

Anonymous said...

Sara and Miya,
I know I am not in the "loop" anymore, but have been reading and anticipating this moment for you. The pictures are wonderful and your "little peanut" looks to be happy on your lap helping with that paperwork. You deserve the love you can give each other.
This is so great!!!
oxoxoxo
LA

Anonymous said...

Sara, awwww, Miya is so cute! Sounds like you are having an awesome trip, can't wait to see you when you get home. Sue :)

Special K said...

Wow! She's amazing, Sara. Just beautiful.

I hope the meds are kicking in and she's starting to feel better. Wishing you lots of good transition/attachment vibes.

~Kristen said...

beautiful pictures Sara!!!

She is such a little peanut.. and just sooooo pretty. Hoping she's starting to feel better. :o)

Glomama said...

So glad you are enjoying the Sheraton. Hopefully that restaurant on the 2nd floor is still there with the cool music playing while you eat. Have you discovered the little patch of grass yet? I laughed so hard about your mom and the fanny pack. I carry one too when I know nobody I know will see me with it! It does hold lots of crap. Your daughter looks precious and you look so happy. Let me know if you make it to the park. I forgot they have birds there that you can feed. My son was terrified of them so heads up as I just remembered that tiny detail......loads of split pants there too. :)

Gloria

Anonymous said...

It made my day to check your blog and see pictures of Miya in your arms. I'm so excited for the two of you and for the rest of us to meet her so soon. Thinking of you. . . .
Jess

kitchu said...

I've just read through all the entries I missed- my god I am just so happy for you guys- she seems to be so happy already!! And bonus on your room at the White Swan!!

Congrats- Miya is precious!!