Family Day!!!

Our Family Day was absolutely wonderful. After the previous day's "chaos" we woke up Sunday with a sense of calmness and resolve for the task at hand. For those of you that are parents, it really is the same feeling as the day your child is being born (at least from the Dad's perspective anyway; there are probably different feelings for a Mom in labor!).

We all woke up early. I was wide awake at about 3am and Dana a little bit after that. The day was again rainy and overcast. Here is a view out our window. 

We went down for breakfast around 7:30. As we were getting our food at the buffet, in walks another Caucasian family. I hear the Dad say in a southern accent, "Do you want some milk?" to his daughter. Ah, Americans! It was exactly the little bit of home/comfort that we needed at that moment. Dana called it a "God Wink".  

They came over and joined us at the table and we learned that they were also here to adopt and it was their Family Day too. The poor things had just arrived from TX through Shanghai the night before. They have two little girls ages 6 & 7 and are adopting a 3 year old girl. We became instant friends with them and learned that our rooms are right next to each other. She said another family was coming from their same agency. They are on the same floor as us too. Apparently like to keep us Americans bunched together. 

After breakfast they came and spent much of the morning in our room with us. The girls played together so nicely. It really was a great diversion to what would have otherwise been a long day of waiting and anticipation. 

In the afternoon we all got ready for the big moment. It was hard to not just pace around the room. Dana and I each wrote letters to give him someday. At about 3:30 we had a little family cheer and headed down to the lobby.

We took a few minutes to try to figure out where we wanted to "set up shop". It does make you appreciate the smoking bans back in America because there was quite a few people sitting around smoking. We found a nice little area in the back with some couches where there was a non-smoking sign. We wanted to try to "reserve" the space, but we didn't have anything with us that we were willing to put down and potentially have stolen (not that we don't feel safe here, but you just never know).

We went into the lobby and waited. It was about 3:50 at that point.

Elsie showed up at about 3:55. Within about 2 minutes a van pulled up. The other adopting families had been told a bit later time so we thought this was probably Magnus. Then a little body in red overalls and a pink shirt was taken out of the back. We still weren't sure but within a few seconds he was carried in and we saw those beautiful wandering eyes and we knew that was Magnus. He was actually being carried in by the bellhop (a taller gentleman in a black brim hat). He put him down near us and he walked right over to Dana. No tears! He was mesmerized by the shining lights and sounds all around him. The rest of us were all armed with cameras...even the little girls. They all took amazing video and pictures of the moment. 

We then went back to our couch area and luckily it was still open. The girls were  so good with him. They stayed calm as he tried to make sense of the world around him.  They went through the backpack and pulled out the toys and little crackers we had brought for him.  Dana did try to transfer him to me at one point, but it he clearly started to get upset. The goal is to make him feel as safe as possible, so there was no need to push. 

We went through some questions with the orphanage worker that we wanted to know. We learned about his schedule, likes and dislikes, allergies (none), etc. Guess what, he is semi-potty trained! 

After filling out some paperwork and comforting him, loving on him, and some pictures we were ready to head back to the room. We agreed that I would go with Elsie to the Crazy...I mean Supermarket to get his formula and then stop by a restaurant for some food to bring back. The market was less crazy and I was not really a celebrity like we were when the girls were with us. I got the goods and headed back. 

We enjoyed the delicious food (they put candy sprinkles on the sweet and sour pork). Magnus had about half a banana, but didn't really want much else. Everyone got in their pjs and off to bed. Magnus was a bit on edge, yet still not crying. He did NOT want his shoes taken off. Dana laid him down in the crib and sang him a few songs and off to sleep he went. 

I am sure there are some difficult times to come, but what blissful first day. Thank you all again for the well wishes and prayers.  We really do enjoy reading the comments. Here is my favorite picture so far!

Attaching Family of Six!