Yesterday was such a big day in our lives, we visited his orphanage and finding spot. Again, not too many details in protection of him but want to give you a glimpse. We met our guide at 10am in the lobby and went straight to his orphanage. It has an elderly living facility and children's welfare institute on the same grounds. As we pulled up, there were approximately 10 men and women in wheelchairs with deep wrinkles showing so much wisdom and experience in this world. They were smitten with our girls and welcomed us with smiles. We walked over to the office and were met with more fanfare than you can possibly imagine. Twenty-ish people were talking a million miles a minute and gawking at our girls. They said they didn't look real, just beautiful dolls. That brought a proud smile to this mother's face. The girls looked at us several times to make sure it was all ok because they kept touching their hair and faces and wanting lots and lots of pictures. It's as if they had never seen a Caucasian child before. Mike and I were small potatoes, comparatively!
We toured the grounds and immediately a woman we recognized from Magnus' pictures came running towards him shouting 'Ke Qin, Ke Qin'. Pure love was in this woman's eyes for our son. She took him from me and loved on him. She also covered him with her coat and didn't think I had enough layers on him...see a theme?!
We walked around with her and toured multiple baby rooms, a toddler room, and a foster home. They're currently constructing a new building for the children and without saying much, I couldn't be happier for them. It is very much needed. If anyone has any questions about adoption, I would be more than happy to answer almost any of them. There are SO many sweet and beautiful children who desperately need mommies and daddies. So, so many.
We were unsure if we would bring Magnus inside the orphanage before we left that morning. We thought it was important for him to see his nanny and us together. And for her to see us with him. We were very nervous about how this visit would affect him. Would he be confused? Would he not want to leave his nanny? Would he come back to me? Oh God, please let him come back to me. And you know what....HE CAME BACK!!!! When it was time to say goodbye to his nanny, without hesitation, he reached right back for me. He preferred his mama over this wonderful woman who cared and loved him for a year. But she couldn't give him what I can and I think he already realized that. We spent so much time there and had all of our questions answered and there were a bazillion of them! We were shocked to be given A LOT of baby information that brought tears to our eyes.
We are so grateful for the care he received at his orphanage. I don't know how much better they could have been to him. He was so very loved. Of six large pictures, framed and hanging on the wall in one of the baby rooms, two of them were of him. Two of the six pictures were of our beautiful boy as a young baby. I think that is very telling of how he was adored and I am forever grateful for the woman who protected his heart until I could take it from her. I hope I was able to express my gratitude through tears to his nanny who so selflessly loves these children and continues to say goodbye to them so that they may flourish with a family in this world.
We then went to his finding spot and found out as much information as we could.
We went back to the hotel for the afternoon routine of a nap for Mags and swimming for the girls. Before I put him down, we went with Mike and the girls to take some pics, video and see them do tricks in the water. Magnus loved watching them and belly laughed with amusement of his silly sisters. His mood quickly turned when I went to dip his feet in. Nope, not gonna need those tiny swim trunks and swim cap I brought for him! No sirree!
We went back to the room and he decided that he didn't need a nap again. Oh no!! Luckily, I was able to rock him for a quick 30 minute cat nap. He was surprisingly playful the whole afternoon and evening. We even captured him getting down to Pippi Longstocking music! It was hilarious!! This boy's got moves to match his sisters!! We packed up all of our suitcases and got everyone to sleep...everyone except Mr. Magster. He was having WAY too much fun so we played until 2am. I know most of you will think that is crazy but he is grieving at night and we are trying to minimize his despair. Let's hope he sleeps the whole way on the bullet train to Guangzhou!! On to our next adventure!!
Love,
Stronger Than Ever Duff Family of Six
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