Gotcha Day!

Ruby, Mommy, & Daddy at the beautiful Ekman Resort

Day 2. We got to pick up our baby and take her with us. We became a family. It was as if time stood still and nothing and no one else in the world existed at that time. (You can read the full story of our first 2 days in Thailand HERE). We had paperwork to do in the office. I was getting anxious and just dying to see her. Finally, they saw my restlessness and excitement and told me I could go ahead and go back. I starting walking, then picked up the pace, till I was nearly running to get to the back of the building where she was. And then I stopped. The site of her took my breath away. I approached, more slowly now. I said hello in Thai and opened my arms out to her. She smiled when she saw me and reached her arms up for me to pick her up! My heart may have skipped a beat, but I didn't. I picked her up immediately and held her tight. I spoke softly in as much Thai as I could remember. Daddy joined us shortly and I changed her into the clothes we brought for her. She seemed pleased with her new things - especially the shoes! The next 1/2 hour or so is a blur as all I thought about was that the moment had finally come. She could leave with us and begin life with a family!

We said our sad goodbyes. To the nannies, the director, and her sweet friend Nachan. That was the hardest of all. We headed to the car mixed with feelings of love, loss, joy, and sadness - for her beginnings and the life of every child seen and unseen those 2 days. And then peace. A calm peace washed over me as I held her in my arms in the car. Our friend, Anna, summed up the moment best. She looked back at us and said "No words, Jenny. No words." She was right. There were no words to describe that feeling. First I gave her a bottle and then she drifted off to sleep. When she woke a half hour later she looked out the window with wonder at her new surroundings. Didn't seem scared at all, but moreover, intrigued by it all. This was a glimpse of her personality that we would soon come to know well. She sees the world with such wonder. She treats every new thing like an opportunity for fun. She wakes with a smile. She cares about the people around her. She goes with the flow and sees the beauty in all of it. What amazing qualities for a child to have. So much we learn from her every day.

Today we aren't doing anything special. Probably just a nice Thai dinner somewhere followed by coming home to watch the new Tinkerbell movie Jeff wants to pick up for her. But today IS special. In a beautiful, quiet, special little way. For we will never forget that beautiful day, a year ago, when this loving little girl became our daughter...forever.