May 6, 2013: 9:51pm, Guangzhou, Gotcha Day

May 6, 2013:  9:51pm, Guangzhou, Gotcha Day

This has been the most surreal day of our lives, truly.  We started out the day by going to an electronics store and basically just hanging out, killing time before the “big moment.”  After the electronics store, which was the most impressive, (yet intimidating store on the planet!), we came back to our hotel, ate a quick lunch, gathered our stuff, and headed out to the adoption center.  The feeling I had walking into the adoption center can only be likened to the feeling I have just before walking on stage.  Excited, nervous, and eager. 

There were about 20 other adoptions occurring at the same time. It was all very systematic and organized.  We were there for about 5 minutes, when Zia Mei arrived.  She was wide eyed, and being carried by her main caregiver, along with one other child from her baby home.  About 10 minutes after that, Zhou handed them our paperwork, and they brought our precious tiger princess out.  They stood her up, and we went over to greet her.  I scooped her up, not sure exactly how she would react.  She was a champ!  She just stared and stared at us as I held her.  She didn’t cry at all.  There were several other children crying around her, but she just stared, curiously looking around, surveying the room.  We fell instantly in love, and she took to us both right away.  We were able to ask her orphanage caregivers a few questions, and once our other friends had their new daughter in their arms, that was it.  Done.  Instant parenthood!  What a trip.  Once back at the hotel, Zia immediately went to a big inflatable beach ball, and she and Eric bonded over some “drumming.”  It only took her about 45 minutes to make a sound, and only about 1 hour until we heard her laugh for the first time.  She has the most precious dimple on her right cheek….an adorable surprise since it never showed in any of her photos.  She is also much smaller than we expected.  She’s wearing 6-9 month clothing, despite the fact that she just turned 17 months old.  We were told she is very healthy, smart and loves to laugh.  They told us she is a very happy baby.  What more can you ask for?! 

She took her first bottle easily, and even ate some noodles.  The only time she began to cry was when she became increasingly tired.  She quickly calmed down though once we put her in the Ergo carrier and took an evening stroll around our neighborhood.  She fell fast asleep around 8pm, and is still sleeping soundly.  What an absolute gem. She is well worth the wait.  We couldn’t be happier.  Much love to all,

Crystal