Monday, February 16, 2009

Gotcha!

If you smile at me I will understand, cause that is something everybody everywhere does in the same language. - Crosby, Stills, and Nash; Jefferson Airplane, Wooden Ships

......and smile he does!

With butterflies in my stomach we headed over to the Civil Affairs office at about 1:00 this afternoon. We were the first to arrive. Shortly after we got there a nanny and orphanage director arrived with a little girl who was going to be adopted today also. Brian and I anxiously awaited Wen's arrival and carefully watched out the big window waiting for him to arrive. Then, there they were, two women holding each of his hands turning the corner. They came through the doors and Wen walked right over to me! I offered him a little stuff monkey, but he was a little unsure of it. I think he wasn't sure if it was real! Then I pulled out the trains....he loved them. He continued to inspect EVERYTHING in the room! He even tapped me on the arm and pointed to the baby across the room. He was very curious about everything around. He was accompanied by the head nanny who told us that he is very smart. We quickly came to the same conclusion. He imitates everything you do and you only have to show him once how to do something. He's even learned how to work the remote for the T.V.!! When he arrived he was wearing a hearing aid in his left ear. The nanny said "mama" and he quickly repeated it. So it seems that he does have some hearing and is benefiting from his hearing aid. He also seems to really like wearing it. I'm glad I didn't have to fight that battle. I asked about the hearing in his other ear and they told us that it's about the same. Needless to say as soon as possible he'll be wearing some top of the line digital hearing aids- in both ears! It doesn't seem like he has a lot of expressive language at this point. I also think he may need glasses! He tends to hold things very close to his face while he examines them. So we'll definately be getting his eyes checked too. He also has a bit of a cold.

While we were at the Civil Affairs office we needed to go upstairs to take a family picture. I put out my hand to hold his and he immediately took my hand and started walking with me! He then let me pick him up and carry him up the stairs. We came back down, asked the nanny a few more questions. They presented us with two books filled with pictures and information about him. We will definately need to get that translated right away. They also gave me a braclet made of little crystal balls and told me that Lianyungang city (where he is from) is know for their crystal. Needless to say I was extremely touched by the gesture. Then it was time to leave. The nanny waved to him, blew him a kiss, and he in turn did the same. We left the office with him in my arms :)

Just before getting back to the hotel Wen fell asleep (he probably needed to close his eyes too so he couldn't see crazy driving that goes on here!). He was only asleep a couple of minutes when we got here. Brian carried him out of the van and brought him up, but he didn't stay sleeping. We got back to the room, our guide showed him the potty, and then took Brian down to the grocery store to get some snacks for him. She was very concerned about us feeding him! She told us what to order from room service and that she thought we should give him an early dinner....which we did! Boy can this boy eat. He ate 4 wontons and two bags of cookies! He even shared his cookies, feeding one to each of us. In the room we all played and were constantly amazed at how incredibly smart he is. He also is very proud of himself when he figures things out and turns to you with the biggest smile on his face. He smiles a lot and has the cutest little dimple in his right cheek! Through the night he spontaneously said "mama" and he will repeat it every time you say it to him. He also has wonderful fine motor skills. We were very impressed with his coloring! He colors the smallest little things on the page and pretty much stays in the lines! We also gave him a bath tonight. He was wearing three pairs of pants (two quilted and one regular, three shirts (two quilted and a sweater), and a jacket!!!! Tomorrow I will post a picture of them. I didn't want to lay them on the bed to take a picture and have him want them back on! Another funny thing to note, when he arrived he was holding a Mentos candy in his hand. He held on to that thing all the way home, through his bath, and the whole time we played, until he finally asked Brian to open it! At about 7:30 we could see that he was getting tired and was starting to look a little sad, so we shut the lights. That's when he started to cry. I held him on the bed, rocked him, and rubbed his back. He only cried for about 5 minutes, and at one point looked at me and smiled :) He quickly fell asleep. Here are some pictures from the day! I am wiped out, but thankful for a good day, and thus far easy transition, and hoping for a good night's sleep!

Our first glimpse of Wen turning the corner

We meet at last! Not too sure about the monkey!




He loves those cups!
His first bath. He was much skinnier without all his layers of bulky cloths!
Having fun with Dad
Look at that smile....and that dimple!
Have you ever seen a three year old color this good???

22 comments:

Lisa said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Oh Melissa I am sitting here sobbing like a baby for you guys.How perfect!! Owen was meant for you guys. He is adorable, and Ella is gonna love him..as are Jason and Bri... but you know what I mean. I am so glad that the first day went that smoothly. Sending lots of hugs and kisses to you all!!!
Love
Lisa

Heidi and Jason said...

Oh My! Owen is so beautiful. Love that smile! We are so very happy for you guys. We hope you are having as much fun as we are! We are excited to see you in Guanzhou, I think Tai and Owen will be great friends! See you soon, Heidi and Jason

Anonymous said...

All I can say is WOW!!! How wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Melissa and Brian! He is precious. I am so glad things are going so well for you. Looking so forward to meeting him... and I am sure Josh will be thrilled to have some more testosterone at the Thursday playdates :-) He is too cute, love the dimple. Love, Trish

Michelle said...

Oh, Melissa. All your prayers have been answered! He is absolutely adorable -- I loved those dimples the moment I saw them in his photos!! How wonderful that he shares his smile (and those dimples) so quickly! Owen knows he is finally HOME in his Mommy and Daddy's arms.

Joanne said...

Happy tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face :) We are all thrilled for you and so happy Owen has his mommy & daddy at last. What a wonderful post and a great day!! The pictures are gorgeous and so touching ~ he really is a "little handsome"!
I'm sure Michelle is thinking the same thing as me "one dimple on his right cheek" - just like Mia & Meg ~ AMAZING!!!!
Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

He is one handsome little (big) guy. Finally Owen unites with his Mom & Dad. He looks like an Owen! I am so happy for you guys and cannot wait to meet him.
love,
Laura

Anonymous said...

Hey Melissa--it's Ange again. The tears are streaming down my face. How brave this little boy is and how LUCKY!!!! To see your pictures of him actually walking in the street to his new life is a bit overwhelming even for an outsider like me. I can't imagine how you and Brian were feeling. Continued "smiles" to all of you. Now I bet you can't WAIT to come home!!! See you soon.

Michelle said...

I was just looking at your photos one more time (Meg can already tell you about each photo!) and it hit me how large Brian's snile is in every photo!! I have no doubt as to your feelings, but it is obvious Daddy is head over heels in love too!! I have a feeling we'll be seeing lots of photos of Daddy and his new little man. I am so happy for both of you!

Anonymous said...

YEAH! He is so adorable, and looks so happy to be with you. Love his smile! We are so happy for you all and can't wait for future posts to see more pictures (and videos, please) of you three.
Joanne C.

Rebecca Lily said...

Melissa, you were the first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning. :) I am so unbelievably happy for you all! Owen is amazing and it looks like he has just settled right in with his new parents - giving you smiles the first day even! FABULOUS! The pictures are beautiful. He is such a handsome little boy! Congratulations to your sweet family!

Blessings,
Rebecca

Vicky said...

Congratulations !! He is adorable!

Vicky

kathy sag said...

Brian and Melissa, He looks sooooo wonderful. So happy he is finally in your arms. cant wait to meet the little guy. our thoughts and prayers are with you as you make your journey back home with your new son...xoxox

Leslie Z social worker said...

so thrilled for your family!!! He is abobsolutely adorable. Enjoy the rest of your time in China and looking forward to meeting your newest addition!
Best regards,
Leslie

Andrea said...

WoW! What a great day!
he is beautiful.

Andrea

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Congratulations! I thought of you last week knowing you had left for China. What a beautiful sight to see Owen with you and your husband. Congratulations!

I never get tired of seeing another child and family blessed by the gift of adoption and feel incredible emotion each time.

Praying Owen's transition will go smoothly and that you'll savor each moment of this new journey.

Best wishes~
Lisa Osborn
(friend of Christine's)

Anonymous said...

WOW you must be besides yourselves with joy and love !!!!! So happy your dream is now a reality for all of you .This is incredible , love to all of you !

Love,
Erika

Kelley said...

Congratulations! He is adorable :) Glad to hear your first day together went so well. Love the ITE!

Jodee said...

Congratulations! He is just adorable!

Anonymous said...

I just got home from Vermont and couldn't wait to get on the computer to see Owen! What a beautiful little boy with a great smile. I am so happy for you all and look forward to tomorrow when I can see more pictures of him. Enjoy your time there and remember we are all thinking of you at home.
Love,
Angela

Waitingfaithfully said...

Melissa and Brian,

Congratulations on your sweet little man! Oh what a smile, and what a precious first day you had with Owen! The Lord obviously prepared his heart to meet his mama and baba! I am so very happy for your family!

Blessings from Texas
Tina
(Mama to Teddi . . . Meaghan Grace's Zhuhai "sister")

earladybon@aol.com said...

Melissa

Great Blog/Story.
\
Let me know if you need some help with the h/aids.
Bonnie