Daddy Diaries: Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day. This was the event we traveled over 7000 miles to have take place. We were finally going to get Alexis as a new daughter and sister. As you read in the previous post, we spent some time keeping our minds busy going to Wal Mart, but it was hard to not think about all that the afternoon would have in store for us. We took a private van to the district office where the orphanage director would meet us with Alexis. We expected a long ride, like every other ride we seem to take in China. But, it was only a few minutes and we were there. After some wrangling at the gate between the driver, David, and the security guards, we were allowed to drive into the compound to be let off at the door instead of on the street.

Walking up the marble stairs and through the glass doors of the office was pretty nerve-racking. The young boy for the family we were with was standing in the main entry hall with his nanny. They pointed to a little room off to the side for us to find Alexis. And find her we did. She was gripping the little electronic voice recorder that we sent with out picture in it. Both her orphanage director and nanny were sitting with her pointing to the pictures and then to us.SSF_5053

It didn’t take long and Monica was in tears. Tears of joy, mind you. She was torn between wiping her eyes and reaching out to Alexis. Alexis, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure about the whole ordeal. I quickly set up the video camera on the tripod in the corner so nobody had to hold it and began snapping pictures with the Nikon.

Alexis would point to one of us in the little picture and then to the one of us that matched. She recognized us. Now, we were beginning the long process of her getting comfortable with us. The nanny and director were very compassionate people who you could tell loved Alexis. They were doing their best to get her to adjust to us well enough to move through the day.

We left the room and moved into the bigger hall where Christian began to take over. He played with Alexis as is he had a little sister for years. They played with the little toy cell phone we bought at Wal Mart (at David’s suggestion) and the little purple soccer ball they had at Wal Mart that matched the one in the picture we received of Alexis in the beginning. They spent a lot of time following each other in the foyer.SSF_5078

Monica and I spent the entire time following the two of them around and doing our best to exchange looks, words, and touches with Alexis in the hopes that she would feel comfortable with us. It was funny the way she would cut her eyes at us trying to figure us out. We could tell already that Alexis is a very strong willed young lady. One, that fits well into our house where I’m the only passive one <cough, cough>, and two, this will help her in the future as she has many surgeries that lie ahead to repair her cleft lip and palate. I did forget to mention that part. She has cleft lip and palate. They did not repair it before our arrival, which we were glad to see. We have many appointments lined up upon our return to the states to get the process started.

We filled out papers swearing to take care of her for the next 24 hours while everyone settled into the new family makeup. Some more tears of happiness were shed during this process.  With some pictures taken for the province, the orphanage, and for us, we ended our roughly 90 minute “get to know each other” event. It was back to the hotel and our first dinner and night together. Tomorrow is Registration Day. That means the adoption is finalized with the Chinese government, and she’s all ours.

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6 thoughts on “Daddy Diaries: Gotcha Day

  1. Can’t wait for all of you to come home. So many years of stress with such a positive result.. Well, I’m just happy for all four of you.

    Michael

  2. Praise The Lord, I have been looking forward to your Daddy Diaries, I see a book in the making!!!!

  3. All I keep doing is getting that heart tug at every picture I see of Monica and Alexis! That’s her baby from the moment you got the call.. Well even before then! I know that tug, I know that look in those pictures, that peice that is finally plugged into the family! And you can’t describe it— it’s just supernatural! Side note: I have a little boy over here in the states who is already smiling at this little girl Scott!! Get ready! We are looking at all the pictures and Judah can’t wait to meet Alexis! Enjoy every moment guys and we pray for continued bonding and safe travels home! Luke, Alisha and Judah

  4. Thank you, Michael. It means a lot to all of us that you have stuck with us all these years and are even holding down the fort for us in our absence. We look forward to being home next week and introducing you personally to Alexis.

  5. Not sure about a book, Diane, but maybe I can save these (and the comments) as PDFs and have Lulu bind them all for us. Thank you for the idea.

  6. Thank you, Alisha. Monica was so glad to read your reply and know you’re following along. She was happy to get to talk to you before we left, too. She was more worried about you than our trip, but you know how she is.

    Thank you and the family for the prayers. I can see Chick Fil A play days in the near future for Alexis and Judah.

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