Monday, November 18, 2013
Gotcha Day
Scott and I spent our first night in Wuhan. I went to bed about 8:30 and Scott crashed at about 10:00. We are such party animals! We were woken up this morning around 5:30am by some chanting. By 6:30am the construction noise started up again. Scott said it had gone on until about 2:30am last night. We discovered that, unlike Beijing, Wuhan never shuts down. Despite being Sunday yesterday, it was business as usual as most stores were open until well after 6pm. Oh! And the chanting – there is apparently a soldiers barracks right behind the hotel. They were welcoming the morning!!
Christina, our guide, told us to meet her in the lobby at 9am this morning. Our appointment to meet Molly was at 10am at the Centre for Inter Country Adoption of Hubei Province in the Office of Civil Affairs. We snapped a picture to commemorate the moment. Nerves were not too bad here.
I was very nervous when we arrived at the building. We went up to the 3rd floor to complete some paperwork. Molly had not arrived yet. There were 4 other children being adopted today as well. The babies all came together in a bus with their nannies. As we finishing up the papers, a couple of the children came in the room – a boy and a girl. I wasn’t sure if it was Molly at first and then I saw it – the little lunchbox we sent in her care package. IT WAS TRULY HER! We rushed to finish signing and went over to meet her. She started to cry and pretty much did not stop for an hour. Our poor little muffin!
Being an emotional person, I thought I would be a mess when they handed her over to us. Well, I managed to keep my composure for the most part. I did get a little upset that she was so sad.
I found out why they don’t allow us to meet the foster family. We were initially told that it was for their privacy but apparently a few years ago a foster mom was so distraught that she was waiting outside the hotel with the baby’s photo in hand. The adoptive parents were pretty freaked out so now they don’t allow contact for the benefit of both parties. I can, if I choose, send cards to the orphanage director and he will forward them to Molly's foster family (who affectionately called her Rong Rong). We also were presented with a few goodies – some baby pictures and a copy of her finding ad. They also gave us some treats – mostly for her I believe. Before we left, they gathered us all together for a group photo. Molly was the only one crying and never stopped. She was still crying when we went to get her visa photo at the police station after we left the office. She stopped for a bit in the car on the way back when she was sitting on Daddy’s knee.
When we got back to the hotel, it was strongly recommended that we remain in the room with her until morning. This is to not confuse her about who we are. She has had many crying fits since we got back to the hotel and we are anticipating a few more. She went ballistic the first time when I tried to take her boots off (She is definitely my girl – red boots with silver sequins!) She had a nap on me (literally) this afternoon and ate her supper on Scott’s knee. We ordered room service and she ate like a trooper. She has a very good appetite.
This evening has been very difficult for her. She has been for the most part inconsolable. She just wants to put her boots on and go. Did I mention she can unlock the door? Luckily, she is not strong enough to open it. I was hoping to put some PJs on her but we changed our minds. Just changing her diaper was traumatic enough for her. (Although she is potty trained, we anticipated and were advised to leave her in diapers – glad I brought some.) Perhaps we will try to change her clothes in the morning.
It’s 8pm and I think she has finally settled down to sleep. It looks like she is sleeping in our bed as she didn’t seem interested in the crib and we weren’t successful attempting to tell her it was her bed. She must be so exhausted. Hopefully tomorrow might be a bit better day…..
Christina, our guide, told us to meet her in the lobby at 9am this morning. Our appointment to meet Molly was at 10am at the Centre for Inter Country Adoption of Hubei Province in the Office of Civil Affairs. We snapped a picture to commemorate the moment. Nerves were not too bad here.
I was very nervous when we arrived at the building. We went up to the 3rd floor to complete some paperwork. Molly had not arrived yet. There were 4 other children being adopted today as well. The babies all came together in a bus with their nannies. As we finishing up the papers, a couple of the children came in the room – a boy and a girl. I wasn’t sure if it was Molly at first and then I saw it – the little lunchbox we sent in her care package. IT WAS TRULY HER! We rushed to finish signing and went over to meet her. She started to cry and pretty much did not stop for an hour. Our poor little muffin!
Being an emotional person, I thought I would be a mess when they handed her over to us. Well, I managed to keep my composure for the most part. I did get a little upset that she was so sad.
I found out why they don’t allow us to meet the foster family. We were initially told that it was for their privacy but apparently a few years ago a foster mom was so distraught that she was waiting outside the hotel with the baby’s photo in hand. The adoptive parents were pretty freaked out so now they don’t allow contact for the benefit of both parties. I can, if I choose, send cards to the orphanage director and he will forward them to Molly's foster family (who affectionately called her Rong Rong). We also were presented with a few goodies – some baby pictures and a copy of her finding ad. They also gave us some treats – mostly for her I believe. Before we left, they gathered us all together for a group photo. Molly was the only one crying and never stopped. She was still crying when we went to get her visa photo at the police station after we left the office. She stopped for a bit in the car on the way back when she was sitting on Daddy’s knee.
When we got back to the hotel, it was strongly recommended that we remain in the room with her until morning. This is to not confuse her about who we are. She has had many crying fits since we got back to the hotel and we are anticipating a few more. She went ballistic the first time when I tried to take her boots off (She is definitely my girl – red boots with silver sequins!) She had a nap on me (literally) this afternoon and ate her supper on Scott’s knee. We ordered room service and she ate like a trooper. She has a very good appetite.
This evening has been very difficult for her. She has been for the most part inconsolable. She just wants to put her boots on and go. Did I mention she can unlock the door? Luckily, she is not strong enough to open it. I was hoping to put some PJs on her but we changed our minds. Just changing her diaper was traumatic enough for her. (Although she is potty trained, we anticipated and were advised to leave her in diapers – glad I brought some.) Perhaps we will try to change her clothes in the morning.
It’s 8pm and I think she has finally settled down to sleep. It looks like she is sleeping in our bed as she didn’t seem interested in the crib and we weren’t successful attempting to tell her it was her bed. She must be so exhausted. Hopefully tomorrow might be a bit better day…..
10 Comments:
HAZA guys! ....and now with Molly you are three!!!!
Sounds like a bit of a rough go so far, but you will get it sorted out I have no doubt. Some separation anxiety was sure to happen. It won't take Molly long to realize how good she has it now with you two.
Loving the updates...can't wait to hear more. (ps, here in North Bay we are having a crazy wind storm...gusting to 90km\hr!)
November 18, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Welcome Molly!
November 18, 2013 at 9:56 AM
I'm super excited and can't stop tearing up every time I read the blog!! Love you all and please give my new niece a hug and kiss from Uncle Chad & Auntie Lynne. Xo
November 18, 2013 at 3:34 PM
Our heart goes out to you. Tanje was the same: the transition was very tough for her. As I type this, she is singing loudly, laughing like a hyena, and having a blast with her sister and my parents. Hang in there: some babies grieve a lot for what was, but she will eventually find out she is in very caring and capable hands (although you might not feel the capable part when the moments are tough!). It's well worth the patient wait : )
November 18, 2013 at 6:31 PM
Welcome new parents Scott and Julie! Molly is just a sweetie pie. Keep the updates going and in no time you will be home. Can't wait to till you are safe and sound at home! xoxo Amy, Denis and Nolan
November 18, 2013 at 10:25 PM
We are so thrilled for you that this day is finally here and you are united with your baby girl. She is clearly capable of forming meaningful attachments since she is having a hard time letting go. I have no doubt this attachment will quickly transfer to you once she sees how loving and generous you both are. And btw - no matter what you hear or people tell you, bedsharing is a beautifully glorious method of forming a trusting, loving attachment with your child. It is not a parenting fail. She will not be graduating highschool and still be in your bed. It shows her you are there for her in her darkest, scariest hour. When her chubby arm reaches for you in the night when she is still asleep but subconiously needs to know you're there, your heart will melt. And there are few greater joys than waking to the smiling face of your baby. We are sending you all our love!!!
November 19, 2013 at 12:02 AM
Congratulations Scott, Julie and Molly! Molly is ADORABLE, and she'll soon know how much she is loved by her two new wonderful parents! Thinking of you all, and wishing you home - Rena
November 19, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Miss Molly is cute as a button! I cannot wait to meet her. As others have said the fact that she is upset is a good sign. Soon she will feel that way about both of you. It must have felt great having her in your arms finally! Did you get the chance to talk to her nanny much? How did the first night go? I hope the week in Wuhan goes well and can't wait to hear more!
November 19, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Am wondering if I will eventually crash your blog site since I am obsessively checking it approximately every 2 minutes throughout the day! We love Molly so much and can't wait until she is home and settled! Keep up the posts of all the adventures while you are there...
love Auntie Laurie xo
November 19, 2013 at 2:08 PM
She will be ok guys, it gets better every day from now on... enjoy it all.. Cant wait to meet Lil Molly. I will dust off my skype account tonight or tomorrow. Talk to you soon.
November 19, 2013 at 8:35 PM
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