Today we met Zac! We finished some paperwork this morning, and then at about 2:30pm we met our guide to head to Chongqing International Adoption Center. I can't tell you how surreal it was! Getting ready, riding down the hotel elevator, driving over in the van... It just didn't seem real! There were three couples including us there today. After a little while, the caregivers and orphanage assistant director came walking the children in. The second child was our little Zac! The caregiver was pointing to DeAnna and saying, "Mama, mama." She let Zac go and he walked to DeAnna! It was really amazing! He was very calm. DeAnna was crying, but Zac was just taking it all in. She asked the caregiver if he was always this calm, and she said he had actually been crying since they left the orphanage, and stopped just as he met DeAnna! We spent time asking questions... His caregiver has been with him since he came to the orphanage. What does he like to eat? What is his favorite toy? etc. He seemed truly content, not terrified. He loves Zoe and followed her with his gaze wherever she went. He's not scared of me, but he preferred DeAnna. We signed some paperwork, thanked his caregiver for her love and care, and within 45 minutes we were driving away. He was also calm on the way back to the hotel. Once we got back, we all played with him and talked to him. I was able to make him laugh a lot (it's a gift!). We fed him a bottle and later some baby food. He had some quality time with DeAnna while I went off to make an attempt at ordering Papa Johns in Chinese. I did pretty well, although Zoe was asleep by the time I got back! We gave Zac his first bath (which he did not like one bit!) and got him ready for bed. Now he's stretched out asleep. What a day! I have to say, it couldn't have gone much better! He really seems comfortable with us. Tomorrow we go back to the center to complete paperwork. Thursday we are visiting his orphanage, and by Friday we will collect all the finalized provincial paperwork and fly off to Guangzhou to get ready to meet with the consulate.
Those are amazingly sweet pictures, especially of Zac & Ken. We are so thankful this chapter in y'all's journey has ended (the waiting) and a new chapter is just beginning (family of 6). Our prayers and love are with you all!
ReplyDeletePs. The girls wanted to tell Zoè how much they miss her.