Yesterday at 4:30 pm we met Zi Yuan! I don't think either of us has ever been so nervous or excited as when we were riding down that elevator. The orphanage director brought him to our hotel in Zhengzhou, about an hour and a half ride from where he was living in Luoyang. I fully expected tears....but we saw the biggest brightest smile ever! He was as happy to see us as we were him. They asked him who we were and he said "Mama and Baba". He came right with us holding our hands up to the room so that we could all sit down and talk. He brought a bag with him that had the picture album we sent along with the letter and a camera. Then we gave him his backpack with a few toys and he was so happy! He especially LOVES his spiderman sunglasses and K-State ballcap. Then he asked our coordinator if he could see his new clothes...he know how this works! We got one outfit out and he said (in Chinese) "beautiful"! The orphanage director and nanny stayed for just a little while so that we could ask them some questions through our guide about him, and then they were off. He didn't even watch them leave. Our coordinator gave us a few Chinese words she thought were important for us to have (e.g. bathroom, hungry, etc.) and we were on our own. We got him changed into some new clothes and headed down for dinner. Afterword, we came back up to the room and played some more. He is so funny and sweet! We had a blast. We called Grandma Draper and Grandma and Grandpa Harris on Skyppe, and he thought that was the greatest thing. He is just a little sponge, picking up on everything we do. His first English word last night was apple, and he also learned Bye-Bye. When we try to speak to him in the few Chinese words we know...he just gives us a puzzled look or laughs. He seems to understand us better if we just speak in English and then point or motion. He slept pretty well last night after all the excitement, from around 9:30 until around 6:30 this morning....he got up once and told Shawn he needed to use the bathroom. I slept more than the nights before, but still kept waking up to check on him.
Today, we went to the registration office to do some paperwork and then to take photos. I wish I would have known -- I was in a hurry this morning and didn't even fix my hair :) We will go back this afternoon to pick up some paperwork (that's about all I know, it was all in Chinese), and tomorrow will be a free day.
3 comments:
That is wonderful news that the transition went smoothly. He sounds like such a sweet kid! I'm so very happy for you all!
It seems to be pretty hard to not look at these photos without crying. And I don't know that I have ever seen the two of you so happy. This is one very proud mother and grandmother!
I was also getting choked up looking at the pictures and reading all about Tyler. Sounds like he was so ready to meet you both...I can only imagine he has thought about that moment his whole little life. He sure is a lucky boy and I am so happy for you both. Kids are such an amazing blessing. Congratulations! I look forward to reading more about your journey and am excited to see you guys when you get home.
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