7/22/08 - Update: Day 1 as a mommie of 2

Wow! What a day. Honestly, I''m not sure how it could have gone any better. First we got up early, but everyone slept well and rose in good spirits. At the hotel breakfast we meet other couples who had recently received their children. Several had "the baby cried for the first four hours" story, which really scared me because we had to visit all the officials as well as receive DS2 today.

But let me step back, on the way to breakfast we ran into our adoption handler, and when we walked into the restaurant she was called away. She returned as we were finishing our breakfast and told us the other couple traveling with unexpectedly received their baby 3 hours early! After hearing this we were reluctant to leave the hotel for a walk. So we went to our room, played with DS1 and tried to deal with the tension of the last few moments. DH and I found common ground in being much nicer with each other today.

At 10:20 am we went to the appointed place, but it looked like the hotel was setting up for some sort of cosmetic company function. A hotel guy tried to tell us to stay in the room, but his English was weak, our Chinese is pathetic, so we decided to go to the lobby. As we were coming out of the elevator, DS2 was walking toward us holding hands with a nanny (note, "nannies" is what the orphanage nurses are called). I was shocked, so was DH, and DS1 didn't get it at first. We let them go to the room and then followed a few minutes later - its important to follow protocol on these things.

When we entered, he was sitting in a chair between the Nannie and a man from the orphanage. We shook hands and then DS1 gave DS2 a panda bear. He was a bit unsure about us, but he was totally interested in DS1. We broke the ice by sharing puffs. He is all boy, food was definitely the way to his heart. We were all playing and the agency facilitator started asking my list of questions. Suddenly I remembered the photos and notes several of you sent with me to share. I pulled those out and explained, and the team from the orphanage was so, so immensely happy. As soon as they saw the photos they said the children's names without me noting the names written on the back of the photos. They LOVED receiving the updates!

Eventually it was time for the orphanage people to leave, and when they did, DS2 said bye bye without a tear. We had to stay and fill out a bit of paper work, then headed to the room for family time.

Upstairs, he was passed his meal time, so we ordered congee (water rice dish) and a ton showed up and he ate it all, steaming hot. Then he shared DS1's french fries, my noodles, a banana and we open a package of chocolate chip graham cracker bear cookies. The kid ate until he crashed at 7:30 pm this evening. Unfortunately, no poopie, so I know what to look for in the morning!

So what we know - he has a raspy cough, but only coughs once in every great while, but the nannie asked me to start antibiotics, so I did. He has a couple bruises on his feet from shoes that don't fit well. He has a few blister like cuts on two fingers. He has a big birth mark on his bottom. His lip and palette repair look phenomenally good.

He is ticklish. Very! He has an awesome giggle and enjoys trying to imitate all the motor boat and car sounds that DS1 throws at him. He smiles and giggles to himself as well as with us. He won't let me get more than 2 feet away, which means he stands beside me while I pee. He only want me to feed him, but he can feed himself as well. When he cries, his whole face distorts just like DS1. He only has cried when I step more than 2 feet away.

He loves the stacking toys and moving water about in the bath. He has a huge head and weak muscle tone. While he can walk, but if he tips over while sitting, he can't easily get back up and cries for help. He has a mouth full of teeth and chews well. He sucks from a bottle (this is major for a kid with cleft!!) but the nipple of the bottle that he came with has been cut rather open (starred through the top). When his is picked up he doesn't hold you back; but by the end of the day he was wrapping one arm against me and wresting his head on me.

He fits in 12 month clothes although he is almost two years old. But if he continues to eat like today, only 18 month clothes will be the way to go. His hair is stiff and dark, but I hope it will soften with nutrition. His head is huge - another reason we'll have to do 18 months.

DS1 has been awesome! On the bus on the way to all the meetings he had to sit with me and DS2. DH is being a touch left out, but very cool about it. DS1 and DHwent swimming while I gave DS2 a bath. At the meeting at the consulate, it was very interesting because the people from the orphanage where there. DS2 was happy to see them and lighted up with laughter when he saw them, but he stayed with us and didn't cry at all when we separated. Some how he knows. DS1 was a bit concerned. He said, "why is he with his other mommie, doesn't he want my mommie" I told him it was good for him to see his friends, and sure enough, after a 2 minute hello he was back to play with the toys, watch DS1 and cuddle with me.

Like I said, what a day! Thank you for all your thoughts and wishes, the positive energy totally reached us today! No worries, photos coming later.