We started the day with a nice breakfast at Casa Alianza. Our in-country coordinator (ICC) said she would pick us up at 10:00 a.m., and then we would head over to the Technical Adoptions Unit (TAU) to pick up the social worker, and then finally to Casa Hogar (E's orphanage). When she didn't show up at 10:00 I chalked it up to culture. At ten after I started getting antsy. At 10:15 I started grilling Ryan, making sure I had heard right when she said 10:00 a.m. At 10:20 I gave her a call just to confirm we were still on for "10:00 a.m.". She said, "Yes of course, I will be there in 20 minutes."
When she finally arrived, she was excited and in a good mood. She told us that she could hardly sleep last night because she is so excited for us! We stopped at the TAU to pick up the social worker and went right to the orphanage. Our ICC said that initially we will have some formalities and speak with care givers about E's likes/dislikes, routines and such. However, as we walked around the corner, she also came walking through the front door!
It was a lot for all of us all at once.
She is very shy. And very much attached to her "tía".
We spent a couple hours with her at the orphanage. She continued to be very shy. When the "tía" took out her photo album that we sent a few months ago, you could tell that she was familiar with it. They told us that they have been working very hard with her and telling her that her mamita and papita were coming.
It took everything in me not to pick her up and just squeeze and kiss her like crazy. She was also a bit less shy with Ryan than she was with me, so I really would've scared the pants off her. She let Ryan hold her, and she sat on his lap and let me play ball with her.
Later we took her to the plaza, which is located next door to the orphanage. We were accompanied by our ICC, the TAU social worker, and "tía". Ryan bought lunch for everyone, and E sat on my lap and let me feed her. By now, any time Ryan walked away she was straining her neck to find him. She didn't talk much the entire day. I asked several times if she talked, and they assured us that she did indeed.
After lunch the TAU gal said that she and our ICC were leaving, but she thought it would be a good idea to bring E to Casa Alianza, and that "tía" would accompany us. We were trilled. Once in our room, "tía" was talking to E about all her things that we brought for her. She pulled out all of the books and wanted to sit down and read right away! She also pulled out every single piece of clothing to take a closer look. Then we went for a walk to a nearby park. She did not want to play necessarily, but she wanted to take daddy by the hand and lead him all over the park.
"Tía" thought the bonding was going so well, she decided to leave her with us and go back to the orphanage. We don't know what that means necessarily, but she's here! She's with us! She's snoozing her little head off right next to me!!!
When she finally arrived, she was excited and in a good mood. She told us that she could hardly sleep last night because she is so excited for us! We stopped at the TAU to pick up the social worker and went right to the orphanage. Our ICC said that initially we will have some formalities and speak with care givers about E's likes/dislikes, routines and such. However, as we walked around the corner, she also came walking through the front door!
It was a lot for all of us all at once.
She is very shy. And very much attached to her "tía".
We spent a couple hours with her at the orphanage. She continued to be very shy. When the "tía" took out her photo album that we sent a few months ago, you could tell that she was familiar with it. They told us that they have been working very hard with her and telling her that her mamita and papita were coming.
It took everything in me not to pick her up and just squeeze and kiss her like crazy. She was also a bit less shy with Ryan than she was with me, so I really would've scared the pants off her. She let Ryan hold her, and she sat on his lap and let me play ball with her.
Later we took her to the plaza, which is located next door to the orphanage. We were accompanied by our ICC, the TAU social worker, and "tía". Ryan bought lunch for everyone, and E sat on my lap and let me feed her. By now, any time Ryan walked away she was straining her neck to find him. She didn't talk much the entire day. I asked several times if she talked, and they assured us that she did indeed.
After lunch the TAU gal said that she and our ICC were leaving, but she thought it would be a good idea to bring E to Casa Alianza, and that "tía" would accompany us. We were trilled. Once in our room, "tía" was talking to E about all her things that we brought for her. She pulled out all of the books and wanted to sit down and read right away! She also pulled out every single piece of clothing to take a closer look. Then we went for a walk to a nearby park. She did not want to play necessarily, but she wanted to take daddy by the hand and lead him all over the park.
"Tía" thought the bonding was going so well, she decided to leave her with us and go back to the orphanage. We don't know what that means necessarily, but she's here! She's with us! She's snoozing her little head off right next to me!!!
7 comments:
I am just in tears reading this. She's with you! You're her mom and dad! She's your pequeña niña! Thank you for the happy tears today.
I'm glad the first day has gone well! We look forward to reading more about your visits with her.
Jes, this brought tears to my eyes. I love being along with you all on this journey through your blog and I am stalking it like a crazed woman:-) It is such a relief to know that some cultures "love" their kids enough to nourish their emotions, as part of the whole picture. Keep these wonderful posts coming!
Sounds like and awesome first day! Congrats to you all!
Jes - How amazing - I am so thrilled for you guys!
Jes, it is so exciting following you along your journey. Thanks for letting me. Tears, tears, tears for you once again, but this time they are tears of joy.
Jes, So very happy for you guys, what a wonderful day!
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