We're a Family of Four!

Well, we're officially a family of four! At 3:00 this afternoon, we headed to a government office building. We were then guided into a 4th floor conference room where at least 10 or more other families were all anxiously waiting to meet their children. I could tell which families were going to be first time parents because they had the same nautious-deer in the headlights look that I had almost 3 years ago when we adopted Maya.The room was very warm and we were told that our wait would be slightly extended because there was a very important orphanage official present who would be addressing the group with a speech. By the end of his speech, Maya was so anxious and overheated that I really thought she was going to pass out. She was wet with sweat and her eyes were gazing in and out of focus. We were really concerned.

Considering we were the last to arrive in the room, we thought that we would be last to meet our child. WRONG! As soon as the speech was finished, they called out "Hua Chun Shao"...oh my gosh...this was us! We rushed to the other side of the room and in front of all of those people, met our beautiful son for the first time. Wow, how much Shao has changed from his pictures that hang on our refrigerator. He has grown up so much and has a beautiful thick head of hair. He is incredibly handsome and so beautiful, and we can tell that he has received excellent care in his foster home. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for his foster family to say goodbye to a "son" that they have cared for and loved for such a long time. My heart breaks for them.

After the orphanage official handed Shao to us, Shao tried so hard not to cry and to be a brave little boy, but he was so scared and unsure. As soon as Dom and I were holding him and talking to him, Maya immediately felt better and ran to us asking us to put Kai down. She walked up to him, patted and rubbed his head, gave him a hug, and handed him the stuffed animal she had made for him. We were then immediately led out of the room to another room for a family picture. It was here that Shao's bottom lip began to quiver followed by the tears and sobbing. Talk about feeling so helpless. I just held him tight and kept repeating "don't cry" and "it will be ok" and "mommy loves you" in Chinese.

We tried to leave the building as soon as possible as there were crying babies everywhere. Shao just sobbed when we arrived in our hotel room. We were able to distract him with bubbles and stacking blocks and even got the occasional smile which was magical. He seems so smart and on top of things. Within minutes of playing with bubbles, he was already beginning to say "pop" to pop the bubbles. He also really enjoyed stacking the cups and knocking them down.

Maya has been an amazing big sister. She has been so patient and interactive with Shao. She showed him his drawer of new clothes, read him a book, and has been a great playmate. I just can't say enough about this "3 year old going on 15" little girl.

Around 6:00, we decided to venture next door to get some carry out food. According to Shao's information, he currently eats just about everything (even with an open palate). We got fried rice and fried noodles and he loved them both. He also devoured a cookie at the end of dinner. We ended the evening with bathtime. Maya and Shao had a blast in the tub. They spashed, played with cups, and just enjoyed each other's company.

By 8:15, they were both in their jams and ready for bed. Maya fell asleep on the bed within 2 minutes and Shao was asleep after 5-10 minutes of holding him and gently rocking back and fourth. We'll see how long this sleep lasts, but for now, all is peaceful in the Marten hotel room. What a life-changing incredible day!