Peggy - This one's for you!

4 Years Ago Today

Today we celebrate the 4th anniversary of the day that Emma was placed in our arms. A day that we will never forget. We had waited so long to be parents that we couldn't believe the day had come. Looking back now, I don't know how I kept it all together. Kevin may disagree.

We flew from Newark NJ to Beijing on 2/2/06. The flight wasn't too booked so we were able to spread out a little bit. We arrived in China the next day. It was long but I packed plenty of things to keep us busy and a sleeping pill or two.

There were 11 families total in our adoption group. Some were there for their 2nd adoption but most for their first. We had an awesome group and can't believe how well we ALL got along. Our guide kept telling us that there would be one or two that would always be late but not us, we were on schedule for everything. Little did we know that many other local families from different adoption agencies were also there adopting their babies. Do the names Lia, Katie Min-Min, Hannah or Mia sound familiar?

We weren't receiving the babies until 2/6 so our agency, kept us very busy. We were very lucky to be able to see the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, Ming Tombs and the Hutongs. We also saw an awesome Acrobatic Show. It was unbelievable what these acrobats did with their bodies. I can't even imagine stretching and bending like they did.

2/6/06 Started early for us. We are huge Steeler fans and this was not only Gotcha Day but the Superbowl XL and the Steelers were playing. We woke early that day. Kevin woke up about 530am got ready, went down to the buffet for breakfast, brought some up for me and he started watching the game while I got ready. We left about half time 930am to go to the conference room to begin the "process".

When we went to the conference room, we were told that the "bus" that was transporting the babies were running about an hour behind. We had to wait for about two more hours before 11 beautiful babies along with their nannies and orphanage directors entered the room through the back door.

They were all dressed in bright yellow and red outfits. It took me a bit of time to figure out which baby was Emma. I couldn't take my eyes off her she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.

We were the second family out of eleven to receive our baby. They had given Emma to me and I held her for about 10 minutes. When we went back to the table where our things were, I asked Kevin if he wanted to hold her and he said of course I do. Well, I handed Emma to Kevin and it was the last time during the whole trip to China that I was able to hold her. We were one of those scenarios that the baby attaches to the father. I was very upset for the entire trip but knew that it was a major transition for Emma and that it would take time.

Kevin did the best job taking care of her. Emma was so attached to him that it took about 72 hours before he could even let her lay down or sit up on her own. He spent the first three nights with Emma sleeping on his chest. We thought we were prepared for anything but we weren't for this. Kevin had to do everything, feeding, changing, bathing etc... When we were able to purchase a stroller, Emma wouldn't even let me push it. We would try to be sneaky, Kevin would start pushing her and then I would take over. Kevin would walk behind me. When Emma would turn around and she saw me pushing, she would have a fit. She would scream and cry but when Kevin took over, she was as calm as could be.

Our adoption representative suggested that I have more eye contact with her so, I would get down to her level and be about 1 foot from her face and she would take her tiny fingers and grab hold of my cheeks and twist her hands. OUCH!!! She did not like me one bit.

So, here we are, half way across the world adopting this child that I had waited for, for so long and she didn't want anything to do with me. You'll see that I had to have a picture with her at the White Swan. Poor thing, just look at her face. She was like day and night, as soon as Kevin took her, she was fine.

Here are a few pictures from the first couple of days with Emma. Once we returned home, it took probably another two weeks before Emma had completely bonded with me. And is now a Mama's girl. We are two peas in a pod. Emma is the best thing that ever happened to Kevin and I and well worth the wait.

Waiting for the babies and our first glimpses of Emma

Emma is finally placed in our arms

Emma and Daddy.
Then, we thought she was happy to have a family.
Now, we see how sad and confused she was.
Emma finally sleeps. You can see that Kevin couldn's even change her.

Not his fault Emma wouldnt sit still for him.

Only one arm in the jammies and she wasn't buttoned up.
The famous Red Couch photos. Can you find Emma??
Happy with Daddy!! A screamer with Mommy.
I had to hold her hand down or she would have torn up my face.

Emma is definately the best thing that has ever happened to us. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't make us proud. She is in preschool now and can't wait to go to kindergarten next year. She goes to Gymnastics once a week and can't wait for the Spring to join soccer. We will have to wait to celebrate because of the snowstorm we are having. Kevin will be out most of the weekend but Emma and I are ready to do some crafts and watch movies. She'll be happy when she wakes tomorrow morning to see the snow and call it a "pajama day".

A Sneak Peak...

...Emma's 4 year anniversary of the day we adopted her is fast approaching. Here is a sneak peak at some pictures that were taken.