Priceless, Precious Memories

Since my last post, Scarlett has had the joy of experiencing squatty potties not once, but twice. She is such a trooper and thankfully, she mostly hits the target and not mommy's shoes since I'm the one holding her.  Her complaints have been rare..  Only three come to mind... And just last a minute, if that. She is such a gift and I am so proud of her with all that she's had to endure for her little sister (multiple vaccines just to travel with us, unfamiliar foods, sights, and sounds, walking, walking and more walking and keeping a happy heart even when so much attention has to be shared). At 4 years old, that kind of adjustment rocks your world; heck, at 33, it shakes me up a bit, and I can't imagine a kiddo who does it better. 

Well, we arrived in Nanning around 4 pm On Sunday and got settled into what is supposed to be a 5 star hotel ( must not be using a base 10 system since we're out of the states) around 5:30.  The drive to the hotel was beautiful, more like what I anticipated in China, but with palm trees.  Guangxi is supposed to be the poorest province, but also the most Beautiful.  We unpacked, ordered room service, and briefly pondered our safety since our guide mentioned that we should't leave the hotel past 6 pm.  Room service was the order of the evening and we fell asleep earlier than usual, maybe 9 or so ( please note that I usually wake up between 2 and 4 every morning and lay awake wondering why I'm not sleeping).

Gotcha day arrived yesterday and flew by in a blur.  We ate breakfast at the buffet downstairs, met 4 other couples/ families also adopting and we got together to pray before heading over to the civil affairs office. Prior to that, we went to the market across the street to purchase gifts for the orphanage... So strange to see poverty and wealth collide as we viewed Porches and BMWs next to ancient scooters like the one my brother used to ride decade ago (love you, Jeff).  For lunch, we ventured far Beyond our comfort zones and nearly lost life and limb crossing assorted streets on our 5 block jaunt to McDonald's. I'd like to say that it was solely for Scarlett's benefit, but I'll just leave it at that.

At 3pm, we met Jane, our guide, and left to go meet our little girl in person. When we arrived, one little one was outside with her nanny and Jane asked if that was her. We didn't think so, but with only 3 pics, it's hard to tell.  Turns out that it was her best bud from the orphanage... And then we saw her walking outside with her nanny, bundled up in pink, with 2 little bunnies on her jacket (those of you who really know our history will know the significance of that).  She was gingerly toddling around, not quite running like we'd been told, but we already have a couple of those crazy marathoners in our family, so that was fine by us (love to M and M). We got to watch her from afar for a few minutes, much more tiny and delicate than the bundled up photos we'd viewed, and then we briefly got to kneel down up close to her.

From that moment, a whirlwind of movement and emotions let lose as we were corralled upstairs with between 7 and 10 other families, hurriedly exchanged info w/ the parents of Saylor's best bud, potty danced with Scarlett on the way to those infamous squatty potties (with no toilet paper and  zero complaining on her part, God bless that girl) and rushed back just in time to hold that perfect, precious bundle in my arms.  No crying, no fussing...  Just all 22 pounds of her snuggled into my arms. Of course, she's absolutely beautiful and officially part of our forever family (as of this morning).  We were able to meet the asst. orphanage director and one of the caregivers to ask a few questions about our girl, but mostly I just asked Jane to convey how thankful we were that they took care if our gal... On with the tears. 

As we drove back to the hotel, the newest Schuld snuggled, or rather lay limp in my arms... Still no crying  on her part, which isnt't necessarily a good thing. At the hotel, I just held her... For a while and it wasn't until I took off her shoes and began rubbing her feet that we finally got what I'd call a bonding moment..when I'd stopped rubbing her toes and moved my hand over a bit, she'd move her foot  back to my hand.  Other magical memories unfolded over the course of the evening, a little whimper when setting her down or putting her in the crib (looks like we really need to invest in a king size bed, so if any of you have any suggestions or want to begin keeping an eye out for a good deal, we'd be much obliged... Apparently the Schuld girls like to sleep in bed with their parents...must take after their mommy), her first smile as I was blowing raspberries on her feet and even her first giggle as I did the same on the side of her tummy....the gal is cute regardless, but when she smiles it took my breath away... And made me cry, too.  She must realize this as well as she is quite fond of gazing at her reflection in the full length mirror..  And smiling at the beautiful baby.

Scarlett had picked out a special toy for her at the market and Saylor clung to that thing until it fell out of her arms as she slept. Today, Tuesday, began with a busy morning: to the notary with a brief interview and paperwork, to the affairs office with a brief interview and more paperwork...It was here that we received a beautiful woven satchel crafted in Saylor's hometown and about 20 or so pictures of her life in the orphanage  (a 1 year party with cake, etc). After that, we shopped at a regional market.... Maybe you've heard of it... Does Walmart ring a bell?!  for additional supplies and picked up a pizza from pizza hut for lunch back at the hotel.