Gotcha Day - Indigo In Our Arms July 1, 2007

After all the years of waiting filled with speculation, anxiety, hopes and fears today was the BIG day! We had to wake up early to have our luggage taken away to the airport by 6:30 am. All went smoothly with traveling to the airport and flying on China Eastern to Nanchang, although our flight ended up leaving half hour late. Upon arrival in Nanchang we went directly to the hotel where we only had 30 minutes to get ready for driving to the Civil Affairs Office to be given Indigo Wen. Our stomachs were doing body flips, and Melanie has been struggling with either a very bad cold or the flu. When we arrived at the Civil Affairs Office and began to walk to the entrance, we noticed a van and two women with babies were getting out. The tears started before we even entered the building.

To the 26th floor we went and when we entered the large room it was filled with many people and babies, some of whom were crying. We had no time to get situated, and were being told to sit down but before we knew it Kathy was telling us there is Ji Wen Zhou our baby. She was being held by an employee of her orphanage and the funny thing was she was in a boy's blue outfit we had sent to the orphanage as a gift for the other children. She looked at us as though we were unfamiliar but did not panic. We were unable to hold her until we were formally given her, which happened within minutes of arrival. We were the first family to be presented with our baby. We had to show our passports to verify that we were indeed her intended parents, and the next thing Indigo Wen was in Melanie's arms. She pushed away and Melanie felt she was about to cry, but never did. Melanie held her very tightly and firmly, and rocked her without talking very much. While she quickly clinged to Melanie, she never looked at Melanie but was observing her surroundings. After all the babies were handed out we were called up to be given the items we had sent her in our care package. Also the cameras we sent were returned (with one of the cameras being used and now will have to be developed). We were also presented with gifts from the orphanage, but more importantly we were given back a detailed questionnaire that we had sent the orphanage which our adoption guide translated tonight regarding what she eats, her sleep schedule, likes/dislikes, etc. (very useful information).

On the bus back to the hotel she took a few sips of water from a bottle, but had no idea what a sippy cup was all about. Melanie went to the room with her, while I went with the guide and one member of each family to get formula, rice cereal, etc. for the babies. Melanie changed her wet diaper and put her in a new outfit, she did not like having her clothes removed but was happy once she was redressed! She played with a few toys. She really enjoyed her first bottle, drinking about half of an 8 oz. bottle. She really became playful and bubbly after her bottle. She was playing with the formula spoon and bottle cap (ignoring the other toys of course!), and really was looking and interacting at both of us. Our friends Karen and Shawn brought there adorable baby Ava to our room. Ava is also doing very well and enjoying all of the attention. Indigo absolutely loved banana puffs - thanks Auntie Clare. She likes to stick out her tongue, just as in one of the pictures we received of her. We have not looked too closely inside her mouth, but we can tell she has four top and four bottom teeth.

We are truly amazed at how well this has gone so far, but are under no illusions that there won't be bumps in the road. She does seem to have a cough and you can hear some congestion. We took her to a meeting we had to fill in more adoption related paperwork and learn more what would transpire in the days ahead. Indigo was so great, playing and standing between Melanie. She fell asleep on me there and we brought her to the crib in our room to put her down for the night. We are enthralled with her, and I keep looking over at her in the crib. We are tired, but expect more photos of her in the days to come.