Gotcha Day revisited

Gotcha Day is the big moment when an adopting family meets their baby for the first time. It's fraught with tension because you literally have no idea how it's going to play out. Lisa doesn't write much, but she did sit down and share her memories of BiBi's Gotcha, a long long four days ago.

You would not believe how hectic Gotcha was. They met us on the side of the road at a rest stop, and we thought they were meeting us and we would follow them to SWI (the orphanage) for Gotcha. I was on the squatty potty when Jacob yelled in: "They brought BiBi with them!!!!" I hurried as fast as I could, and Jacob waited outside the restroom for me and Sophie. We had already decided that she would be placed in my arms because of how Sophie's Gotcha and attachment went two years ago.

I quickly washed and rinsed my hands (but no towels for drying), ran out and just adored little BiBi. They put her in my arms, and she was quiet and looked at me and then got very upset. Then Sophie and I quickly got into the car with BiBi and the SWI people while Jacob rode with our guide and driver for the 10-minute ride to the SWI. They took us to an office and then a very fast tour of one floor which is the orphanage and into an empty Gracie's Room. The few babies who are not in foster care and living at the orphanage were already in bed for naptime.

Then we left the SWI campus for lunch. The girls hit it off immediately. The SWI director and two others, including one holding a baby to go to Chongqing, went to lunch with us and then rode back to Chongqing with us. The SWI folks didn't really talk to Jacob and me very much.

OK, I don't know if this all makes much sense, but I think you get an idea of how hectic it was.

The foster mother was at the SWI, but they were trying to hide her so that BiBi would not see her. The foster mother was crying and we didn't meet her. [Jacob here: In fact, the formed a human barricade so the foster mother could get close to Lisa and BiBi.] They all did an excellent job of preparing BiBi for her MaMa and JiaJia, but she didn't seem so knowledgeable about BaBa. At bedtime now she calls out for someone, and I'm certain it is the foster mom. She grieves until she falls asleep for about 20-45 minutes. It is heartbreaking. And she won't let me put her down. Then when she wakes in the morning she is happy to see MaMa and JiaJia (and I'm sure Daddy too). It takes her a while to wake up -- very quiet for a little bit, but then starts talking nonstop.

Lisa's description is right on the money. The hurried gas station Gotcha was a world away from the professional conference room atmosphere when we got Sophie. In fact, just about everything about this trip has been different, except for the fact that both girls are amazing and beautiful.