We have Anna!! (Ting Ting)

I wanted to get this post out last night but Anna needed all of our attention and working on the computer was not an option. It's hard to put into words how our day played out and so much will be lost in writing. On the way to the adoption office I was so nervous, unexpectedly. I started hyperventilating. Brian kept asking me if I was O.K. I was so worried about passing out there but ended up fine. I know it's not comparable but I felt the same way when I was minutes away from from having my c-sections, laying on the table. The focus is just breathing at that point. You know your life is about to change and that's O.K. but it's all so overwhelming. Also, just the environment all around us on the way there was such a statement on the standard of living here. I had Brian videotape. Their middle class is what we would consider povery level and it's eye opening, shocking and sad.

Once we got to the office, things happened quickly. We filled out a form and Anna was brought out to us. She looked exactly like her pictures, adorable. But she is BIG, much bigger than Carter and much heavier. My arm muscles will get a great workout these next few weeks. Initally she was O.K. She played with the toys we gave her and sat in my lap. About 10 minutes into that when she was done with us, the crying started. It was heartbreaking. She tried so hard to get away from us and go back to her nanny. I felt so sad for her and worried for us. Our guide tried to hurry the rest of the process along and felt it would be better if we left quickly. Thank goodness for our guide. She was able to talk to her and calm her down a bit. We then went to the grocery store to buy some snacks and drinks for her. She is called Ting Ting so that is what we are going to call her for a while. As we handed her each snack in the cart, you could tell this made her happy but still no smiles. We got back to the hotel and our guide had us go to our room for a half hour before coming back down to do paperwork. Poor Anna cried and wanted to stay with our guide. I can't imagine how hard this is for her. She was only taken from her foster family 5 days ago. The first thing we did in the room was BUBBLES and the smiles starting coming, then the laughter. She loved them and finally relaxed. We then started to see some of her personality and honestly the rest of the night was great. She laughed a lot and seems comfortable with me. She's not to sure about Brian yet. We were able to Skpe the kids and they were excited. God bless Skype or I could never last here this long. She blew kisses to them and learned "Hello." Our first impressions of her are that she is smart, very active, loud, loves toys and snacks, fully potty trained!!, and a happy little girl. We are so blessed. This has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I am so happy. She is wonderful and perfect and will fit so beautifully in our family. Oh I forgot we were told she likes "to be pretty." Callie will have her full make-up, nails and dress-ups on in an instant! I do see a very active summer in my future, this girl likes to RUN. Our guide said she listens well and was easily redirected. Really this is all incredible. This is way more than we could have ever have hoped for and we LOVE her! Thank you God for this wonderful little girl. By the way, she slept through the night!