Here is our daughter.....Chloe Siwei!

Here is our daughter.....Chloe Siwei

Today was out Gotcha Day!  What a surreal experience.  Of course I only slept for 3 hours so I was in Night of the Living Dead mode.  After a wonderful breakfast buffet, we did  some paper work in our hotel lobby with Michael our guide and another couple from NYC.  We are now in Chongqing, in a beautiful hotel.  This city looks like Manhattan and we are in the middle of Times Square.  We were waiting until 1:00 to drive to the office to meet the babies.  I was able to sneak in a 1/2 hour nap before we left.  

Then there we were driving in a van, our driver and guide speaking to each other in Chinese and with Michael occasionally telling us something about the babies and our week ahead.  So I am thinking, "Am I in a Lifetime movie?  This was like having an out of body experience.  

We arrived at the office and sat waiting for the two babies.  In walked a group of babies and nannies (ayis).  We jumped up, video cameras in hand searching the little group for Siwei.  Oops, this group of babies is going to the tall, blond Norwegians that just walked in. It was interesting to watch the couples find their babies, talk to the ayis, coax the kids with lollipop and bubbles.  Eventually the new parents would leave with their child, some crying for their nannies.  

Ok, here comes a single ayi with toddler in tow!  I jump up with my camera but, no this girl is going to the NYC family.

So in true Siwei fashion, she kept us waiting for 20 minutes.  But then there she was wearing a little pink jacket and shoes two sizes too big for her.  We went into a room and were able to ask the ayi who was Siwei's primary caregiver questions while we interacted with her.    

Ms Zhang told us that Siwei was smart, outgoing and talkative. She eats anything and takes a bottle.  She feeds herself and loves toys.  She is a "spicey girl".  Chongqing is know for it's "hot pot", spicey soup.  It is said that Chongqing girls are "spicey" too- meaning they have a strong temperment.  

So some of her present nicknames are hotpot, spice girl, dumpling!  We'll decide which one sticks after a while!

Anyway,on to other stuff....Siwei came right into with my arms with no tears...I've been told this may mean that she has been well- taken care of and has learned to trust people (good).  It also means that she may not be able to distinguish or identify one caregiver as "special" (not so good but this will change).  So in the next few weeks it is very important for me, Lee and soon Anna to be the only people to care for her, hold her and feed her.  She needs to learn who to trust and to learn that we are now her immediate family.  Sorry Ann! Sorry Fran! Sorry Jill- the hugs will have to wait until later!

On the drive back to the hotel, Chloe (now she is Chloe but we are still using Siwei of course) sat on my lap and looked out of the window.  She was very curious and took in everything.  She was checking out the other new baby in the car, the skyscraper outside, the man driving next to us.  She has a real pleasnat disposition.  In the hotel room she loves to look in the mirror (probably her first time), she adores Anna's Glo-Worm and the little maracas.  We gave her a few toys throughout the afternoon and if I showed her how to use it she remebered it and did it on her own after one or two tries.  When I put new socks on her feet she ran over, got her shoes and handed them to me.  She is very alert and curious.  She loves the toys and books and her little back pack.  She laughs easily and loves when Lee throws her in the air.  I think she will be another Daddy's girl.  She really loves that mirror.  She extends her arms to be picked up.  We heard her make a few sounds but overall she's been quiet and is taking it all in.  She did not love her bath and fought us the whole time (Did Anna email her with this suggestion?).  

We ordered room service and she ate congee ( a cooked rice dish) and little bites of our food.  Then we went for a walk in the outdoor garden on the 10th floor.  It was a beautiful piece of nature right here in the middle of this large city.  She was a bit wary out there.  She fell asleep in my arms and is now in her little crib, sleeping soundly.  She is just adorable!

What a day for her..and for us.  I think I may finally sleep soundly tonight as well.