Aaron Li's Gotcha Day!

Today is a day that cannot be described in words.  It has been a day filled with so many different emotions.  So many questions and concerns about what toys to take, whether Aaron Li (we are still calling him "Yao Yao" right now) would like us or not, what his reaction would be and how in the world we would even communicate with him.  All the waiting up until now, and then, there he is, more beautiful and wonderful than we had even thought.  He was unsure about us at first, but the I-Pad won him over pretty quickly.  We spent over an hour at the civil affairs office with him, asking questions of his orphanage caregiver.  It was quite zooy to say the least, as there were 18 other families receiving their babies as well.  (We had no idea what a blessing it was with Meili until now because she was brought directly to our hotel room!)  As we left and got into the car, my sweet baby boy was trying to be brave, but as we neared our hotel, tears started rolling down his cheeks.  It was a full out sob as we were walking to our room, and he had MaMa in tears too.  I was crying out to Jehovah-Shalom to speak peace to his little heart and ours as well.  And He did.  

After watching a little bit of Praise Baby and playing with his toys, he was all smiles!  He has the sweetest laugh that is simply music to my ears.  We had to finish up some paperwork with our guide in the room, and when she left, it hit us.  Here we have these two Chinese babies, and we have to figure out how to care for them.  Even trying to decide what to do for supper was quite a task. 

But, we braved the Chinese restaurant called Food Street in the hotel.  Aaron Li packed up his toys and snacks in his monkey backpack (thank you, Mimi) and off we went.  He was the most adorable sight in his hat and backpack, with his picture book of Mama, Baba (daddy) and his brothers hooked over his arm, and holding Daddy's hand. 

We had a great dinner!  That boy can eat!  He kept taking his backpack off, taking everything out and arranging it on the table, then putting it back in and his back pack on again.  It was like he was just taking inventory to make sure it was all still there.  (And believe it or not, he is completely potty trained and goes right into the bathroom whenever he needs to go!!)

WE came back to the room, Skyped with big brothers and then started getting ready for bed.  He let me brush his teeth but wanted to keep on his same clothes for bed.  Who knows, he may not want to change, so we might be bringing him home in his original clothes, but whatever works for him is fine with me!

So now, the babies are asleep.  Aaron Li snuggled up with Daddy and was gone in no time!  I know we will have hard days, but for now, I think this is pretty close to heaven.  We feel His nearness, and our hearts are overflowing with joy and thankfulness for this incredible privilege to be called Mama and Baba by these two precious babies.  He has done more than we could have asked for or imagined.  Praise His wonderful name!

 

                                            On our way to get Big Brother!

 

 

 

     First moments with Aaron Li

 

 

Aaron Li, Baba, and his orphanage caregiver

 

   

 

Me and my Baba

 

Million dollar smile

 

 

 

Dinner Time!

 

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All is right with the world. .. finally.