July 26, 2010 – the day that changed our lives forever.I can’t believe it’s been a year already.This time last year we were in China, waiting anxiously to meet our baby (we didn’t meet her until about in the afternoon).I had no idea what to expect.I was excited – we were FINALLY about to meet her! And scared – hello, someone was going to hand me a baby and expect ME to know what to do with her!The actual meeting went amazingly well – no tears from Hadley, only a few from me.It seemed so surreal – we walked into the room, saw her, someone checked our paperwork and passports, and she was ours.I can’t imagine what was going on in her little head.She had woken up in her crib at the orphanage.Then someone got her up and dressed her in a new outfit and shoes, no doubt an unusual thing.They then packed her up and drove her about 2 ½ hours into Changsha, brought her into the Civil Affairs office, took her picture, and handed her off to strangers – strangers who looked, smelled, and sounded so different.She was scared to death, but she was so quiet and kept it all to herself.She didn’t cry or try to pull away.She just took it all in – and took a chance. Her only protest was that her bottle wasn’t hot enough.It took us a while to figure that one out J but we finally got it right.It didn’t take her long to start coming out of her shell.The changes in her over the past year have been nothing short of amazing.She’s grown over 4 inches taller and gained 8 pounds since we met her.Her hair has grown out and is long enough for a cute little bob now.She’s learned to walk, run, jump, climb stairs, and tumble.She talks constantly!Every day we understand more of what she is saying and she is using longer phrases all the time.Her vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds.She is as smart as a tack – she already knows her colors and shapes.Sometimes she’s too smart for her own good – she’s already figured out how to unlock the cabinets and “child safe” medicine bottles.She knows far too much about my iphone.She eats like a champ – there are very few things she doesn’t like – ground meat, watermelon, cheese cake, and cucumbers.She loves fruits and vegetables – and chocolate.She’s obsessed with Mickey Mouse – and our trip to Disney World didn’t help that!Everyday she suggests her Mickey and Dumbo t-shirt when she gets dressed.Thank goodness for DVR – “Mickey on” is one of her favorite requests.She doesn’t understand why he isn’t available any time at her grandparents’ houses.She loves swimming and playing outside.She’s spoiled by my parents’ pool and asks frequently if we can go to “Papaw’s pool” and “go simmin.”She has her grandparents wrapped around her little finger. She is a happy, bubbly little girl.She claimed us long ago as her parents, but no she proudly announces “my Mommy, my Daddy.”She gives the best hugs and kisses and best of all, last night she said “I love you!” on her own.364 day of waiting and it was so worth it to hear those three words.I can’t imagine life without her – she is the light of our lives.Happy Gotcha Day baby – it has been the best year of my life and I can’t wait to celebrate many, many more of these days!!
Gotcha Day 2010
Some pictures from our trip to Disney World -- she hardly looks like the same child.
