Gotcha day!

Yesterday was finally Gotcha day; it was crazy and amazing all at once!  We had a 7:35 a.m. flight out of Beijing to Nanchang, Jiangxi.  About an hour into the flight we had to land in another city due to fog in Nanchang.  We sat in the plane at the terminal for over 2 hours!  We started to panic because we were due to get Ava at 2 pm in our hotel room.  We contacted our guide Jenny who told us not to worry, we would get Ava that day no matter what time we got in.

When we were finally able to fly we realized how bad the fog was!  When we landed we didn't see the runway until we almost hit the ground.  The fog delayed Ava and two other babies who were with her so we made it with about an hour to spare.

When we got to the room we tried to prepare as quick as possible.  I was shaking uncontrollably and could barely control my emotions; then Jenny called to say they were on their way up!! When they walked in she instantly began to scream.  She was so scared and inconsolable.  For years we thought we would break down and cry the moment we met her but seeing how scared she was it was no longer about us and how we felt it was all about Ava.

The orphanage director handed her to me and she just cried and cried.  Just looking at Brian would make her scream.  We peeled off the many layers of clothes she had on and walked her around the room.  Brian spoke to the director while I tried to calm her down.  Our hearts just broke for her.  The director told Brian that she had a great foster family (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, aunts, uncles)  who loved her very much.  She said losing her yesterday was very hard for them.  As happy as we are, our hearts broke for them too.  They took excellent care of Ava; we will always be grateful to them.  We sent a disposable camera to Ava's foster family while she was with them.  We got it back yesterday so we are hoping there are lots of pictures of her Foster family.  We plan to ask the director today if there is any way we can keep in touch with the amazing people who cared for our girl the first 9 months of her life.

When everyone finally left we were able to get Ava to calm down.  Brian sat down and fed her Cheerios's.  Suddenly her feelings about the big guy with these tasty little treats changed.  They will forever be bonded by Cheerios.  Let me tell ya whoever invented Cheerios is our new best friend!

As we sat holding her her little personality (or should I say big personality) came out!  She makes the best faces; little fish lips!  She is so cute she just melts you.  She will mimic anything you do and just loves music.  Brian was holding her so I kneeled down close to her; she leaned forward and kissed my cheek.  That was all it took, we all started to cry.  She is so sweet and so lovable.  She bonded to me so quickly but will also let Brian hold and play with her as long as she can see me.  For the first night my poor mom couldn't even talk; every time she did Ava would just scream.  She spent about 2 hours playing happily with toys.  Cried for a little bit and went off to sleep for the night.  Our first day together was a huge success!!

Ava has only been with us for a day but its as if she has always with us.  We truly believe we were meant to be together.  It was instant love!  Thanks to everyone for all the love and support!  We will write again as soon as we can!