The Whitledge Family: We Gotcha and You're Perfect

Where do I even begin? This day will go down as one of the most memorable days of my entire life. Just like the birth of my boys. I will try to describe this the best way I can. We met our guide downstairs at 2:00 pm. She was right on time and quickly asked for documents that we needed to bring with us along with the money. After that we were loaded into a van and off we went. My heart was racing, my mind going a hundred miles an hour. We passed through tiny little streets with people selling stuff, bicycles piled high with merchandise, and cars driving crazy. That is one thing about China....they are crazy drivers! Brad loves it! On we went while our guide talked to us about Chinese culture. Some of her words I heard and some I didn't. My mind just wasn't ready to hear that yet, I was too focused on what was about to happen. Once in the building we were taken up to the 8th floor and asked to sign some paperwork. My teeth were chattering together so loudly that I was sure everyone could hear. I couldn't get them to stop. After the papers were signed they brought her out of a small room. She saw me and immediately began to cry and scream. She wanted nothing to do with me or Brad. I tried to get a toy out to show her, but that wasn't working either. A man, who I'm guessing was from the orphanage, said just pick her up. I did and she arched her back and screamed "mama" and she wasn't talking about me. My heart sank, the tears flowed from all of us. It was painful to watch. Finally, someone from somewhere gave us a sucker and that helped. Brad took her and she seemed to calm down. We signed all the paperwork, gave all the money we had prepared and off we went back to the van to head back to the hotel. It seemed so strange walking out of the building with her. No one stopped to look, no one smiled . This was an every day occurrence to them I could tell. Once in the van I held her back to the hotel with no more tears. We were let off at the entrance of this fancy hotel with fancy cars that lined the parking lots and here I am walking through the lobby with a baby and no one stops to look, no one says a word. It's a strange feeling! Once back in the room I sit her down on the floor and gave her some toys. She played and played with them. At that very moment I knew that this whole thing was so much bigger than I had thought. God played a roll in this, he guided me through, he gave me the strength to keep going and boy did he ever show me that he is faithful. I began to take off layers of her clothes. For those of you that don't know the Chinese people put several layers of clothes on their kids even when it's 70 degrees. With each layer removed she got smaller and smaller. At this point she would still cry if we tried to move her. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and tried to give her a bath. I had to pull my pant legs up and get in there too. Once her pajamas were on she began to look down at them like she was so happy. She loved having them on. We ordered room service to keep from getting her out and then it happened......she laughed. She thought it was so funny to take a bite and then let me take a bite. She does hoard her food in her mouth if she thinks that's her last bite. I'm guessing for fear of not getting enough food. That's something we will have to work on. Once finished with supper she sit back down with her toys. That's something else you can tell she loves. She loves having all the toys and plays for hours with them. She loves a little purse that one of my friends got her.....thanks Barb Rose! Slowly she began to walk around our hotel room. She wanted to see the bright lights out the window. She wanted to follow me to get her clothes. She wanted to play with Brad. She is smart and funny! She tip toes once she steps on a tile floor. She loves her pajamas and toys. So here I am typing again at 1:00 am while she sleeps right next to her daddy. She is precious. She is worth every tear I've shed on this journey. She is the missing piece in our family!! Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. Keep them coming!