We have Noah!

About 3:30 this afternoon we received the phone call. The children were in the hotel lobby and were we ready for them because they were getting on the elevator. We sprang into action! I went and told the other family, we grabbed our cameras and toys and within seconds the elevator opened on our floor and out come our children. There was a lot of laughter and excitement.

We gathered in the lobby area of our floor and the bonding began! Little Sheng Heng began to find toys to bang and, gradually, we entered his space and began to talk to him. When I first saw him I was surprised at how small he was. He was much more fragile-looking than I had anticipated. Developmentally, he is not walking as well as I had expected. He also does not crawl as much as he does scoot. He does have a good arm on him and enjoys throwing things.

The orphange director and caregiver stayed about 1 hour, answering my questions and playing with Sheng Heng. After my questions were answered, our family portrait was taken for the adoption certificate and the director and caregiver said goodbye.We took Sheng Heng downstairs for some beef congee (rice porridge.) He ate a few bites and had fun throwing his spoon on the floor when he was done. We're figuring out that when he is done with something he throws it on the floor. He also had about 4 ounces of his bottle. We were told that some children do not eat much the first day or two. They may be grieving or just adjusting to the new situation. Anyway, we hope he will eat more tomorrow!After dinner we walked outside for a few minutes. He seemed to enjoy that. Back in the hotel room we played some more, had a bath, read a few books, and tried to help him settle to sleep. He began crying and flailing about. Big tears and utter exhaustion put him over the edge but Mark had the magic touch (as always) and got him to sleep in about 10 minutes.

Now we are going to do the same. You know the old adage - sleep while baby sleeps!