Monday, March 09, 2009

Our Dear Daughter





















































Our Dear Daughter
It has been an incredible day for our family. Norah is a wonderful child and I am not just saying that because she is our daughter.
We got to the resgition office before Norah arrived which gave Lori and I time to gather our thoughts. We had gotten some gifts from friends and family that we brought to the Registration office in Henan.
Norah was the first one through the door, and we recognized her right away. The lady caring Norah handed her to Lori after only 20-30 seconds and all was well. Norah looked at Lori with fascination and as Lori showed her the bear her grandma had sent her. Lori asked me where Norahs hearing aids were. I told her I did not know but we would find out. So Norah is 100% deaf right now because they told us she only had hearing aids when she was at the deaf school, and they didn’t work very well, so she didn’t take them to her foster family. So they hoped that we would have her checked out when we get her back to the USA.
Well yes we knew that she may come to us with out hearing aids but hoped that she would have them even if they didn’t work very well because she must be scared as hell right now. Then it was my turn and Lori set her down so she could see me and I came well armed with cereal. I talked to her awhile then I brought out the big guns I had brought some cheerios from the breakfast bar at the hotel. When she saw them she started eating like she hadn’t eaten in days, but she was not so hungry that she wasn’t willing to share with Dear old Dad. Lori was shooting video of us feeding each other and laughing our heads off. We had thought about leaving the video camera at home and just shooting a lot of photos, but I wanted a backup in case the camera wasn’t working. I am so glad I brought the video camera the video is priceless.
Lori sat on the flour with her and we got out a magic doodle we had gotten from Linda J who had to express it to us because of a wrong address the first time she sent it. Everyone started getting books of photos and the things they sent their children in care packages. We did not get anything back. I asked and they told us the care package we sent never made it, Norah had never seen us before in her life, not even in photos. But she thought we were pretty darn good play mates…..

















Up until it was time to go then all bets were off. She didn’t want to have anything to do with either of us and was arching her back as far as she could and bawling, reaching for the orphanage workers. We left the building and went to walk to the photo lab where she was too get her photo for her passport. We were the second people in line and all the families had to stand outside. There was still no consoling her she was trying her darnest to get away from us. When it was our turn to get the photo we went into the booth with the photographer and Norah wailing, kicking and arching. We were just going to try to get the photo when she caught her breath in-between screams when the Nanny, I think, tried to come in to help, this was less then helpful, and we asked her to leave. When the photographer got the shot he could accept we got up and our giuide told us to wait out side it would only take about twenty minuets to get all the photos done, well we were only ten minuets from the hotel so we told her we were heading back to the hotel by ourselves rather then wait outside for twenty minuets because we could not set Norah down. When we did she would try to run away. So we headed off to the hotel Norah wailing and arching and climbing us for the first eight minuets of the walk. We had to stop every once in awhile to give her a drink because she was sweating up a storm and bundled in four layers of clothing.

















I guess after all the kicking and screaming she did she figured we were not going to give up so she started weasing down and held our hands and we walked to the hotel together.
Since she was calming down we stopped off at the hotels water fountain, and the Koi pond inside the hotel, then it was up to our room.
















When we entered the room she spotted the couple of things we and set out ahead of time, and we all began to play again and she has the most wonderful laugh. We went out for a walk around the hotel and found the pool and the ping pong tables. She got some ping pong balls to take too the room and I offered to pay for them but they just smiled and said no it was ok to just take then. The ping pong balls and tcardboard tube from the wrapping papper were a BIG hit. Why did we pack actual toys? All we need now is a Big cardboard box.
















She screwed the cap back on her drink then turned it over to show us that it won't spill. The funny thing was she did it with the flourish of a magician showing off a big trick.






























































We headed back to the room for some serious coloring time. She has to put all her crayons back in the box and they MUST all face the same way, she defiantly likes to have things in order. Because we were making progress we decided to see how she would do at the buffet from our hotel. She not only did very well she loved some of the dishes we gave her and spit others into Lori’s hands.


























































































We have already started to use sign language with her and she is a quick study, she has signed YES, WATER, and DAD a couple of times. I would be willing to bet she picks up MORE and WATERMELON really quick. Watermelon is her favorite but the cheescake, let me tell you I handed the little dish to Lori and Norah grabbed it and started shoveling it in as quickly as she could. So we got another lirttle dish for her and she did the same thing.


























































































After lunch we hit the park behind our hotel.

























I had to go to do paper work for the adoption before I left I ran some water for Lori to see if she could give Norah a bath. It worked, by the time I got back from paper work she was walking the halls with her, back in her orange jacket but with clean pjs on. She wants to keep her jacket on all the time, her shoes too. Lori and I had discussed this before we left for China and if holding onto the only things in her world that she recognizes gives her even a little security then she can wear her jacket and shoes as along as she needs to.



She is willing to go to us both and take both of our hands play and crack-up with both of us at this point but after dinner we got back from the park she showed preference for Lori, but still asks me for help going to the bath room, and to fetch her ping pong bolls from under the bed, and play dolls with her.




When she started to notice the sun was going down she started doing everything she could to stay awake, not know if when she wakes her life would change again. We turned on the lights in our room because. deaf children already are missing sound if you take away another one of her senses would not do any one any good. Lori got in a cat nap as me and Norah played on the bed for about an hour. Then Norah got up walked around to Lori’s side of the bed and started to cry. She cried herself to sleep at first then had a very bad dream, for obvious reasons, but then when we woke her up to use the bathroom after that she was able to snuggle up VERY closely to Lori and go back to sleep peacefully as long as she has a hand on Lori at all times while she is asleep.
She is a happy child and smiles and laughs often, it is just going to take us some time to let her know we are her last stop. This is it girl, we are your family we love you very much and will never let you go. We know you don't understand what is going on or why but in time you will see we are your forever family.
Glen




38 comments:

Unknown said...

I have been waiting for this post for such a long time. thanks for taking the time and sharing her with us..you guys rock

Anonymous said...

Congrats Glen & Lori! Norah is just adorable.
Jodi
deafchinaadopt group

Dawn said...

CONGRATUALTIONS ~ She is precious!!

http://wehavebeenblessed.blogspot.com

tlcmurphy said...

Glen and Lori,
Norah is just beautiful! I'm so glad you finally have her in your arms. I love the pictures of you in shorts and t-shirts, and her in a snow suit :-)
Congratulations!
-Tamara Murphy
CCAI-WCP

Donna said...

Norah is adorable! I can't believe you got so many precious smiles already! She seems to be doing great and you guys seem to be figuring it all out perfectly!

Congrats to everyone! I have a tear in my eye and a happy heart reading this post. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Anonymous said...

Glen,

She's darling!! I've been stalking your blog to see her :) Thanks so much for sharing her with the world through your blog - I can't wait to see how tomorrow goes. Big, big congratulations.

Alyssa

Nicole said...

Simply beautiful!!!! Wow! Your post was beautiful too, Glen. Congrats to you all... enjoy the rest of your trip.

Nicole (CCAIWCP yahoo group)

Mary said...

Congratulations to you both, Glen and Lori! Norah is absolutely breathtaking! I am sorry she didn't have her hearing aids, but hopefully you will move on with your signing very rapidly.
Enjoy this time...it goes by oh-so quickly. :-)

Anonymous said...

Ohh my heart is smiling! She is beautiful!
Congrats to you both!
Norah from Dallas

Carrie said...

Congrats!!! She is so cute! Post more Pics!

Charlotte said...

Sounds like a wonderful gotcha day ! She is absolutely precious ! Sounds like she is acting the way one does on gotcha day ! Can't wait to read more !

Reminds me of all 3 of my gotcha days !

Charlotte and crew

Mark and Kelly said...

The pictures say it all. What an amazing time for your family! It was 2 years ago this week that we met our daughter for the first time. Congratulations and enjoy every minute.
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Congrats Lori and Glen your daughter is precious . I had to smile reading your post our daughter did the same thing . She didn't want to take her shoes off she slept with them on for two days . It's a comfort thing something they can control Meng took her shoes off after we bought her a new pair . Now she takes her shoes off at any chance she gets . I am so happy for you guys .

Marion

Naenay1012 said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you all.

Heidi said...

Oh my.. I have tears in my eyes... not good, because I am at work.. In the ER! I am so happy for you both... She is adorable! She is a very lucky girl. Just wait till she sees her room. Thanks so much for taking the time to post... We were dying with anticipation yesterday... it was terrible.. Congrats! It's a girl!! =)

Heidi

Ashley and Mike said...

I am so happy that you are finally together. Your post was wonderful and I cannot believe we were there just a few weeks ago. I noticed the Diet Coke on the table :) Have fun and enjoy yourselves. The bakery by Mama Mia's and the pool table sells everything 1/2 off after 8 p.m. Go stock up on goodies for the next day. The ice cream is pretty good too!

Anonymous said...

I've said it before, and will probably say it again....but Norah looks so much like Lori. It's as if she was born to be her daughter.
You guys look really happy to finally be with her, and she looks like she doesn't mind too much either.
Happy Gotcha Day!

Dale said...

We are happy to know that you have Norah. She has a pretty smile.
We look forward to seeing more pictures of all of you. We continue to uphold you in our prayers.
love from Nebraska

Anonymous said...

Oh, she is absolutely delightful in every way. This made my day--thanks so much for sharing with us!

Marcy in GU

park it said...

What an amazing day! Congratulations - hope the rerst of your trip goes as well!

joanna and scott said...

Norah is beautiful and has a great smile. She looks so happy with you both!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Jill said...

You both must be over the moon! She is adorable!!!! Hope she continues to do well!
Jill

Anonymous said...

Perfect! Congratulations ... and thank you for sharing.
Love you all!
Mike and Melissa

bbmomof2boys said...

I've been stalking your blog waiting for pictures! You did a great job telling us how it went with her. I'm so happy that you finally have your Norah in your arms! She is beautiful!

Hugs,
Carla

Anonymous said...

Norah is absolutely gorgeous and what a charater she is! Blessings to your family.

Dori's Mommy (Diana) said...

Congratulations! What a smile! She is just precious!!

Lynn said...

Your faces say it all! Thank you for posting so much. I loved reading every detail. You are all so lucky to have each other. Blessings on the rest of your trip. Norah is just adorable!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I meant to add...our son kept his shoes on 24/7 for the first three weeks. I just cleaned the soles with wipes every night before he went to bed! It's a comfort and security thing, God bless you for letting Norah hold onto that.

Thanks again for sharing your precious story with us.
Marcy in GU

NeuroMama said...

Congratulations! I have been waiting to read this post for so long and am so hapy for you and Lori. Your daughter is beautiful and you look like you are having an amazing time in China! Keep the posts coming.

Best Wishes,
Raine
Mom to Sunnee, Ryleigh, and Grayson
CCAI WCP Family

Michele said...

Absolutely thrilled for all of you!!! A long time coming, but Oh, the Joy!!!!
I'm getting teary-eyed just imagining the incredible life you will all now share.
God Bless,

Kristin said...

Congrats, I just love her smile!
Kristin
from CCAIWCP list

Anonymous said...

Glen and Lori,
Congratulations to you all! I'm so happy for you. Norah has the most precious smile. She is adorable and your photos will be such special memories for you. I'm so glad to see Lori is feeling better, too.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and each other.
Kel
(part of the CCAI family and China Adoption Families chat group)

Charity, Katie, Louie & Natalie said...

Congratulations to you all!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful day with us. It's wonderful to see little Norah with her forever family.
Love, Charity

NancyW said...

I read your post with tears streaming down my face in happiness that Norah has her forever family now. She is special to me because she was in the Education program I coordinate for LWB. She is also special because we, too, brought home an almost 4 year old just 16 months ago. Our little one was also VERY attached to her shoes.

I can tell that Norah is a perfect fit for her new parents and you will find immeasurable joy in her sparkly little personality.

Nancy W.
Kaifeng Education Coordinator
Love Without Boundaries

Margaret M said...

Amazing! She is doing so well. Enjoy these precious first days together! Norah is beautiful!!!!

Laurie Wells said...

Glen.. soo happy for you guys! You made me cry and miss China and Love Norah all at the same time!

Laurie Wells

Keri said...

What an absolute doll! I love how expressive her face is. You can just tell she has a lot to say by looking into her eyes. Such an intelligent look in those eyes. She looks adorable in her little outfit in the first picture. So petite. What a happy girl and I don't think I've ever seen two parents smiling any bigger! You have a lovely little girl.

Keri
from the "old" MSN board

Christi and Abbey said...

tears in my eyes, this is awesome!!