We woke up earlier than we probably wanted to on Monday. We took our time getting ready since, after all, we were just going to do paperwork today and wait until Tuesday to meet our girl. Downstairs at the Union was a fun sight to see: a long table with all the AGCI families that had arrived Sunday evening/night. We met everyone and talked for awhile. It is so great to hear other families stories and how they came to adopt. Every story I heard struck me as amazing and wonderful; I was blessed to be in such wonderful company.
After eating another excellent breakfast (this time it was French Toast....absolutely incredible, like a triangle donut) we finally saw Almaz come to the door! It was kind of like seeing a movie star! I've seen pictures of her, read about her, and heard about her, but I got nervous when I saw her. She was great; she put us at ease while talking about paperwork, exchanging money, etc. I'd heard she would mention each child's name and something about them while talking, but everyone was mentioned except ours! Aaaah...my heart was almost beating out of my chest! (It dawned on me that I was sitting next to a female, so perhaps she thought I was with her?) Afterwards, I asked about Tesfanesh and how she'd react to me. She said, "It'll be hard. Good luck Dad." (!)
At some point, as she was filling us in on the rest of the day's activities (pretty much only shopping as far as we knew), she said "somewhere there's been confusion. We're going to get your kids in like 5 minutes guys, but I need you to listen closely to what I'm going to say next about the Embassy appointment." WHAT!? I was about to meet her? No way! Will she like me? Sleep okay? Take a bottle from me?
In true graduate student form, I took copious notes of the Embassy appointment, none of which were retained in my head the following day at the appointment, and sprinted up the stairs for cameras, batteries, etc. I don't remember talking to anyone or thinking of anything in particular; but suddenly I was on the cobblestone path leading up to Hannah's Hope to meet my daughter!
The Cobblestone Path
"Hey, take the picture vertically so we...CLICK" (Not thinking clearly; meeting daughter soon)
The famous gate
Walking through the gate
Gotcha Juniper Tesfanesh!Yeah, I felt joy. She felt fear. Absolutely gripped with fear. I mentioned earlier that we were warned she was fearful of white faces. "Fearful" is what Jana is in line for a rollercoaster. "Absolutely gripped with terror" was appropriate for the moment. Poor girl. I held her for a second, but the special moms took her back because she was so scared. I was okay with it all; I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible, so I just prayed she'd warm up to me somehow.
I took some pictures of other families which was fun to watch and see. I admired our beautiful girl from a distance, trying to send the "I'm a good guy" vibe to her. I was thinking she got it, but then I tried to hold her again and she cried immediately. The special moms couldn't take it anymore and rushed her inside. (Funny thing is, that was Jana's first reaction to me!)
I enjoyed more of other families' gotcha day moments and we all had to say goodbye to the kids while we made a quick shopping trip....
More to come!
4 comments:
so much emotion!!!! it is so crazy to go back through this intense experience "with" someone else. though i wish that first meeting could have been easier on you both, i am so glad that she was able to make that connection with you and jana too. she may have been terrified now, but she knows and trusts you now!!! anxiously awaiting the next post! it will be fun to watch junie's transformation from fear to bonding.
Finally, someone out there posted about a meeting that involved the child not being happy...because this happens all the time. It's very normal. It's exactly what I expect too b/c our Oranges isn't so fond of white people either. Thanks for making me feel better about the first meeting. This situation can be so terrifying for the children b/c of all the fast and drastic change in their lives. I want to savor the moment of the first meeting and the week in Ethiopia, but I also can't wait to get her home and have her in her normal routine so she can start feeling more comfortable. Can't wait to read more!!! She is absolutely adorable! That little smile is amazing.
Your three girls are so pretty--and they are all so photogenic! Your pictures are just precious!
Hanging on to every word about your trip...
I agree with Theresa--it's natural and a good sign for a small child to not feel comfortable with strangers.
Looking forward to Part 2.
I'm loving all the details of your trip and the gotcha day. I can't wait to read more.
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