Five years ago, on a beautiful autumn day in Beijing, we met our daughter for the first time. I had envisioned all sorts of scenarios of what it would be like to finally meet our little one... but I wasn't prepared for her to sleep through the big event. :)
She slept while we walked through New Day Foster Home, she slept while we played with some of the kids in the playroom, and finally woke up when we headed outside.
I was armed with books, snacks, and anything else that might be a temporary diversion as we drove back to the hotel. She was nervous (she still sucks on her bottom lip when she's nervous), but she was also very interested in the scenery.
When we arrived back at the hotel, our guide and my husband went to get some baby formula that was the same brand that Sarah was accustomed to. Once they left, the tears began to flow. I had bubbles in my bag, and quickly fished them out to show them to her. For the life of me, I couldn't get the blasted foil covering off the bubble bottle!! I reached in my pocket for my keys, determined to stab the foil, but realized that I hadn't brought my keys with me to China.
So Sarah cried louder and kept pointing to the bubbles. I took her outside to distract her. She continued to cry, and people who were passing by stared at the odd spectacle of a Caucasian woman trying to console a Chinese baby. I continued to look for something to stab the bubble bottle (a rock! a piece of wire!) but alas, I was not having much success.
Shortly thereafter, our guide returned, talked with Sarah, and we all relaxed. :)
Goldfish crackers were a hit at the airport, and soon our little one started to open up to us, little by little.
Today, five years later, Sarah is an energetic, precocious, and determined first grader. She loves to dance, do gymnastics, and keep up with her four older brothers. She is a force to be reckoned with, our little Sarah Mei.
Happy forever family day, Sarah! We love you to the moon and back!
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