Gotcha Day

"We are willing to adopt Zhuang Lu He with all our hearts. We decided to adopt a baby girl from China because of our fondness and respect for the Chinese people and culture. We promise that we will never abuse, mistreat or abandon this baby. We promise that we will bring her up healthy and try to meet all her needs."
Paragraph written by us for the adoption forms filled out at Gotcha Day
We arrived at the airport and took a bus to our hotel. On the way we learned that the babies were arriving early and that we would barely have enough time to get into our rooms before we would go downstairs to receive our child. We filed into a conference room where the babies were with members of the orphanage.
As we entered they started calling out their names. Audrey was one of the last to be presented. Just like her photo she had that inquisitive-but-cautious look about her. It did not take her long to figure out the deal and let everyone in the room know she was not consulted on this and was not too happy about it. She cried on and off for about an hour and slowly she started to warm up to us. First to Bert then to me. She hasn't taken a bottle yet, but loves Gerber banana puffs.
Oh yeah, and she's ADORABLE.

More pictures from Gotcha Day:

Our group in the Kuntai lobby waiting to be picked up for shuttle to airport.

First glimpse at our room before we rushed down to meet to go to the conference room for Gotcha Day!

This stroller was never used.  The rest of our group enjoyed their courtesy strollers.

The big bed was helpful for early bonding, general organizing (we were frantic for those few days to make Audrey feel at ease), diaper changes, etc.

Another baby item never used.

And a 3rd baby item never used.   Although we read Audrey enjoyed bathing we did not experience this while we were traveling. Possibly she could sense how nervous we were.

Sandra and I waiting for everyone to arrive so we could walk to the conference room.  That is her dear mother in the background.  Everyone loved Margaret.  To me Sandra and I don't look nervous which I don't believe either of us were at this point, just excited.  Sandra and I had been exchanging emails since we were first logged in on May 18, 2006.

First glimpse of the conference room.  Prior to walking in Shirley asked us if we thought we would know our baby when we saw them.  I believed I would and I did!  In this picture Audrey is the baby on right hand side holding the paper and being held by the man in red.

Maria B receiving Lily (one of the youngest babies in our group).  Maria's husband Darren is in red filming.  Our Nanchang guide "Mary" is facing Maria and I believe it was Mary reading the names of the babies on Gotcha Day.

Sandra, Yun Yun (soon to be Chloe R.0, myself and He He (soon to be Audrey Lu He).  At first Audrey was just confused.

And then she got a little fussier.

Sandra gave me some puffs which I was trying to appease her with.

But that was not going to work.  She was not happy and she let everyone in that conference room know it.  In this picture I think Yun Yun's expression is interesting ...kinda like "what are you so upset about He He."

Back in the room.  Her cheeks were so red from crying so long.  Slowly we were peeling off the many layers she arrived in.  It was very warm in our rooms but we were advised through all the classes not to change their clothes too quickly as this can be very traumatic.

She was scared but she also wanted to be held and walked around.  I remember our arms ached from carrying her all the time even though she barely weighed 17 lbs.