Gotcha Day for Daniel

What a whirlwind of a day. Finally, 2 PM came and we could go to the Government building to receive Daniel. There were MANY, MANY families also receiving their children today. We arrived a little early so we were able to watch the moms and dads extend their arms for the first time. I especially loved watching the first-time parents.

Suddenly, Daniel walked into the room holding onto the orphanage workers hand. I think he recognized us at once since we had sent a photo album of all of us a few months back. He started to hide and wanted nothing to do with us. MaryCatherine immediately approached him and gave him candy (I love bribery!). However, he became hysterical and wanted no part of it. There was no settling him down, so we quickly scooped him up and got back into the van to the hotel. He cried the entire way home. Once we got to the room he gradually became interested in the toys we had for him. He LOVED the DVD player! MaryCatherine was absolutely great. She continued bringing him toys and trying to console him.

He finally settled down completely and began interacting with us as we played with him. I am pleased to say he is completely potty-trained. Yay! No more diapers. He LOVES the spiderman sandals that light up when he walks and is continually stomping his feet.

We went out to dinner about an hour after we got to the room. Daniel did well and devoured a plate of corn and beef. He is a peanut of a boy...smaller and much lighter than MaryCatherine.

The orphanage worker warned us to keep a close eye on him since he is very smart and may figure out how to escape if we are not careful. Great.

-Liz

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When we were at the adoption building, it was immediately obvious that having MaryCatherine was a huge asset. She was the only one he let approach him. He cried so hard, as soon as we got him, during the car ride back, and in the hotel. Even our bribes of food and candy didn't work. He started to settle down after getting to the hotel, but didn't really smile until dinner.

MaryCatherine put Charlie Brown on our little DVD player. He went over to it and started pressing ALL the buttons. I showed him how to open it, and put Mulan in. Then I switched it to Mandarin (My favorite thing about that DVD is that it's got Chinese audio. Most American DVDs only have English, French, and Spanish). We started pointing at all the people and things: "It's Mulan! Doggy! Baba, Daddy!" He got really into it, mimicking what I said and pointing as well, plus his own comments in Chinese.

Now MaryCatherine and Daniel are in the bath together. He dumped water on her head and laughed maniacally! MaryCatherine screams and whines when I get water in her face while washing her hair; she was a little taken aback but soon she started pouring water on him too.

I said, "Daniel, smile!" and he gave me this huge grin!!

-Sarah