GOTCHA DAY!!!

Gotcha! What a happy boy!

I don't think that today could have been any more perfect. I woke up very nervous and sick to my stomach, but that has miraculously disappeared now that I have my little guy beside me.

We arranged to go to the children's home at 1pm. We knew we would be taking pictures of the other children. A wonderful lady whose name I didn't write down (aargh) met us and drove with us over to where the infants and special needs children are. The staff were so wonderful, kind, warm, and obviously very dedicated to these children. We were told not to expect to see the infants, but we actually were able to do this! Amazing babies, one only two days old. We recieved a picture of Max at 2 months old from a family that had been traveling at that time that is so special to us.

Next we met with Ms. Roy and did all of the necessary paperwork and reviewed his schedule, etc. She also was concerned that our paperwork had not made it from the embassy to the consulate. We were told "no problem no problem" at the embassy yesterday, and have been calling yesterday afternoon and all day today. Supposedly they will fax it within the next half hour, but they haven't done anything else they've said that they would, so I'm a little nervous. But, if we have to stay an extra day at least we have Max, and I will not let this ruin this day. It is minor, and my wonderful hubby is dealing with it anyway.

Then, we got to meet Rup. His Ayah handed him to me and he was all smiles and cuddles. He has a little bruise on his head that Ms. Roy told us he got yesterday from rough housing with the other kids. Nancy, it sounds like your daughter beat up my son :) We took lots of pictures and videos and got to watch all of the children interact with each other. Max is walking all over the place already and was all about playing with his ball. Myles and Papa, he's all ready to play football with the boys :)

He was obviously attatched to his Ayah, and we are so thankful for these amazing women. When we said goodbye, Max waved to everyone. He immediately snuggled and fell asleep in the car. He's still asleep beside me right now, sucking on his fingers. He and Maddie will be kindered spirits :)

We took 200 pics while we were there, many of them of the other children. So here ya go, some of our favorites. . .

Our first Glimpse

Mom and Max - obviously happy

Mom finally let Daddy hold him.

Nana and Max playing ball

And this is where I am now. All tired out and sound asleep.

On our way to the orphanage, we stopped to get some treats for the dear people at the orphanage. Mom and Dan went in and I stayed with the car. I wish I could remember the name of our driver. He was very sweet and was our driver the whole time we were in Kolkata. While they were in the store, a woman with a very young baby came up to the car and kept knocking on the windows asking for money, gesturing that her baby needed milk. We were prepared for this, however right then it was more than I could take. I was on my way to get my baby, seeing all of the poverty that he could have been a part of. I was crying, and she was very persisitant. The driver kindly asked her to leave, but she persisited. Dan had all of our money - I had nothing that I could have given her. If I had, despite the warnings we recieved, I would have given her anything. I was able to pull myself together for the most part before we got to the chilrens' home.

I was so surprised that I didn't cry upon meeting Rup. But the home was so wonderful, and being able to go to the other building and focus on pics of the other kids was perfect. I wouldn't change anything about this day.