The Big Day!

Suffice to say that we are exhausted, but in love!!

We took the overnight train and arrived to Darya's city early this morning.  No one was there to pick us up, but it worked out alright.  We were supposed to deliver some papers to somebody here for another facilitator and he met us as we got off the train.  Later he came back to pick up another couple and took us to McDonald's where were were able to get some breakfast and talk.  Our interpreter then met us there and took us to our apartment where we had about an hour to unload our things and rest.  At 9:00am she and the driver picked us up. We made a few stops (local administration building, then to the notary to drop off the papers).  Then we finally went to the orphanage!

We met with the orphanage director and some other people where we were given some information about Darya.  She had corrective heart surgery last November, but is doing well and overall pretty healthy.  We received some of her personal history but will likely wait until after court to share it. The big moment arrived and she was brought in!  Oh, my, what a doll!  She was a little shy at first but quickly warmed up to us.  Her speech therapist was there (great that she's getting some therapy!) who appeared to really care for her. She told us that Darya loves music class, can walk while holding on the edge of something, can point to her nose, chin, cheek, and say a couple of words!!  She said she loves to be tickled under her chin :-)

They then whisked her away, and we were on our way. We got the "rules" and our visitor card which we will bring each visit (twice a day).  We went back to our apartment, ate lunch, got some groceries, then went back for our afternoon visit.  They brought her out to us in warm clothes and we were pointed to go outside.  We happily took her out there and just loved on her!  She is such a doll and we are in love with this little girl already.  She is very sweet, smiles, and loves to try to walk! She really wanted to get on the ground, but there was no where appropriate to crawl.  After about a little over an hour, she was getting a little grumpy and we could tell she was tired, so we let her go back to her caregivers.  We are looking forward to tomorrow's visit!

Okay, what you've been waiting for!  Without further ado, I give you Darya!:

Our introduction

First afternoon visit - what a bundle of love!

Daddy's girl

Weeee!!!