Thursday, September 9, 2010

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!!!





30 comments:

  1. Crying - loving it. What a doll!

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  2. Thank you so much Marianne. Amanda and I haven't left our computers all day! She is AMAZING Marianne. Lella said, "Mama, she already knows how to smile!" She looks so happy Marianne, and praise the Lord she has been care for so well - how encouraging! I can't wait to hear all of the details. We love you and are thrilled for you guys. She looks little, is she little? My heart is still beating quickly! This is all incredible. Again, thank you for keeping us all updated. BIG HUGS!!!

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  3. Marcus says, "I love her Mama! She's so cute!"

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  4. Ahhhh, she's ADORABLE!!! Yeaaa, you are finally spending time with your little girl!!! WOO HOO!

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  5. SO cute!! Yay on learning how to walk!.

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  6. OK, Marianne, you've got me crying now...but tears of pure joy! God bless you all!

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  7. The best day ever!!!! She is as sweet and beautiful as we dreamed her to be--lots of aaahs and ooohs here in Oceanside:) Big hugs to you all and a big 'ol kiss from Andrew:)!!!

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  8. aw, marianne... just brought tears to my eyes.. happy tears! sOOOOOOO very happy for your now "complete" family! :)

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  9. She is BEAUTIFUL Marianne!!! How exciting that you are finally with your little girl!! Can't wait to hear more and see more photos of her!! Praying things go quickly and smoothly for you all!

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  10. I'm BAWLING! I can't wait to meet her. Our prayers are with you. Praise the Lord!

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  11. I'm BAWLING! We can't wait to meet her ourselves. She's such a treasure. Our prayers will continue to go out for you guys. Praise the Lord.

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  12. I cried!!! I wouldn't allow myself to scroll down until I finished reading but was starting to get worried that there weren't going to be any pictures. Then when I saw the first one, I cried!! I admit it...I am just so happy for you guys and for her. She is doing great with her walking!! There will never be enough pics of her so please keep posting them. Congrats!!

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  13. Tears in our eyes as we watch your first meeting with our 'GREAT' grandchild. We have love in our hearts for you guys.

    Papa & Lala

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  14. She's beautiful!! It's awesome to see you guys there as I have followed this precious girl since last winter!!

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  15. she is absolutely beautiful!!!!!
    so happy for you all!

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  16. Oh Marianne.....Shes beautiful and I cannot wait to see her each and every day through your blog!!

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  17. I could not wait to check the computer today to see you guys with Darya. That is the sweet little face that I remember sitting there smiling at me last jan. Oh Im so excited for you guys. That is great that you guys get to go outside and play with her. We looked outside but everything was covered 3 feet in snow. You can see the little playpens outside, they were covered to the tip in snow. We had a very hard time even driving there. Is Aloyna your facilitator there. Im really happy that you guys are having so much fun. The McDonalds is great right?? The only thing there that made me feel like I was still at home. There was one lady there that spoke english and she was very kind to us. Everyone else laughed because we would point out our food. Most places there have menus in english in case they did not tell you that. Have Fun. Cant wait until tomorrow!!!

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  18. I am so excited. I have been logging on to the internet all day. JJ was so anxious to see but finally I see it first, happy for you guys, cannot wait to meet her.
    Jamy

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  19. she looks wonderful !! So healthy and happy ! What a blessing she has been cared for. I am SO happy for you !

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  20. wow...brings back memories :) she is truly precious and i got teary seeing her meet her mommy and daddy. so happy for you all!

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  21. We are so happy for you guys. She is amazing! I got all tingly reading about your first visits. What an awesome feeling to finally get to meet her and hold her in your arms!

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  22. Awesome! Praise the Lord!

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  23. I'm so excited for you Marianne! We have been praying, I can't wait to show Charley these pictures when she gets up so she can see Darya! Praying everything goes smoothly from here.

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  24. Oh my...what a beauty. I am so happy for you...and her!Blessings.
    Gretchen

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  25. These photos are so precious! I don't even know you guys, and I'm in tears.

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