The Day We've All Been Waiting For...

I was ecstatic to find an email with pictures in my inbox this morning, and couldn't wait to share the following with you:

Meeting Riley

The Happy Family

I'll let Michelle share about their special day in her own words:

Hello Everyone!

I just snuck down to the lobby to email you all while the 3 kids sleep! Ha! Riley is a real sweetheart!!! The orphanage either called her Ray-Ray or Riley.

When we arrived at the registration office Riley was the first child waiting for us. There was a small built man standing on the steps waiting for us. We didn't even have a chance to walk into the building! She looked so big when we saw her, but now looking at her i think she looked so small because of the man holding her! haha

She was very nervous, and felt like a limp noodle holding her. Though when I tried to set her down she would hold on. Nick was totally over the moon!!! He was doting over her constantly, and was trying to do everything possible to make her comfortable.

We mailed her a gift months ago, and the man from the orphanage returned it to us. The photo book of us looked like it was very used, so she must have looked at it often. She held onto it tightly, and did not want to let it out of her sight.

The orphanage also prepared a beautiful album of her life there, and it has a message written in Chinese in the front. Our guide will translate for us later.

Nick and Riley sat together on the bus back to the hotel. Nick stood up once time, and Riley patted his seat with her hand showing that she wanted him to sit back down with her. SO CUTE! Later she wanted me to hold her and I think she was very sleepy.

We got back to the motel, and the guide stopped in to see how everything was going. Nick and Riley were sitting on the chair together watching Nick's DVD player. She must have saw something that she liked and yelled "Mama" and looked at me referring to the DVD!!! We all laughed, and could not believe she was referring to me as MAMA already. Someone at the orphanage must have really prepared her.

Later Ted went to a near by Chinese restaurant to get her rice and dumplings for her lunch...and ours too. Nick and I stayed back with Riley. They sat together and Nick got her to laugh for the first time!!! She has the most amazing dimples!!! Nick could not have been more proud of himself knowing he was able to make her laugh. Nick also insisted on feeding her the rice. But then Teddy was finally able to slide in and feed her, which is great for bonding and trust.

She doesn't seem to be able to drink out of our children's cups, and not sure if it's due to her lip or not. Ted will go to Walmart with the group for supplies and will get the things we need.

She was very sleepy after eating and nIck and her shared a bed. She feel asleep very quickly but had to keep her eyes on me until she finally slept. Which gave me the time to sneak away and write to you all. WIll probably not have time to do this later. We will have a busy day tomorrow. I need to go fill out paperwork at 3 pm while Ted watches..."the kids" Sounds crazy.

Ted has some really good pics on his camera, but I can only use mine for now.

Love you all,
Michelle & family

We are thrilled beyond words about the new addition to our family! These photos brought tears to our eyes and smiles to our faces. It's an amazing and precious moment! =)

Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

They're worth a thousand words, aren't they?