Gotcha Day

Today is Gotcha Day. And guess what? WE GOT HIM! It has already been an amazing day. It's about 1:00 in the afternoon and our little angel is taking a nap. I thought I'd take the opportuntity and quickly blog. (For those of you who may not be able to sleep tonight)

First of all, I'd really like to post some pictures, but there continues to be "Siberian technical glitches" going on here. I'm working on it. Really, I am.

We picked him up around 10am. Everybody was packed into the director's teeny tiny office except for myself. I was standing in the doorway looking in. It was about 10 degrees hotter in the office and I was trying to cool off. (Have I mentioned how HOT it is everywhere we go?) These Siberians are a bunch of wimps when it comes to cold. -Totally different than you'd expect.

I looked down the long hall just in time to see Zac around the corner. I crouched down and held out my arms. He gave me a tender smile and walked all the way down the hallway way to me. When we met he opened up his arms and and gave me a gentle hug. Really. I'm not kidding. It was a Hallmark moment. Truly surreal.

He and I talked and cuddled for awhile while Katie was finishing up various "important background questions". Then Katie got to hold him for a while too. He was so comfortable with us. Not overly friendly. Not fake affection. Just very VERY comfortable. And we are comfortable with him. No fears. Nothing awkward. Just two parents with their new son.

We wrapped up details and goodbyes and packed ourselves into the car. Nothing too eventful happened as we were only about a 5 minute drive from the orphanage. We quietly went up the stairs and down the hall. He began to look a little concerned. Understandable seeing as how today is the first day he's stepped foot outside the baby home in 20 months. Nevertheless, he seemed very comforted by our Russian words. (Side note, I can't begin to emphasize how helpful it's been to know Russian better. I've already had full conversations with him! -Do you have to use the toilet? nyet. Do you want more milk? da.

While in the room, we read books, ate lunch and finished with a bottle. "A bottle?" You may ask. Yes, we've read that bottle feeding toddlers is great for attachment and eye contact. He seemed very relaxed and tired at this point where upon I told him (in Russian, of course) that it was time for a nap. What happened next was amazing. He marched over to the bed, crawled under the covers and immediately lowered his bed on the pillow. He lay flat on his back and began staring at the ceiling. Katie and I both layed down next to him as we thought he may need the comfort. He didn't budge. He didn't wiggle around. He didn't fuss. He didn't roll over on his side. He just went "into the zone". Within 60 seconds, Katie and I both watched him fade off to sleep. It was robotic.

Part of me was thinking "SWEET!!!" but the rest of me knew what this really meant. In his world, you don't have a choice. There is one way to take a nap and we just witnessed it. Don't wait for a book. Don't wait for a song. Nevermind all the noise and other kids crying. Just go into the zone and shut off the world.

It broke my heart.

I can't begin to convey how perfect today has been. Katie and I are in complete disbelief. Are we dreaming? Somebody pinch me. I expected disconnect. I expected terrible twos. What we have instead is perfect love. Perfect family love. I know it doesn't always start like this. This is what is must mean to be blessed.