Leah at Last!

Let's be honest. You don't really care about what Angela is eating for breakfast or the difference between jade and jadite. You could care less that we are considered heroes in this foreign land for climbing some 8500 steps, or that our air travel had its ups and downs. In fact, you really don't care too much about Angela and I other than that we stay safe so that we can bring Leah home. No worries -- we are okay knowing that we are just the co-stars in this drama. But you can finally get out the popcorn and tissues. The previews are over and the real show can begin!

After breakfast this morning, we gathered with four other families (the other half of our group will meet their children this afternoon) to head over to the adoption bureau to meet Leah. There was another group from a different agency already in the office so we received our children in a plain, dimly lit hallway. Two families were united before us and events went smoothly. When the third little girl was brought out, she began crying and we knew it was Leah!

Unlike Jeremy, she was more comfortable with Angela than me, and she settled down once her nanny was out of sight. She sat quietly in Angela's lap while daddy signed the paperwork and took pictures. She seemed interested in the cameras flashing around the room. She spent several minutes analyzing Angela, but mostly just rolled her eyes whenever I tried to be silly. That's okay -- I have plenty of years to convince her that that's just how I am. I don't mind playing the support role to mom versus the front line that I was initially given with Jeremy.

The boys will be happy to hear that Leah has a strong grip, more than adequate for wielding a light saber, sword or gun. She didn't seem interested in the purple bunny or the Cheerios we brought with us, but that was understandable with all the commotion going on around us.

After all the families had finished the initial paperwork, we left the building and proceeded down the street to get the family portraits that will be attached to the adoption certificate we receive later. It was while we were in that shop that Leah stood with minimal support from mom. She made a few quiet sounds that we didn't recognize, and remained observant of all that was going on around her. She continually checked Angela out and gave me the suspicious eye.

When we finally left the photo center, we walked several blocks back to the hotel. Leah was calm the entire time, and the only issues we had were keeping Angela fresh for carrying Leah the entire time (we credit the one hundred pushups program she's been following with her success!). With all the clothes she is wearing, she resembles a middle linebacker and requires a full bear hug to completely encircle her girth!

Angela took Leah straight to our room when we got back anticipating a nap from the yawns, and lazy eyes coming from mom and daughter. I stayed behind long enough to get a little more information from our guides, Yisha (ee-sha) and Evelyn. When I got to the hallway where our room was located, I saw Angela with Leah in the hallway. Apparently Leah wasn't very keen on the hotel room. She apparently indicated to Angela that she was to put on her coat shortly after taking it off, most likely in expectation of being returned to her nanny! Leah said some choice words which we assumed meant "auntie" or "nanny." We finally made our way into the room where Leah again sat quietly on Angela's lap on the bed. It was apparent that she was ready for a nap -- unfortunately there was a dirty diaper between now and naptime!

We decided to take the plunge, noting that neither of us had smelled a foul odor like the one coming from the diaper in many, many months. In the back of our heads, I think we knew that the mild tempered routine couldn't last forever and we were spot on. After all, everyone knows that only the primary caregiver changes a child's diaper, and let's face it -- the three of us all knew that wasn't us! As we began to remove the first of many layers of clothing, we were introduced to Leah's vocal cords. Readers will be happy to note that Leah will have no problem getting the family's attention when necessary. She has a piercing voice that could not be placated. I was caught off guard when the diaper was first removed, but then remembered that he had indeed adopted a girl this time!

Thankfully Angela still has the touch when it comes to efficiently replacing a diaper and the noise died down as a fresh pair of pants replaced the "snow bib" and "long johns" she originally came with. We left the linebacker's padding with undershirt on top as we didn't want to push our luck. At one point daddy tried to hold her to help mommy with the change, but that met with a straightened, locked back and more crying so I yielded immediately. I learned my lesson with Jeremy and had no desire to match wits with Leah!

With the diaper change event over, mommy took Leah and sat on the hotel bed with her back propped up by pillows. It took only ten minutes or so for Leah to finally give in to sleepy eyes and settle down for a nap. Angela is happily resting and reading a book while I follow the football scores online and write this entry (never thought I'd be rooting for the Cowboys!).

We have no idea what to expect when Leah re-awakes or how we plan to handle lunch, more paperwork, and playtime. Of course, we both knew this day was coming so we are prepared to be flexible and accommodating. Hopefully both parents and daughter will be ready when the time comes to board a plane for Guangzhou and later, Charlotte. If the families with children along are any indication, Jeremy and Eli will be a welcome sight to Leah's inquisitive nature. The boys better be prepared for her Jedi mind tricks when she steps off the plane on Christmas day...