Introducing ~ Our Sweet Little Princess

Today was the day that we have waited for. It will be exactly 8 months tomorrow that we first saw Mollie's picture. This day has been an absolute blessing from above. She is the sweetest little thing. The director of the orphanage and the nanny arrived at the hotel at about 9:50 this morning. I first saw her right outside the door as they were coming in the hotel. I knew right away it was her. She did not want to have anything to do with me or David. I first tried talking to her and gave her some candy. I was dying to hold her, but didn't want to push her. After about 10 minutes or so, the director of the orphanage just put her in my arms. She was not a happy camper! We soon decided to take her up to our room, thinking it would help if she couldn't see the nannies. She cried almost non stop for about 2 hours. She always let us hold her and console her and she never tried to push away. This was a good sign. We could tell that she had bonded with the nanny. It was obvious that the nannies loved her very much.

Now, about our princess. She has a little bit of a cold, but no fever. Just a little cough. The director brought medicine for her cough. She also gave us all the gifts we sent to her. There were blankets, a doll, a sleeper (that's 2 sizes too big) and the disposable camera we sent for them to take pictures. She loves all of her toys we brought ~ the books and cups. And she especially likes the doll that Grace picked out for her! She hasn't said a word yet but we think we saw her first little smile that lasted about 2 seconds (long enough to make mommy cry!) Developmentally, she seems almost on target for her age. Her fine motor skills are very good. She loves to turn the pages in her books. She loves to hold our finger to walk. David just gave her a bottle and she is looking pretty sleepy! She hasn't slept since we've had her. So we are hoping for a good nights rest for all of us!

She is about the size we thought she was going to be. She is about 30 inches tall and weighs about 20 pounds. All the clothes we brought for her will fit just fine. She's a little more plump than Grace was at this age. On the other hand, her feet are big. The shoes we brought are too small. But we can get her some here. We've already had her out shopping and she loves it. (a must in our family!) Oh, and she has already pooped and peed (probably not something you wanted to know) but that is a good sign that everything is working! She had her first bath and got all lotioned up. And she wore her first bow today and left it in! She ate very well today and loves her bottle! (great for bonding!) Well, I could go on and on about her! She is absolutely precious!

Today was also Father's Day. We celebrated this evening with KFC. Mollie (or I should say LuLu ~ that is what she was called in the orphanage and what we will call her for a while) gave her Daddy a sweet little book all about daddies for Father's Day. The kids snuck cards that they made for both of us in the suitcases. Thank you for them. We loved them and we can't wait to get back home. We have the best kids!

Yes, some people may think we are crazy ~ doing bottles and diapers again at the age of 45 but we LOVE it! God has truly poured out His blessings on us today and we are overwhelmed with great joy! This isn't about what we are doing but what he has done for us!

Andrew, Emily, Nathan & Grace ~ We love you all and will be home in 12 days!

Thanks to Mom, Pam & Glen, Terri, Gina, Tammy & Gary (my technical support)! We couldn't be here without your help with the kids and all of your support!

Love,

David, Barb & LuLu (Mollie)

~ Every good and perect gift is from above, coming down from the Father James 1:17

Oh, by the way we got our luggage today!!!!