Oh What a Great and Glorious Day!!! Hannah is HERE!!! - Part 2

Hannah is in my arms and oh how I love her!!!!

My beautiful daughter Hannah was placed in my arms shortly after 3pm on Monday, November 2nd, 2009!!!

I was immediately struck by how calm she was and how much eye contact she was making!! She put her little head back into my hand and gazed deeply into my eyes just checking me out and soaking it all in. So curious and yet....so calm. God had prepared this time long ago and now He was causing my daughter and I to gaze deep into one another's eyes and begin the time of getting to know one another. And, it was good! So very, very good!!! I truly believe God allowing her to be so young (8 months, 1 week) at the time of our meeting is a HUGE part in her openness to just check me out to see what I was all about. I was speaking quietly to her, telling her how much I loved her and guess what, I was calm too! I was so sure I'd burst into tears when I held her but that happened earlier and then again a few times after I was holding her.

After a number of minutes of gazing at me she took her beautiful little head and placed it on my shoulder and snuggled into my neck! Such an amazing feeling and one that I cannot describe in words!!!

We walked around the room and visited with some of the other families. Many of the babies were calm but as anticipated, families that had received older children were having a rough go of it as these precious little ones understood so much more of what had been changed in their little lives. It's so hard to watch them grieve, hurt and arch their backs away from their parents and yet it's a good thing too as it shows that they know they've lost something and are grieving for that. In time they will understand more but for now they just understand loss.

This picture of Hannah and I is with her travel nanny, rather than the nanny who cared for her on a daily basis. Often this time of handing the babies over to their new families is just too difficult for their primary care giver so anothers travel with them. She offered to hold Hannah for the picture but I wasn't letting go! :o) You would have needed a crow bar to pry my baby out of my arms!! LOL!
The other baby in a similar outfit to Hannah is Emma and they both lived in DaoXian SWI. I don't believe they were in the same room but when they see one another you can tell that they recognize one another and it's precious to see! They even reached out to touch one another's hands....so sweet!

We were at the Civil Affairs Office for about an hour and enjoyed some sweet times together! Check out this video!!! Can you see those smiles and hear the giggles and chattING? Such a happy, happy girl!!!

I wish for so many reasons that I could finish writing about the day but once again am falling asleep at the computer so going to go to bed and then hopefully wake early to write more.

Thanks you for all your comments and emails!! As time permits I will take the time to read each of them and soak in what you have to say. Based on the activity of the past 2 days with Hannah in my life I'm guessing that time might come sometimes when she's 18! Will write more tomorrow....

Gotcha Moment video:


Fingers in Mouth video:


Check Out Those Smiles!! video: