Day 10 – Day 1 Oslo – Gotcha Day
I’ve tried desperately not to continuously describe things on this trip by drawing comparisons to the happenings of our trip to get London but it’s extremely difficult to do. So hopefully you can bear with me.
Christe woke up earlier than the alarm was set for to get ready and get things ready. As I’ve noted throughout this trip my wife has definitely taken more of China and the China trip this time, but I think this morning she finally got the butterflies.
She packed up cheerios, apple-banana puffies, haw flakes and the previously mentioned apple juice in a bottle, photo album, wa-wa (baby doll), various other toys, diapers, wipes, bibs, a small tent, camping gear, nuclear fall-out-two-week survival kit, a small bed, television from the hotel and a couple q-tips into our small back-pack. Then she set out to try on two or three outfits trying to determine if the prints on her skirts would be “too busy” for his little eyes.
Then she told her husband to get going or we would be late. I on the other hand tried desperately to conceal more American cash than anyone should ever be required to have on them unless they were showing off for the camera on MTV cribs.
Once that had been adjusted into the least uncomfortable position to allow for me to carry the camera, video camera, extra photo cards, tapes and carrying case, we were off to the lobby.
Christe asked me if it felt “real” yet. She then answered her own question by recalling my nonchalant exterior during London’s Gotcha-Day.
I told her, it’s not that it’s not real; it’s just that there is nothing to prepare for. There is nothing I can do to change my fate, our fate, his fate. It will be what it is, nothing more nothing less.
Our guide was waiting along with our driver so there was no anxious waiting, nor were there 10 other families that had beaten us to the lobby to talk about it with. We hoped in the van and we were off.
It was a short drive of maybe 15 minutes with most of that time being made up of listening to our driver and our guide talk about the traffic and us, well of course, looking at the traffic.
Once to the government building, the parking lot guards told our guide it (the room we were looking for) was on the second floor. 25 paces later we were inside and our guide asked again to be told it was on the third floor. Up a few flights of stairs to knock on a door and wouldn’t you know it, it’s on the second floor. Down to the second floor, we knocked on the door and, nope not that room. Back to the first floor, wait a minute, I think I hear a lot of talking in a room we just passed, so back to the second floor (Yes I will be editing all that video out). So we take a quick right (all the other times we went left) and in through the door we went.
The Front Door To The Government Building
Contrary to any history that will state otherwise in the future, there is no actual picture of the exact moment Christe was handed LeFeng. I got it within the first 30 seconds or so.
There were two other families in the room already playing with their children and filling out paperwork. Our son was being held by what I came to know was the vice-director of his orphanage.
We were following the guide into the room to look at a long table and quite a few “official” personnel. I think she presumed that we would fill out some paperwork be introduced to our son and then an official hand-over would take place. NOPE!
Christe went two paces and said, “Ah! LeFeng!” and the orphanage director will a little less than a turn-around in her chair (her back was to the door) lifted him up and he was in Christe’s hands.
The First Photo Together
I did my best to take pictures and capture video as my wife narrated for me, our son’s current status.
“He’s smaller than I expected”
“He doesn’t smell”
“He doesn’t seem dirty”
“His hair is course”
“His thighs are so thick”
Etc
Mommy And Oslo
She did this while being talked to by others, directing me and making sure she was getting a bottle in his mouth.
Gone were the days of Peggy (the guide from our former trip) meticulously planning out every moment, every piece of paperwork, every piece of schedule, every-everything.
I was having to put the camera down to do paperwork only to believe I was done to be back at the table to do more. Our little boys famous footprint in red-ink was literally done while I was at the table with my back to him.
Daddy And Oslo
Anyway, shortly after I “offered” the orphanage donation and paid for what I’m sure was red-ink and the gas for all the people in the room we were done and we were off.
Inside The Government Office
Next was a short jaunt to a quickie-photo or some sort of the like, to get our family photo for the official adoption tomorrow. Which as it turns out, will not be available until tomorrow morning. Then we went to a bank so that I could exchange USD to RMB for the fees for tomorrow. Now back at the hotel, we’ve been through a few rounds of testing out different options of food, bottles, toys etc.
Unlike London, Oslo believes, Cheerios and Apple Jacks are NOT snacks, they are instead toys and haw flakes are ok if nothing else is around.
We have changed his clothes are not able to keep his entire Gotcha Day outfit as he made use of diaper. We will also be on the famed poo-poo patrol for the next (hopefully only) couple days until he goes and we can move to be considered good parents.
Also none of his shoes fit that we have purchased for him seem too big. He has the wildest chunky little feet with super short toes. So we will have to try to get him some shoes here, that fit. That however will have to wait as all of us are tired and need a nap.
Hopefully more later, enjoy!
