Musings from Daddy

Big brother is awesome!

Her first bath with our family.

This is a post from Dave in his own words. Keep in mind, he has not really slept much in the last two days. It is stream of conscious but beautiful to me:

I woke up at 6 a.m. and tinkered around the room. I am already very nervous. I don't feel prepared -- I only had two years to get ready. Why is it time so quickly? We went to China Civil Affairs office around 10:30 am. The children arrived in two different vans apparently. (different orphanages?) Three families, I think, met their children at basically one time in a noisy, busy, room that may have had a flow to those used to it. Other 4 families waited and wondered, and I was one of those. About twenty minutes later, our children arrived, and all were placed with us at more or less the same moment. We were not called out to the middle of a room in a one-by-one fashion. So- three families are very busy trying to cope with their new children, and four families are receiving children, trying to take it in, be strong and loving for the new child, have pictures taken, have video taken, make bottles, calm the cries, and wondering what to do next (as in next minute and next 10 minutes, and next hour).

I met Lu Dan Ru (Kate), it was a wonderful and nerve-racking and reality-setting-in all at once, standing there with my 9 year old son who is saying "she's beautiful Dad", half way across the world. Wondering 'what to do now?' Feed? Sit? Stand? Have brother hold? Where is the care-giver? The foster parent did not make the trip. Perhaps she is not allowed - maybe it is the orphanages responsibility only? Is she healthy? She's big. Wow. Arms are getting tired. Couples all around me crying tears of joy. Equal number of babies crying tears of fear. Mom would know what to do - but I only had Will to ask - what now Will? We coped - we stroked her, we kissed her, we hugged her, we cooed at her, we got peed on, we are now family. Do I make sense? I entered into this with about 4 hours sleep. Once a bit settled down (not really), we went through a brief interview process one family at a time. We needed certain papers at certain times. After we made it through this, we came back to the hotel. We then were told to have "one parent" to go and do some paper work. I was the only parent, so I, Lu Dan Ru (Kate) and Will all went to the conference room. I filled out papers. Will said he locked the key in the hotel room. Our guides (they're great) got Dan Ru to smile across the table, between signatures. Will told me his Nintendo DS is gone - missing - likely stolen. And we're locked out. I can't find a most critical paper. Panic time. Without this paper, I cannot receive the status of Parent. It is needed for the interview/meeting where I sign to become fully responsible. I cannot say no after this meeting - but I can't find the paper for it. Maybe we can generate a new one in the US and get four levels of authentication and overnight it here within 24 hours. Ten minutes later - I found it. I'm set. I can quit shaking. What, me panic? I set a new standard. We weren't locked out of the room The Nintendo DS was where I put it - in a suitcase. We can proceed. I am a lone tree on the wrong side of a hurricane. Then....we had the meeting, everything worked out just as planned and perfect, and Dan Ru is working on becoming Kate Emerson and Dad is working on trying to become the calm and mellow person he typically (obviously not always) is, and being a caring Dad.
Back to the hotel. Everyone made it through.

Kate is still fussy to me. She won't drink a bottle. Put on carry-thing (whats it called?) and Will and I walk around. We meet an Australian group in the play area. They ask me if the Rumor Queen is part of our group. She's here, they say. The Aussie group is one day ahead of us. They had Pizza Hut delivered for several families. I have an idea of how to be popular with our group. No telling on me. Wondered down to the lobby and went to the buffet. I missed lunch, stomach acid churning, trying to unwind, Dan Ru Kate is chilled out in the snuggli. She goes to the high chair easily. The women waitstaff are great. They see I haven't done the highchair and baby girl thing for a while, if at all. They help. They tuck in a napkin as a bib because I didn't take one. Would any Mom not take a bib? Dan Ru Kate eats a whole bowl on Com Chi (fix the spelling, Kim) and some bread tidbits. She's happy. I eat bread, a little rice, two bites of chicken, another bread. Stomach churn is starting to recede. Will enjoys gluten AND cheese AND Sprite all in one meal. Wow - glad Mom isn't here. He earned and deserved whatever he wanted. No Five Guys here, so we made do with local gluten, dairy and sugar.

Made it back up stairs, talked to Mom, talked with Aunt Dawn. Gave Dan Ru Kate a bath. She cried, but not nearly as bad as I thought she would. Will helped. Will helped all day. I should have said that in every other sentence. He carried the backpack, he watched security for abandoned Passport while I had to go somewhere, he sat when I said to, and he never got in any one's way. He never complained. He got Dan Ru Kate to laugh after dinner but before bath. I haven't accomplished that yet. But I think she wants to trust me. That's good, well maybe that is great and what I'm really after for at least one of my many roles and goals for now. I got the other solo Dad and Non traveling Mom together on my webcam setup so Mom in PA saw her daughter (live) this evening. Our group works as a team. I've been helped more than once. I tried to help someone. We're a scruffy bunch - but we work it out together pretty well so far. Dan Ru fell asleep on my belly and I set her into her crib. I will do whatever it takes to keep her trust. It's a play it as it comes situation. She and I don't know each other well - but I have a feeling she's going to like our family, I guess I mean her family. She's got an awesome set of brothers to whip into shape pretty soon. And as for Mom, she's already jello. And me, you make the call. I know where I'm going with this one.

Okay, tissues please? I have the BEST husband in the world!