Gabe is HERE!!

Thank you Lord, sweet Gabe is now in my bed and forever with my family!!  Today was exciting, and rather calm - much calmer than I ever anticipated.  At 3 pm my guide and I went to the Provincial Adoption office to meet Gabe, he came in a few minutes later and saw me as soon as he came in the door.  He immediately smiled and his nanny brought him to me.  She handed him a bag and he pulled out the photo album I had sent him, opened it to the first page, pointed to my photo, pointed to me and smiled.  Oh my heart just melted right there!!

He played some in the area while they completed paperwork. He had his mickey mouse backpack stuffed with food and candy so he was quite content - walking around hugging his nanny and then coming back to check me out every few minutes.  We went on like this for about a half hour before he caught interest in my camera.  Within two minutes he had learned how to flip through all the photos and turn the screen back on when it timed off.  Another electronics whiz on our hands here I think!!! :-)

We spent about 45 minutes in the office and then it was time to leave.  There were no tears, however Gabe did have to be carried out as he refused to walk.  He was angry I was taking him (carrying him) so he pinched and kicked me for about a minute, but then it was over.  I really anticipated much more drama, but I got nothing.

Off we went to the hotel where we played some more, changed our clothes and got ready for dinner.  Within one hour of Gabe being in the hotel with me, he had already begun signing!  The nannies told us they did not use any sign with him at all, they just pointed to things and talked to him.  I asked about his deafness (did they think he heard some?) and they said they were sure he hears nothing, so I'm not really sure why they thought it'd help to talk to him (like come up behind him and speak into his ear!), but I digress.  

So, within that first hour Gabe already knew to sign "thirsty" when he wanted a drink, "eat" when he wanted food, and "all done" when he was finished with something.  He was, by the end of our dinner, signing all three signs independently!  He is also mimicking every hand motion I make - he has signed "water" because I signed it, "sit down", "play", "ball", and a ton of other stuff.  He's waving hi and bye to people - and really just blows my mind in all he can do, and all he has already learned.

When we were at dinner he knew to take his napkin (a wet wash cloth) and clean his hands and face, and then - get this - he folded the napkin back into a small square and placed it on it's holder.  I seriously nearly fell out of my chair!  Oh what a difference it makes between a good and not-so-good orphanage.  

Tonight Gabe has started crying off and on, he was nearly sobbing when I left him in the bed and went to the potty.  I can see that he's okay with being here as long as he can see me, but when I am missing he flips out.  I can't blame him - you can tell he is a very brave boy - he seems like he is scared, but just doesn't want to show it.  It makes me wonder how many times he has been moved, how many times he's had to be brave, it really makes my heart sad...

All in all, I really am in awe and excited.  I pray that he sleeps well tonight and realizes that I am here forever and that we all love him so much.  I can't wait to see what new signs he'll learn tomorrow!   And I really can't wait for him to get home and meet the rest of his family!  Skype is fun, but we want the real thing!  

Tomorrow we will go back to the Provincial offices and Gabe will be officially adopted...and then on Friday (yes, I'm looking ahead!) we are headed to Guangzhou to finalize the adoption there through a medical, TB test, Consulate appointment and receipt of Gabe's passport.

Gabe with one of his nanny's

Food always makes things better

Our official family photo (terrible, I know!)

I'm a funny man if you let me see the camera afterward

He might like me a bit already! :-)

My guide & Jiangsu officials doing paperwork for us

My first moment in my new clothes before dinner