Gotcha Day!

We have been without internet access for the last two days, so I apologize for the lack of news coming from us.  It has been a very full few days since meeting Shelby.  Honestly, Scott and I were a little overwhelmed, especially Monday, by a number of things - the main three being lack of sleep, heat (oh SO hot), and Shelby herself.  Tuesday went much better, and we moved back to our apartment that evening.  We got our first full nights sleep since being here.  Shelby continued to stay at the home that day, but we took her for outings, fed her, bathed her, and played with her.  The missionaries took us to see the area where Shelby was from.  We drove up and down "her" streets and even explored a market in her town.  It was a very cultural experience that we will share more about when we get home.

Wednesday was the BIG day for us.  We took Shelby in to her doctor's appointment.  This is the doctor that is in charge of all her physical and occupational therapy.  The therapists and doctor here have seen Shelby every week over the past year.  It was good to hear of her progress and the hope the doctor has for her.  Then we took her out to McDonalds for the first time.  She really liked the french fries!  After that it was on to ICAB (adoption board) for the official entrusting of her to us.  We were given her visa, passport, and other official papers as well as some gifts for her.  After some pictures we brought her home with us, and all conked out for a nap.  Now it is 7:00am Thursday morning, and she is still asleep which totally surprises us because she has been getting up between 4:30 and 5am at the home. 

She has totally taken to Scott.  She literally follows him from room to room and constantly wants to be held by him.  He thinks it very humorous that one of my big prayers and worries was that she might be afraid of him for awhile.  Even when she stirred during the night, she would settle pretty quickly when she reached out and felt his face close by.  We are thrilled with how she is starting to respond and interact with us, and realizing that some of the behaviors and mannerisms that really startled us at first are more "institutional" behaviors, we think.  In other words they are ways and habits that she has developed to soothe herself since there is often not enough loving grown up hands to do that for every child.  It's a wonderful children's home, please don't misunderstand.  The staff is wonderfully committed and loving.  However even they will tell you that each and everyone of those children needs his/her own loving family. 

I'm going to post this quickly and hope that we will have some internet access tonight or tomorrow to post some more.  If not, we love you all and will see many of you Saturday.  I will try to respond to emails as I can, but this was the fastest way to reassure everyone that your prayers are working.