Monday, June 16, 2008

Gotcha Day!
















Before I start, please know we cannot, for whatever reason, actually see your comments from the last day or so. We know you are responding, which is great, and we just want you to know we are not ignoring any of you--we just cannot figure out how to view our site or your comments--it just stopped working yesterday.

Well, this has been a great day. We were all awake pretty early just in anticipation of greeting Luke. After a quick breakfast, we went downstairs for a few “before” pictures to parallel some “after” pictures we planned to take at the end of the day. We met our agency rep at 8:30a.m., along with a registry official from the local government. We then drove about 20 minutes or so to get to the offices where we would meet Luke and complete paperwork. Once inside, things started moving pretty quickly. I could see Luke in another room, but had my head down signing a few papers when he was first brought into the room. He was in Melissa’s arms when I finally looked up and saw him. She was crying and he was very quiet but very attentive. I kept signing papers while Melissa visited with Luke and introduced him to all of the family members. Basically, we were to visit with him for about an hour so as to decide if we really intended to make him part of our family. Of course, that decision was made long ago. We were of course very excited to meet Luke. From my perspective, he was pretty neutral to our presence. He was not visibly upset but was instead very observant. Sometimes he would make eye contact and sometimes he would look away. Probably about what you would expect given the moment we were all sharing. As I write this, we are at the end of our day and the atmosphere is completely different. He has just had a light bath and he is playing behind me with all three kids--laughing and “talking” and very happy—it is like he has been with us forever. I am sure the transition and bonding process is not totally complete but it was what we and you all have prayed for.

I will just give you a few more guy-type facts and then will let Melissa share her thoughts. Luke had returned to the orphanage on Friday, so his time there was short, and probably helpful in his overall transition to us. We did get to meet the two nannies from his orphanage that cared for him—one of whom visited him at his foster home each week. He does take a nap each day, still enjoys two bottles per day, is a “smart baby” per the nannies, and warms slowly to people. He has been living about 1.5 hours from the orphanage with a family that had two children of their own (a 5 year old and a 3 year old, one a girl, the other a boy), as well as two (maybe 3) other foster children. So, he was in a great environment. I think it is typical, but they gave us a copy of the ad that was placed in the local paper as part of the process for declaring him abandoned. We also have a better understanding of his name in that the family name Yi was part of the county name where he was found and Duan Lu is a reference to the road where he was abandoned. The ad also includes his infant picture. For those who were betting, he is about 22.5 lbs (heavier than I expected) and has not been circumcised (that will be a rude welcome to America).

Melissa can now give you some girl-type feelings. I share all the same feelings as Dave and honestly he just puts them into words better. I was sooo nervous on the way to the registrars office, really almost sick to my stomach, but with anticipation. I was excited to see him. They cut his hair and he looked older, but it was easy to identify him. There were two other baby boys in the other room being adopted by two families from New Zealand but I could totally tell who he was. He was very cautious of us, you can tell from the pictures. But, as the day has progressed we have seen a huge improvement to the point that he is laughing!!! I’m so grateful he ate a banana and jar of carrot baby food for supper, plus some cookie for dessert. I can’t imagine doing this without Cole, Shelby and Piper they are playing and enjoying him so much. I hope the night goes well, thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.

P.S. His little fingers and toes are darling!!!!! Everything looks great. Love you all.
Missy

23 comments:

Trisha said...

praise GOD from Whom ALL blessings flow...!!!!! we love the nicholson 6! (7 if you count gingy pinge!!!)

Anonymous said...

What a joy! We love you guys and praise God for His amazing faithfulness. Praying continually!

Susan (for all)

joyphotography said...

I could hardly read through the thick "allergies"....God is so amazing!!! Luke is soooo precious. Such a gift! You look good with 4 kids!!!!

Unknown said...

This is an emotional time, even for us Southern Nicholson's! Luke is coming into a special family with lots of love.
We love you guys!
The Forest City Nicholson's

Anonymous said...

Luke is just beautiful! God is so GOOD! Love, Auntie Em

Anonymous said...

How awesome and glorious is our God!! Thanking Him today for such a wonderful meeting time. Your family will be such a blessing to Luke's life as he will be to your lives. Continue to thank and give Him praise for He is so so good!! Enjoy the last few days in China and for goodness sake have a better return flight!! ;)

--Marla--

Anonymous said...

So thankful that everything went well! He is just perfect! We specifically have been praying for your first encounter with him! Could not have been a better one! Thankyou Cole for sending the other pics to us! We love you all, Hatfam

Anonymous said...

O my gosh I got a new cousin! He is adorable. Looking forward to more pics! Have fun on the rest of your trip with Luke. Write back when you can. Lib

Anonymous said...

Congrats! He is adorable! Cant wait to meet him!

- The Awtry's

Jason, Kate and Tait Miller said...

I am crying my eyes out right now! You all look so joyful and he already looks like he has been with you forever! What a gorgeous boy! PLEASE PLEASE pass on many hugs and kisses from J and I and a big "i can't wait to play with you" from Tait! What fun they will have! Love you all and know that you are being bathed in prayer for the remainder of your trip!

Jason, Kate and Tait Miller said...

ohhh i forgot... Happy Father's Day, Dave! What a great day for you all!

Anonymous said...

O my he is PRECIOUS! i cant believe he is yours! have fun and tell him how GREAT i am! teehee love ya all!!

Trisha said...

the last anonymous comment was from Haleigh!!!! even tho you can't read it anyway, someday maybe you will!!!!

Trisha said...

hey!! i cant beleive that u have a new litle brother!! he is the cutest baby i think i have ever seen!! i love him sooo much and love u guys 2!!!! cant wait 2 c him!!! love you soooooooooooooooo much!!!!! love, emmy shouse!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness guys! He is beyond precious! I just love his hair! I'm so excited for you all and will continue to pray for a great bonding time for everyone!! Can't wait to meet him!!!! Happy father's day Dave!!!
Love, The Collins

Anonymous said...

Dave, Missy and ALL

The best we can come up with is...
WOW - W0W - WOW
He is adorable!!!!
Love, Jim and Nancy H.

The Luces said...

Oh my word, I am also crying my eyes out. He is so precious, so adorable, and I love his expressions in the pictures. You are so blessed, Nicholsons, and so is Luke. Continued prayers for bonding, safety, and Luke coming to know the Lord as his own savior and friend.

<3 Dani

Anonymous said...

Luke looks adorable and what a loving family you are. I am enjoying your journey so much and can only imagine the depth of your joy. May God bless you. Mona (Bill's cousin)

Anonymous said...

He is simply adorable! He totally fits in with the fam. The pics are priceless. Praise the Lord that all is going sooo well so far. Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

We love the updates and the details! we are of course so happy for you all and you are in our prayers! He is adorable!

love you guys!
april and nathan

Anonymous said...

Would you ever have believed the intense love that you already feel for Luke? God orchastrated this family to be together....it is just awesome to see. Our family is overwhelmed with joy for you. Enjoy the journey.
The Helliges

Neil and Kathy said...

Awesome! (I think that even Pastor Doug would approve of the use of that word in this instance.) My first impression was that he would pass for one of your children and that he reminded me of Orlando. He definately will fit in with all the family's 2 year olds!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Uncle Neil

Shawgo's said...

Tami and I have been looking at these pictures over and over again. His chubby cheeks remind us of a boy we were blessed with twelve years ago tomorrow. Dave you truly have a knack in writing exactly what we want to know. Why weren't the board minutes ever this interesting? Oops that's right - you never wrote them. Sorry Salzer. We rejoice in seeing all of you beaming with pride and joy. God bless you all.

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