5.04.2011

First meeting

We met him! Our first meeting was yesterday and it was wonderful!

It started off a little scary. We got into Seoul on Thursday night and were completely exhausted. Our meeting was the next AM so we had found out from our concierge that the agency was about 5 minutes away by taxi. We gave it much more time than that, but on the morning of our meeting, a different concierge told us we didn't need a cab and told us to walk here. He actually walked there with us, about a 10 minute walk, and pointed to the building. Very kind of him!

But it was the wrong office. We started to panic a bit, when we realized we were at an insurance agency. But another wonderful and kind gentleman took pity on us. He didn't speak English, but called the agency number and found out where we needed to go, walked us out of the building, hailed us a cab, told the cabbie where to take us. He was seriously a walking angel. And after about a 3 minute cab ride, we got to the agency. Only 15 minutes late. More than a little frazzled.

After that it was smooth sailing. With our social worker, we went about 40 minutes outside of Seoul to the foster mother's home.

There really wasn't much time to get nervous. We had done most of that the night before (I only slept 3 hours). When we got there, it all happened so fast. We went to the door. The doorbell rang, and she opened the door with Little Man in her arms! It was a surreal moment. He was even wearing the clothes that we sent in our care package!

It was his nap time but he never cried once during our visit. We all sat on the floor and he looked a bit shy at first and crawled into his foster mother's lap. But a few minutes later he was in The Man's lap and playing with him. And smiling! The first smiles we had seen since he wasn't smiling in any of his referral photos. After that, we were friends, and we played together, marveled at his tricks (he likes to stand on his head with his butt in the air) and fed him some food.

He's very busy! He crawls so fast and is into everything. He's curious and interested in new things. He likes cars and electronics. And loves to have his photo taken. A kid after my own heart!

We stayed about an hour and I asked some questions, but mostly just tried to enjoy that wonderful moment, of seeing him move and smile and play for the first time.

Our family day is Monday! Until then, off to see some sights.

16 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! You met him! I'm so excited to read this. Thinking of you a lot this week...

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  2. I love this, so exciting! Glad to hear the first visit went well!

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  3. Yay! Congratulations! That's so amazing isn't it? The first moment you see them is so magical! Enjoy Seoul!

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  4. whohoooooo!!!! SO excited for you!!! so glad everything worked out and that your first meeting went well!

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  5. Eeeeeeek! SO excited to see this post! Cannot wait to see photos of the three of you together. :)
    Enjoy Seoul - it's an amazing city.

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  6. I've been thinking of you guys - glad to see the update! Enjoy Seoul!

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  7. Eeeeeeek is right! Wow! You met him. Love it. and how sweet that he was wearing the outfit you sent him! And first smiles! I'm glad you just enjoyed. Can't wait for photos...but in the meantime, soak up Seoul. You met your son!! So happy for you all.

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  8. Oh my goodness. I totally missed your travel call. Congratulations!!! Have a wonderful, safe time in Seoul!

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  9. Sooo happy for you! I get chills reading this and thinking about our first meeting. There's literally nothing like it. It is a moment you will never forget. Savor every moment and enjoy your son's homeland. Sending you good thoughts. :)

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  10. I love it! Isn't it a great thing! I still love seeing pictures of the day we met our daughter! Nothing like it!

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  11. YOU'RE THERE! YOU'RE THERE! YOU MET HIM! What an exciting day! Enjoy your next few days of enjoying and drinking in all of Seoul. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your adventures in Seoul.

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  12. I'm so happy for you! He's sounds like a perfect fit in your family, a real photographers kid! Glad you took time to truly enjoy your first moments with him.

    It's amazing how easy it is to find someone kind and helpful in Seoul isn't it? It really makes you appreciate Korean culture.

    Enjoy sightseeing! Monday is you're mommy, funny that it will coincide with it still being Sunday at home and Sunday is Mothers day! (he met you on S.Korea's Children's day).

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  13. So happy to hear this update! How amazing!!!

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  14. You met him!!! YOU MET HIM!!!

    I laughed out loud when I read the part about him liking to get his picture taken. As you probably have figured out... Spencer is a real ham as well and the first thing every. single. person. in my family said was "Perfect child for Christine!" ha.

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  15. Yay! Another little one coming home!

    My husband and I along with a board of directors just launched a nonprofit last month (The Sparrow Fund - www.sparrow-fund.org) to give grants to adoptive families. We are trying to get adoptive families who blog to post about it to spread the word. If you have any interest, can you email me once you are home? We'd love to have you!
    Kelly

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  16. Congrats! I can't imagine the excitement and nerves!

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