Brianna told me that I need to update everyone on "Gotcha Day" in words this time instead of just pictures. Of course, some cute pictures will follow!
We arrived at the Atlanta airport about 2 hours before Caleb's flight was scheduled to arrive. We wanted to ask for a gate pass so we could be there the minute the second he got off the airplane. Gary went and asked if that would be possible and they told him we could only get 1 gate pass. He pleaded asked nicely if they would at least let both parents be at the gate. Believe or not, they actually said yes! Our Georgia family had met us at the airport so they went and fed the gang while Gary and I headed to the gate. We got to his gate about 1:30. The flight was expected to arrive at 2:18. At about 1:50, I asked Gary to go take a picture of the arrival screen that had his flight on it. Soon after he left, they came and opened the gate like they do when a plane is getting ready to arrive. Gary hurried back and said the screen said the plane had arrived! What?? I can't begin to explain the thoughts and feelings that start running through your head when you know you are going to meet your child for the first time. Anyway back to the story, we got up and moved so we could have a good view of the people exiting the plane. We didn't have to wait long! Caleb and his escort were about the 3rd people off of the plane. Oh boy, here come the tears! The escort just about walked right by us as we are trying to tell her that she had our son! She wasn't expecting to see us at the gate so we caught her off guard. She kept walking so we jumped in next to her trying to take in everything we could about our son. He looked very tired, like he had just woken up. She carried him to the baggage claim area talking to us the whole way there. You know it took all the restraint we had not to just scoop him up right out of her arms! Gary called the rest of the family and let them know where we were. Moments later they all came running with signs, hugs and tears! We still hadn't gotten our hands on him yet! The escort needed help finding some checked luggage from the night before so Gary headed off with her to work on that. Before she left she put Caleb down and talked to him gently and pointed out his brothers and his sisters. She then wisely left and let us have our moment. Caleb started crying and I couldn't take it any longer so I bent down and swooped him up into my arms. He settled down quickly and soon all of the siblings wanted to hold him. It didn't take long for him to start playing with the kids. My sister-in-law, Teresa, brought some small cars for him so we gave them to him to play with. They were a big hit as they rolled them across the floor and chased after them. By the time, the escort came back Caleb was happily playing with his siblings. She told us that it made her so happy to see him doing so well. Since Daddy had spent so much time helping the escort he hadn't had any time to hold Caleb. As you can see by the photo below that the meeting went very well! We spent about 2 hours just getting to know each other right by the baggage claim area. It wasn't at all how I imagined the day would go but really it couldn't have been more perfect. Even met a nice lady who watched our sweet meeting of our boy and she cried tears of joy right along with us!
Now for those who want to know how Caleb is doing. He didn't sleep very well last night, very restless and irritable. We had some sweet snuggle time but Mommy didn't get much sleep. I have the rest of my life to sleep so I don't mind middle of the night snuggling! He is sleeping right now in Brianna's arms. He slept for about 2 hours in his bed and then woke up. We may try his bed again here in a little bit. He hardly eats anything! We have been keeping a bowl of cheerios out for him to eat whenever he wants. He likes watermelon, cantelope, drinkable yogurt, dried seaweed, and chicken. He just doesn't eat much! He is tiny. Most of the clothes we have gotten are too big. We had gotten 2T and 3T but I think he is more in 12-18 months sizes. He is 2 1/2 but looks more like a 1 1/2 year old! The foster family was still giving him a bottle. We have decreased the amount that he gets by bottle but we don't think now is the time to take it away. His world has been rocked now isn't the time to take away the bottle too. He loves, loves, loves the boys! He follows them around the house all day! They of course, love it! He has the cutest, softest little voice. He likes to repeat some of the things he hears us saying. Last night, we were SKYPEing with Grandpa and he said Grandpa! I will close now with some more sweet pictures
Daddy and Caleb...
Playing at Chick-Fil-A on the way home from the airport!
Checking out his new room!
Future drummer??
His jammies say "Bananas over Mommy!"
Snuggling with Brianna...
He loves to pinch Hunter's cheeks!
Playing outside..he loved the bubbles!
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