Three years ago today we gathered with 12 other families in a conference room at the Harbour Plaza Hotel in Chongqing, China eagerly awaiting the moment that would change our lives forever. We checked, double checked and triple checked cameras, extra batteries, blankets, doll, camera cards to make sure they were ready and made small talk with the other families while we nervously waited for word that the babies had arrived on the train from Xiushan, a very small mining town in southeast Sichuan Province, China.
We waited for what seemed like hours, but was really only a half an hour or so, then we heard our guide excitedly exclaim, "the babies have arrived, they are cleaning them up and they will come in". I can only imagine the frantic cleaning, changing, wiping of noses, and combing of hair for 17 babies in those moments. In about 10 minutes a group of about 7 adults came walking in with the babies and I searched every face, knowing I'd recognized the face from the picture I had spent countless hours studying since we first received it about 2 months earlier. I spotted her right away when she was carried in and I saw her dark, curious and studied gaze...after nearly three years of waiting we met our precious daughter Hua Yan Xiu for the very first time. It was more than love at first sight.
The guides and nannys all sat down with the babies in chairs facing the anxious parents in the room. After a few moments of settling supplies (formula and bottles) the guides began calling off babies names to be introduced to their parents. When Hua Yan was announced we didn't understand the pronunciation (Whaa-yan) so we sat until we heard our guide say, "Daniel, Karen Herman". We were told not to be overly emotional and to avoid crying if at all possible so the children were not upset. This moment was filled with such wonder I actually didn't even think to cry. Gazing into such beautiful and alert eyes for the first time and to see those eyes lock in on mine was breathtaking. Hua soaked in everything, she looked around at the other babies, many who were screaming by then and then looked as if she couldn't decide if she should start screaming too. She decided against it and just grabbed her daddy's thumb and gently stroked it with her finger as she considered her surroundings. After all the babies were introduced to their families, and the pictures taken we brought Danika up to our hotel room for the first time.
It's so hard to believe that 3 years have passed since that eventful day, and every day we love our beautiful, spirited, intelligent, kind, stubborn, lovely, strong willed, senstive, gentle girl more and more. In our 3 years together Danika has really "come into her own" and we never cease to be amazed at her remarkable personality and just all the little "things" that make her so very special and unique.
Danika is very much looking forward to turning four in October, or as she likes to say, "Pretty soon I'll be 14 mom"...my heart stops every time she says that because I know it's true.
Here's a glimpse of how we celebrated our day (breakfast of Danika's choice, church, Como Town and Como Zoo, Superman Ice Cream and Nachos and Tacos dinner out)...and an excerpt from our bedtime prayer tonight....
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| Just waking up and excited to see her balloon...holding piggy she got on Forever Family day one year ago! |
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| Couldn't be more perfect for our special girl |
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| In case you were wondering - yes she still does scrunch face |
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| At church |
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| Riding the tea cups with Mama |
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| Sad little sister being turned away because she's too short to ride the swings |
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| And happy big sister! |
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| Let's go Daddy! |
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| The first of many unhealthy snacks of the day |
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| Corn Dog!!!!! |
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| Who needs a milk mustache? |
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| Little sister holds her own in the snack department |
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| Doing her best seal impression |
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| Danika didn't take the news of "no cotton candy" very well |
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| Sharing a special moment after reminiscing about 3 years ago |
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| Daddy and daughter bond...very strong! |
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| Sienna snapping for the seals to come over |
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| Sparky the Seal and Danika |
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| Looking at the penguins |
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| Polar bear exhibit |
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| A little snack to sustain her |
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| Ready for the water park! |
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| Taking sister to the water park |
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| Cute or what??? |
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| Sienna decides she'd rather snack than swim |
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| Danika enjoying the water fountains |
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| One of her favorite toys - trucks! |
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| Warming up before moving on |
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| Roar like a lion |
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| Enjoying the playground |
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| One down |
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| Snuggling her new stuffed penguin |
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| How could we resist?? |
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| Firefighter |
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| Enjoying the train |
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| Worn out! |
"Dear Jesus, thank you for allowing us to be the parents of this precious and amazing girl and for loaning her to us, we ask that we get to keep for for a very long time! I'm honored that this precious girl calls me Mama Thank you for touching our lives and allowing us to know the precious joy of Danika Joy Herman"
