Thursday, June 23, 2011

Here She Is!


At long last our Mia is in our arms!  She has been wonderful.  She cried a lot on the ride back to the hotel from the agency, but it appears to have been mostly a tired cry rather than an objection to mom and dad.  Her foster mother said nap times are about the only times she cries. (other than the times she just isn't getting what she wants)  Otherwise she has been a sweet happy playful baby.  She smiles a lot and babbles and chews on anyting she can get her hands on.

When we got back to the hotel she was overdue for a nap.  Her normal sleep schedule is 10pm-7am with 1.5-2 hour naps at 10am and 4pm.  Yes, she is already sleeping through the night.  We are hoping that holds true with our first night together.  She will sleep on the bed between Carrie and I.  She is used to sleeping on the floor with her foster mother.  To call her old bed a mattress is generous.  It was basically a wall to wall exercise mat with a bed spread on top.  Not sure how or when we will transition her to a crib but for now it can wait.

Our morning started with our usual breakfast at Starbucks - ham & egg sandwich and we split a cold drink.  Much more affordable and predictable than the local restaurants here in Seoul's business district of Yeoksam, Gangnam-gu.

We arrived at the agency in time to take a quick tour of the receiving home for new infants.  This is where both Tyson and Mia spent the first few months of their lives.  The receiving home cares for about 30 children at a time from 1 to 6 months or so until they can be placed into foster care.  Mia was 5 months old when she was placed into foster care.  Carrie thanked the caregivers, through a translator, for taking care of both our children.


After a short visit we returned to the agency (just two buildings down the steet) and found Mia and her foster mom again waiting for us!  Mia had one last medical checkup before our family union could be completed.  Her measurements are 27" long and a whopping 19 lbs 13 oz!  Most thankfully a clean bill of health, no colds or ear infections, just happy baby girl with a good appetite.

She likes yogurt and rice and fruit.  She gobbled up a bag of crunch potato sticks that her foster mom gave her for the flight.  Hopefully the second bag will last us the 14 hour flight?  Carrie said the dream is starting to sink in as move forward with lots of firsts:  First nap, first diaper change, first new outfit, first bath (in the kitchen sink).  She loved her bath, unlike her big brother who put up quite a fuss the first night!


She took two naps this afternoon, the first for 2.5 hours, the second for about 1 hour.  She is now down for the night we hope.  Carrie is resting on the bed beside her.  My two girls resting comfortably, thank you Lord!

Our cab picks us up at 7:30 for our 11am flight which arrives in New York just 1 hour later thanks to a 13 hour time zone change in our favor.  We are looking forward to getting home and seeing our son who we miss dearly.  Our journey is almost complete, just another 26.5 hours and we should be touching down in the good old USA.

Thanks for your continued prayers.  We see the hand of our Sovereign God answering them every day in many ways.  As always we remain dependent upon His care and direction.  Love you all. 

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!!

    Jonathan declared that Mia is "so cute!" Not that you needed to be told. ;)

    We are rejoicing in the answered prayer and will be praying for the return journey. Cannot wait to see the newly expanded Steele family! :)

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  2. So awesome, got choked up reading this because it's so amazing. Blessings to your family of FOUR!

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  3. She is so precious!!! We are praying for your safe return and your reunion as a family of 4!! We love you all. <3

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