What a day!
I gotta say, having gotcha day in the middle of the afternoon made for one long day. In fact, by the time it was time, Asher and I were beside ourselves with excitement. And pit sweat. And nausea. At least I was. That is one thing that doesn’t seem to change, no matter how many times I’ve come to China to meet and bring home our child… it’s outrageously exciting, fantastically wonderful and seriously butterflies-in-the-tummy inducing.
I’d rehash the details of the day before we left for Civil Affairs, but let’s be honest, no one cares about that at this point.
Am I right?
Yeah, I thought so.
We arrived at Civil Affairs before Vivienne. I think we only waited about 10 minutes, but it felt like an hour. It did give me time to get my camera settings adjusted and give Asher a quick lesson in manning the video camera.
The moment finally arrived. In she came in the arms of a caretaker from Guilin. She looked very frightened, but curious. Then she noticed the play area in the room and hightailed it over as fast as her sweet legs could carry her. She walks, which is wonderful news since based on her last update she was not walking yet. So, understandably, she toddles like a one year old.
I managed to get her attention with a lollipop, as she sat on the rocking horse. Then, she let me hold her. No tears. Barely a sideways glance. I gave the guide the paperwork and, after I’d had my questions answered, we left for the hotel.
Still no tears. Not even a whimper.
We did a bit of paperwork, then the guide left. We pulled out some stacking cups and played a bit. Those, as usual, are a huge hit.
Then the lip came out. She was so still and quiet, I thought she was being silly. But the tears began to silently roll. And I was very much relieved.
She cried a bit but allowed me to hold her and rub her back. We pulled out the bubbles to try and lighten the mood after a while, but she wasn’t having any of those wet, drippy things. So we decided to try the tub and see if she was interested in climbing in. Sure enough, armed with her stacking cups, she leaned over the edge of the bubbly tub and threw in her cups. Soon she was splashing and trying to transfer water from one cup to another, all the while trying to keep all 7 cups close by.
Once she was dry and dressed, we snuggled (or at least I snuggled her) while she watched a Baby Einstein DVD with a cup full of baby puffs (thanks, Holly!) She has wonderful use of her hands, but her thumbs seem relatively weak. She works very hard to do anything she sets her mind to, but I imagine she’ll have some limitations eventually. What she lacks in ability, she makes up for in smarts, though.
Then, when she was done with her puffs and two milk boxes, we pulled out the squeaky shoes I picked up for her at the grocery store. She tried to pretend like she wasn’t interested, but then put her foot out to try them on as soon as I showed her they squeaked. That’s my girl.
Right now she’s sitting on my lap, stacking her cups and trying not to smile too much when I knock them over. And occasionally making sweet baby words that I sadly have no ability to comprehend. But just the fact that she’s feeling comfortable enough to sit in my lap and babble to herself speaks volumes.
To everyone who has been praying for us, thank you so much. We feel covered in a very big way.
I love these photos of your beautiful girl. What a cutie!! And the mother/daughter picture is just perfect. Congratulations!!
OH MY….those cheeks, those eyes! Oh she is a beautiful little baby doll.
THANK YOU JESUS. BIG tears as I praise the Lord for another little one has her family…forever.
His fingerprints are all over your day!
We'll keep the prayers comin…..
What a day. She is so beautiful! Congratulations! I am so very happy for you all.
My oh my oh my!!!!!
She is beautiful!!!! I love her eyes!
I am so overjoyed for you. Your little girl is now safely in your arms!!! Forever!! What a blessing!
God is so good!!!!!
My goodness! What a beauty! I love those lips!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!Omword… what a great little update! Thank you Jesus!!!!She is finally in her mamas arms, right where God knew she would be at that exact moment in time. And the pic of you and sweet little Vivi, just Beautiful! thank you Jesus for forever families, and cereal puffs and stacking cups!
Love you Miss Vivi!
Love you Stef!
Happy Happy Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
Amie
Praise the Lord! And we will continue to pray!!!
So happy to see her sweet face and you finally holding her! What a beautiful day it must have been for you and Asher! Will continue to lift you up in prayer!
We leave in 2 weeks and 2 days to bring home our sweet Eli. Can hardly wait!!
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and soon to be home Eli
She is Beautiful!
Praise God! She is in your arms.
Congratulations, I hope the rest of your trip goes just as smoothly as Gotcha Day did!
Prayers are still with you.
I woke up this morning to check your blog…tears rolling down my face! God is Good all the time!!! She is beautiful in her mama's arms forever.
My Emily has no thumbs and she never got the memo that most people have them and need/use them. So Vivi will be fine if hers turn out to be week. You live near the best hand specialist in the country (in Boston).
I will continue to follow along and pray for you each step of the way. I pray that sleep comes sweetly for her and you tonight. That was when Emily grieved the most.
Blessings.
Christine
Praise God!!! 🙂 Vivi is beautiful, Stefanie. Thank God for her silent little tears and her smiles….a good sign!
We are in Boone, NC playing in the snow today and praising God for His goodness on this side of the world and on your side of the world tonight!
Can't wait to hear more about Vivi!
Hugs!
Sharon
What a beautiful girl! So happy that she is finally in your arms!
So how many people do you think are waking up and running to the computer this morning to check your blog? : ) Vivi is so beautiful! And she looks so much older! I am thankful she is doing as well as she is and will pray that she continues to adjust to her forever family. What a blessed day you've had. Congratulations!! Thanks for letting all of us follow along.
She's just gorgeous. Congratulations! What a wonderful day for all of you.
I couldn't wait to get up this morning and see Ms. Vivi! Late for work now, but that's just fine. Congratulations! She's just beautiful.
Many blessings to you and Asher and your hubby and kids back home.
YEAAAAAH!!! She is such a doll!!! I am so happy for you guys. What a great day! And so glad Asher is better;)
Love you!
Oh, Stef… She is so adorable!! What a blessing to know she is now safely with her Mama and big brother!!! The photo of you with her is beautiful!
I am so so happy for you!!!! Thank you for sharing your journey to Vivi with me!!!
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him." 1Samuel 1:27
Her silent tears are a blessing and so sad all at the same time. May God bless your time together and may her heart begin the process of healing at His hand.
Thank you Lord for the tears! For the cups & puffs & for hugs & baths & big brothers! And mommies!
Vivienne is perfect.
Oh, what a stunner! Congratulations to you all!
I could hardly wait until the last school bus rolled down the street so I could check your blog for pictures of you with Miss Vivi! I'll bet you can hardly wait for the real little personality behind those beautiful eyes to come out! Even though I know how heartbreaking it is, I'm so glad she cried. I'll be praying for u today.
OH MY I woke up at the weeeee hours of the morning to check from my palm and couldn't play the video..what a treat so glad she is letting you cuddle her and she is taking it all in…thanks for sharing this special moment…this journey to your daughter…how is Asher doing with all this…
PTL … God is sooooo GOOD. Vivi is beautiful.
What a sweet beautiful girl!!!! Congratulations!!!!!
Congratulations, you now have your beautiful daughter (and sister) with you. We wish you and your family lots of love and happiness!
Love, Kirsty
She is just beautiful!!! Soooo happy for you guys! 😉
Oh my goodness!!! Beautiful!!!! Precious!!!
Praying for you all!
Amy <><
OH my! Yippee Jesus!! Vivi is forever in her family! So very, very thrilled for all of you…she's gorgeous – absolutely gorgeous! Continued prayers! xo
It's SO good to see her in your arms!!!
Squeeeee!!!!
She is sooooo adorable. I have happy tears and a huge grin on my face reading this post. My hubby walked in the room, took one look at me and said – Stefanie must have posted pictures of Vivi – how well he knows me!
So incredibly excited for y'all. Praying for all of you!
Oh Stephanie…she is just precious! I'm so happy for you and I'm Praising God with you for a wonderful start to your new life together!!!! Can't wait to read more as the week goes on…
Thank you for letting us follow along. It was one year ago tomorrow that I held my little one for the first time in the Civil Affairs office in Guangzhou!
These pictures made my day. What a beautiful child Vivi is. =) It was just 3 years ago that we stood in that same room, facing that same decorated wall, waiting for our sweet Alena to be placed in our arms. Bless you all! I absolutely love following your blogs, your family and your photography. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy Vivi Day!
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you that things are going so well! Vivi is absolutely beautiful!
Kim
So happy to see Vivienne finally in your arms. She is beautiful! Congratulations!
I am so excited to see Vivi in your arms! What a doll baby. Congratulations on adding to your forever family!
Keri
Happy Happy Day.
I am glad to know she is walking! I loved the video!!!!
She is beautiful.
I was hoping that after my workout there would be another update!!!
Praise God!!!
Wow-wee!! What a little cupcake Vivi is! I'm so thankful to hear that she is doing so well.
Oh, Stefanie, she's adorable! And I'm so relieved to hear that she cried a bit. And that she's walking some now. We're still praying…
Huge congrats! She is completely adorable, of course, and I'm thrilled that you are all doing so well!
Stefanie,
She is absolutely beautiful.
Praise God you're together forever!
My first thought when seeing her picture was… that is Stef's daughter! She just has that look in her eyes that I see in all your children. A calm and knowing look that they have a family forever! Congratulations!
Wow – a year ago we reviewed her file and regrettably knew she was not our girl. So precious to see her with her Mama now! Best wishes on your journey.
Lynda
soon to be Mama to Ellie, our Heather at Starfish
She is indeed beautiful!! Congratulations! Praising Jesus that another baby has her forever family. It never, ever fails to bring tears to my eyes.
Praying that the transitions continue to go well.
Kim (another Guilin mom)
She's beautifully precious! Yay for gotcha day! Congrats Stef!
Aww she is lovely and it sounds like things are going very well. So happy for you all once again!
What a little beauty! Truly, she is precious. I am so grateful that she is now with her forever family. God is good!!
Blessings,
Sarah
oh Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!
She is absolutely stunning.
Lots of prayers still going up for ya'll.
What does she think of Asher?
Have they clicked?
HUGE hugs!
Oh my goodness…she is absolutely precious (and beautiful). So wonderful to see her in your arms.
Congratulations!
She is adorable.
Beautiful! She looks like she's always been in your arms. =)
Precious, precious, precious! Praise be to Jesus! God is so good!
Tears of joy here to finally see her in your arms! I think that God created stacking cups for all of the babies in China!!
Stefanie, Vivi is just adorable. So happy, so very happy for you and your family. What a joy to follow your story.
I showed my sweet China baby (who's almost 4) the precious pictures of Vivi and she just smiled.
Just know some folks from Nashville, TN are praying for you all.
Many blessings,
Suzanne Rowe
and Catherine Elizabeth
Born: March 1, 2006, Jiangxi, China
Home: April 2, 2007
Congratulations on your new little blessing. She is gorgeous!
What a precious baby! So glad to know that there were tears (a few years ago I wouldn't have known to count them as a blessing) but that she is letting you comfort her somewhat. Thank goodness for stacking cups!
Still praying for you guys as you begin to get to know one another!
Congratulations! Lucky you to have such a beautiful, sweet, smart daughter. I am so happy for you and your family.
She is beautiful!! Congratulations.
She is beautiful! Congratulations!
Vivi is a beautiful blessing, love the picture of her with you! Thanks for sharing your precious moments.
Praising Him for your forever girl and her forever family!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Ahhhhh!!! AT LAST!!!
BEAUTIFUL!!!! Those cheeks!! That face!! GORGEOUS!!!
Love these photos!! Especially of Vivi and her Momma! 😉 I am soooooo THRILLED for you!!!
Still praying here!!
XOXO
Patricia
What a sweet, beautiful day!
Donna
Our blog: Double Happiness!
Congratulations! She is a sweetie.
i can't stand it, i simply can't stand it. glad my make up isn't on for the day yet. otherwise i'd have to go start all over. i'll keep praying!
Stefanie,
She is sooooo pretty!! She's your girl for sure. Bless her heart as she is trying to understand it all. I'm so happy for your family…and for Vivi. Precious. Praying for her..for you.
Congratulations on your new beautiful daughter. So happy for you 🙂
Oh Stephanie the tears are flowing as I'm reading your post and marvel at this little beauty. She's gorgeous, praise God she is with her forever family, thank you Jesus!! So thrilled for you.
Blessings 🙂
Oh Stefanie!!! I am so happy for you!!!! Vivi is just beautiful!
It is so wonderful to see her in your arms!!! She's beautiful, and blessed to be part of your family! Congratulations!!!
What a dolly! So glad you got off to a good start; praying it continues!
What a blessing to read that you were on your way/in China when I returned to the blog world! And to see you holding VIvi … oh the sweetness! It is so hard to hear of her silent tears that eventually came, but to know that those will soon be replaced by happiness is incredible to wait for! Blessings to you and we hope that the rest of your trip goes SO well.
I've watched all of your forever days since your first with Isabell- that's what inspired us to adopt our own heart baby. I never fail to get shivers when I read your first post after welcoming a little one into your home. Thanks so much for sharing. Congrats on your newest, she is beautiful.
She's beautiful! Congratulations!!
"Met" you on Sara/Mya's blog.. Congratulations on this happy, happy day for your family!!
Congratulations! She's beautiful, and I'm thankful the transition has been good so far.
Vivi is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations! Sounds like it was a great gotcha day & very special to have big brother there. I know he is a huge help.
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND PRECIOUS AND AMAZING AND A BUNDLE OF LOVE!!!
I am so THRILLED FOR YOU!!!!!
I know your heart is FULL TO OVERFLOWING. So what does her Daddy think? And her other siblings?
I am assuming you're skyping and I'm assuming they are just smitten with her, even through the screen!!!
HUGS and CONGRATS!!! Becoming a Mama never gets old!!!
I'll be stalking for more photos and I am so jealous of your photo-taking abilities. I can't figure out the manual settings. OK, sorry but I just love the natural look of all your photos!!!! Of course, you have some beautiful subjects. Hope it continues to progress well for you and Miss Vivi!
Seriously! Could she be any more adorable? Absolutely sweet! My heart is just bursting for you!
She is beautiful! Congratulations! 🙂
SOOO happy for you!!! She is absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad things are going well!!
Congratulations! Such a lovely little girl – so happy for you all. And I love it – you are already talking about how smart she is – just like every parent does!
Blessings,
Shirley
So happy for you. she is lovely!
Trish
praising the Father for another orphan home and adopted! So happy your first day is going well
praying for a wonderful time together
oh my goodness….I rolling down some happy tears my friend!!! She is gorgeous…but the the most beautiful picture of all is sweet Vivi in her Ma Ma's forever arms….Thank you Sweet Jesus thank you!!!!
I will continue to keep you in my prayers {{{{hug}}}}
SIGH….she is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your journey.
So sooooo excited for you! I know, you don't know me–but I read your blog and usually never comment! I'm a WACAP family too though and I think you *may* be meeting up with our friend in Guangzhou–the dad is in Henan getting two older boys who are friends of our daughter who is 14 and came home over the summer. Anyway–big congrats, and it just occured to me when you said "Guilin" that your daughter may have been in the Grace and Hope foster program—please check with them and you can get all the reports,photos etc…of her up until now! Check their site for the coordinator of her particular SWI or email me pattysmith@grace-hope.org and I can find out for you. Blessings!!
She's simply beautiful. How couldn't she be with a name like Vivi? 😉
Congratulations!
What a beautiful blessing!
How exciting!
I was where you are two months ago and when I read your post it brought back a flood of memories. Our little one has been home for 2 months and is a completely different child.
Adoption has got to be one of the most amazing things that I have ever been a part of. Enjoy your time in China!
What a beautiful little girl!! Praise God that Vivi is on her journey home. I think she looks a bit like Jude. Congratulations!!!
She is GEORGEOUS! Sooo happy to see her finally with her new Mama. Don't know what it is about those stacking cups, but they always seem to help break the ice. I'm so happy to hear that she's walking, too. Thanks for sharing your special day with us.
Gin =)
She is so beautiful!!!! Congrats Mommy!
Congratulations! She is beautiful!
Krista D
Oh My Word. Every where I look I see that last pic of the two of you. And I can't stop crying. I'm so happy for you – for her – for us that we get to be party to it all. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you Jesus for placing Vivi in a family. Thank you Lord for your loving care of them all as they bond and attach. What a wonderful journey!!!!!!
Finally it's Vivi day! She's amazing,
oh! she is even more beautiful than the last photos you posted! how wonderful to have her in your arms! praise GOd for His goodness…cannot wait to read more!!!
Congratulations Stefanie!!!!
Love the picture of Vivi with her Momma!!!!!
Hope Asher is feeling better!
Karrie in IN
huge congrats from the M-n-M team over here!! she is so precious Stef, and I just am flabbergasted that you are FINALLY with her. i look back on all the years we've known each other and sit in amazement of how we've grown into families we may never have been able to imagine on our own.
congratulations from my heart.
xoxo
What a treat to see sweet Vivi in her mommas arms. Stacking cups were my girls favorite toy in China.
God is so GOOD!!!
Amy
Oh Praise the Lord that things are going so well! It's divine comfort and grace, I'm sure. Praying we have that same divine appointment when we meet Khloe. I am SOOOOOO very, very happy for you. The video just made me choke up…especially after reading this post and then watching it. She is just GORGEOUS, Stefanie! So very beautiful! We will continue to pray, as we know her heart is still confused and will be grieving, but she clearly is trusting you already, which is nothing short of amazing! God is GOOD! You can see His fingerprints all over this special and amazing day!! <><
Happy Gotcha Day! :0)
Blessings and Hugs,
~ Tanya
She is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your happy day – it sounds like everything is going very well.
hugs 🙂
Hi! I'm new to your blog- is there a post you could recommend so I could be up-to-speed?
Happy Vivi Day!
Blessings!!! What an absolute cutie! Congratulations!
Ashley
Stephanie – wow – you know all the things to look for – you knwo all the things that could have happened – and you know that at some point it will feel like the wheels have fallen off – but if I could pick and outcome for a gotcha day for everyone concerned – but in particular for the child – I'd pick this!
Words just can's explain how happy we are for you guys – another prayer answered – hoping for the same luck in two weeks!
hugs – great joy – prayers –
aus and co.
What a beautiful girl. What a beautiful family! God bless you! Katrina
Congrats! What a wonderful day! She is beautiful!
Congratulations!! Vivi is just beautiful! Nanning holds a special place in our hearts. It will be three years on 1-22 that we finally had our daughter in our arms forever!
Enjoy getting to know each other!
Adorable!! YOu are going to win the most adorable family award for certain!!!!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!!! We were in Xi'an this time last year, in fact today marks the 1 year anniversary since getting our youngest daughter!!
Oh Stefanie – I am just catching up after being off-line for over a week (I was super sick) but one of the first stops I made was to your blog. Since I knew you were leaving for China sometime last week, I just couldn't wait to check in on one of my favorit gals & see all that has been going on. And might I say, WOW what an experience it has been…from your son being sick to Vivi FINALLY in your arms! Words can not express how happy we are fo you & your family! Seeing how we are probably going to be on the same time line as you were from referral to travel (we received our referral for our sweet Benjamin in May of 09 and it is looking like we won't travel unitl May/June…and if I dare to say July…you & your story to Vivi has been an inspritation to me {with all the many "bumps" that we too have experienced along the way}. OK since this is getting way too long and I am sure you are not really wanting to read all of this (you much rather be with that adorable little girl of yours), let me finish this up by saying CONGRATS ~ We are over-the-moon with happines for you all! Can't wait to follow along in the rest of journey through China & home…
Take care & please know our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family….
So cute! I love her rosy cheeks. Congratulations!
Congratulations!! How precious!! so happy for all of you, and hope Asher is feeling well now. 🙂
You are both just beautiful!!!
Perfect match!!
I wish I could have seen Vivi hightailing it to the play area!
Oh, and she looks JUST LIKE a "Vivi"!!
I bet she will be spoiled rotton by her handsome big brother….have fun, Asher!!!
This is really good stuff…..can't wait to read more.
What an angel!!! Praise God for another blessing on your family.
Not just cute, not just pretty, but truly gorgeous! I am so very happy for Vivi, for you, for your entire family! I am so thrilled that you are finally there and that she is finally going to be home with her big, wonderful family very soon.
Lots of prayers and hugs to you all! Thanks so much for sharing your journey.
All the best,
Nicole A. in OH
Stef…
Vivi is so beautiful! Congratulations! I am completely overjoyed for you all.
P.S. Asher did a GREAT job with the camera. LOVE the photo of the two of you AND my heart breaks for him getting sick.
Congrats! I am so happy for you & your entire family. Much joy to you all.
Congrats what a wonderful day for all of you. Vivi looks like a wide eyed little girl ready to start her wonderful new life.
God is sooooo good
Awwwww! Wonderful to see and hear, just wonderful. Huge hugs to you guys, and to the family at home.
She's absolutely gorgeous – I bet you can't stop admiring her…
Glad to hear things have been going pretty well so far.
Congratulations and all the best for the rest of your lives together!
What an awesome mother/parents you are!!!
Thank you so much for the blog Stephanie! We are enjoying looking at the pictures and hearing about your adventures. What a fantastic connection to our unit on immigration!
All the best,
Dalton's class
She is so beautiful!!Sounds like she is doing well. I love the picture of you and her-priceless! Thank you Jesus for a smooth transition and I pray that you will continue to bond Stefanie and Vivi's hearts together as they spend time getting to know and fall in love with eachother! I pray a hedge of protection around all three of the Leist's while they are in China. You are an awesome God! Amen.
Love you girl-Congratulations!
Chenoa
Congratulations Stefanie! Vivi is absolutely beautiful and so glad she is finally in your arms forever!
Hugs,
Jonni
I cannot even begin to express how overjoyed I am to see Vivienne in your arms, Stef…….and to know that your sweet little Asher is by your sides.
I am out of words and I can only say…my heart is full and my congratulations are so true!
xoxoxo
Dita Darling
There is nothing better than Gotcha Day! And you have got to love a girl that can't resist a new pair of shoes. 🙂
She is beautiful, truly beautiful!
Congratulations!