Unbelievable.
In a good way.
An amazing way, actually.
I had tried to prepare my sweet Dalton – and myself – for just about every possibility on this day.
If one can truly be prepared.
I told him she might shut down.
Or scream non-stop.
Or both.
And I explained how any of these reactions would be totally understandable, and completely appropriate, considering the circumstances.
But neither of us were prepared for what happened.
She was tentative at first…
and wasn’t too keen this red-headed stranger being anywhere near her.
But the nanny brought out the pictures we had sent.
The album was well worn.
And she showed her the pictures of me and of Dalton.
And explained to her who these two people were.
Mama.
Gege.
Clearly her foster mom had lovingly prepared her for his day.
Because shortly after that the smiles came.
And then the belly laughs.
Before we left she was running, laughing, jumping on the tables and eating every treat in sight.
Of course, there is no telling what tonight, tomorrow or the next day will be like.
But for now, Dalton and I are soaking up every blessed minute.
Yeah! Congratulations. So glad that the initial transition is going well. Praying for you.
She is beautiful and so ready for all the love of her forever, and ever family to fill her!!! What an adventure and certainly “beauty does rise from ashes” and so much more. Our thoughts and prayers for your family as you travel through this part of your journey!!! Enjoy every thing that comes and try to get some sleep!!
Wow! She is just beautiful. I cannot wait to see her with the rest of your family! What a wonderful blessing! Congratulations!
Congratulations!! So happy for y’all!!
She’s an absolute doll, Stefanie! Congratulations!
She is beautiful! Congratulations!
Awesome! She is precious.
Dalton, photography is your thing!
Great pictures.
Blessings,
Jennifer
HOORAH!!
Can you say “prayers answered”?
May the rest of your transition go as smoothly!!!
And D-man – you’ve been paying attention to your mom – great camera work!
hugs – aus and co.
I couldn’t wait to get out of bed this morning! What a doll! We will continue to lift up prayers to the throne on your behalf! Congratulations! I agree…fantastic pictures Dalton! You have your Mama’s eye!
She was my first thought this morning! Had to come up after praying and see her beautiful face. Praising the Lord with you and trusting that she will continue to settle into you both. Dalton rocked that camera btw!!!
Much love~
Kam
I’m so happy to read this post!!! She is so cute. I think you and your family is amazing. <3
I have to link this Finnish heavy ballad to you – it is so beautiful, it's called "Tallulah"
She is adorable!! What a wonderful meeting!! I’m so happy for you & I can’t wait to continue following your journey!!
Congratulations!!!
sooo precious!!!!! Love to see y’all together! And I agree, Dalton – great photos! Way to go man! Continued prayers for y’all!
Hello, Steph, wow she is beautiful!!So happy she is doing so well.Hopefully she will be continue to be content and know what a loved little girl she is! Wow God is good!!! I can’t wait to go back!Such a blessing!!
Happy Tallula Day!!! She’s so beautiful and those smiles……oh so sweet!!! The close up shot of you two melted my heart! So happy for you Stef…… Congratulations!
Hope the rest of the day went well and that you all sleep well tonight.
Loved the sightseeing photos you posted yesterday!!!
Be safe my friend.
Xoxo,
Lisa
Can’t stop the tears. Beautiful! A picture of the coming kingdom! Maybe tomorrow be more blessed than today!
Oh my, she is STUNNING just like her sisters and her mama! Dalton, great job with the pictures! Hope all continues to go well! Continued prayers for you all!
What a BEAUTIFUL little girl!!!!!!!! Praising God, with you, on a sweet, sweet Metcha Day!!!
(now off to re-do my makeup from the tears streaming before taking the girls to school)
How wonderful! She is beautiful and oh, so sweet!!!
So happy for all of you!!! 🙂
Aww! Such a Sweet Day! I am praying for continued Super natural Bonding. Can’t wait to see the next installment of Tallula.
What a sweet little face she has! I hope she continues to transition well. Many blessings for your first night together.
(happy tears) Praise God!!!!
Wow! She is SO adorable. Her name seems to fit her perfect. Congrats!
Foster parents do SO much to help the transition. I love that her album was well-worn. I love helping the little ones here wear out their albums. Hoping that the next days go fabulously as well!
Hannah
Congrats! Tallula is beautiful!
Congratulations Stef, Tullula is soooooooo precious:) What an amazing “Tullula Day”! Can’t wait to see more pic’s!
God Bless,
Diane
AWESOME!!! Thanks so much for sharing these private moments – your life and your family. Blessings for your stay and your traveling home. Geniene
Congratulations!!! She is just precious!!!!
So glad it going well so far! She looks so much older than the pictures you had. Aren’t foster moms wonderful!
Hooray for Tallula Day! She is just darling.
Following along from the edge of my seat. That room is near and dear to us.
Congratulations!!! What a cutie!!!!
Oh Stef…she is so cute!!! I love her little button nose and those soulful eyes. I am so glad that she is opening her heart to you so far. You know better than anyone every child reacts to this transition differently. I pray that this goes well for all of you. And if it does not. remember that through that pain, they grow to love and trust their new family. It is all good.
Happy happy joyful day.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice!!!!!!
Love,
Kim
P.S. That photo of just your face and Tallula’s is stunning. You are both so beautiful!!!!! You will always treasure that one.
Big heart sings for y’all! She is completely lovely. xoxo
She is absolutely beautiful! I bet those belly laughs were music to your ears! Congrats and enjoy your time together in China!
She’s beautiful and looks so content with you already. Congratulations!!
Absolutely incredible!!!!!! She is PRECIOUS!!! What a blessing to see Tallula safely and happily with her beautiful Mama and Gege!!! Congratulations Stef and Chris!!! YAY!!!!
Hugs from MN,
Diana
So cute! Glad she ajusted well:)
by the way…is she really 37 inches and 39 pounds?
Well, I cried like a baby in my morning coffee…didn’t see that coming! So happy for your family…what a beautiful blessing this little one is!!!
she is ADORABLE!!!!!!!! and so much smaller than her other photos!!!!!!! can’t wait to hear more! congratulations on your new daughter!!!
I am so happy to hear (and see) that she is in your arms. What a cutie!
Praying for all of you.
I’m rejoicing with you! Sooo glad things went so well! I’ll continue to pray that things continue to go well! And yeah, her pictures are too cute!
I can’t stop crying tears of joy for her and for you! So, so happy for you all!
God is truly Awesome!
I am at work crying. LOVE this! so excited for this blessing being added to your family!
OH, it sounds like a perfect beginning! She’s beautiful and doesn’t look like a 4T! Is she? I hope things continue to go well!
What an amazing and beautiful beginning! She is just precious! Congratulations!!! Have a great day together!
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful!!!!
Kathie in NY
I was praying for it to be just this way! So glad to hear the first moments have gone well. We’ll continue to pray for you three (and the ones at home)! He is good!
Oh Happy Day! Tallula is just beautiful!
Your readers are in love … once again!
As always, thank you for sharing your blessings with us!
Love, Kim
I couldn’t wait to get on this morning and see Miss Tallula in your arms! Thrilled beyond words – she is sooo precious….the handiwork of God…amazing! xo
Congratulations, Stephani (and family)! Your daughter is perfect, just beautiful. And your China pictures… are breathtaking! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy every minute in China and keep posting those priceless moments for us to enjoy too. Fondly, Marla
PRAISE JESUS!
She is absolutely beautiful and so are you. What a gift to experience this with your son. So so happy for you all!
That is so amazing! Thank you, Jesus! So happy for you. She is beautiful in every way. 🙂 Congratulations!!!!
hoooooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures. Enjoyed seeing how God prepared her for your first meeting! So encouraging to follow you along- (we’re going soon- 1st time!) Praying for an enjoyable rest of the trip for you all!
Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was praying for you all as I went to bed last night and will keep up the prayers for your precious Tallula!!!!!
She is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see what she’s like, and hear all about her personality! Were her measurements correct??
Happy Tallulah Day! I think it is just precious that her foster family dressed her up for your special day of meeting. I have been praying for you constantly. Paige
Oh. my. goodness. Such sweet cheeks!! Congratulations!! Praying your first few days of finding your way as mother and daughter go smoothly!!
Congratulations! She is so beautiful! So glad you’re first meeting went so well, and pray her adjustment/attachment will go well also.
SO SWEET
My heart is SO happy for you! O praise Him!
Couldn’t wait to wake up and get an update! Oh it is wonderful! So gorgeous. and her jacket is gorgeous too!
Congrats!
Oh, those cheeks!
Wonderful! What a blessed day and wonderful way to celebrate Easter Monday!
God always has such wonderful surprises for us- we had the same experience with both of our girls. It was the power of prayer- I know that without a doubt.
Oh!!! CONGRATULATIONS !!! I LOVE HER !!! She’s so beautiful. What a spirit. WOW. You are so blessed. How in the world did you get so many beautiful kids. I mean it, all your kids are gorgeous. Oh, man she’s cute, and precious. You must feel so blessed. I’m loving this journey. Can’t wait for the next post.
She is so beautiful Stefanie!!! I’m so happy things are going well. Congrat’s to you and your Family. Glory be to God!!! He is so great!!! Blessings to you all!!!
Congratulations!!! She’s absolutely beautiful, and I’m so happy to hear that things went well!!
Congratulations on your Forever Family Day!! She is such a beauty. It looks as if Dalton inherited the gift of photography! I’ve written all of your names down in my prayer journal and will pray for Tallula’s transition and for strength, health and wisdom for you & Dalton.
Aw, hello sweetheart!!
Hugs to mama and gege and to baby Tallula (and hugs to whoever invented digital cameras — might have to google that one).
What a blessed day! My son was so disappointed that Anna Grace didn’t leap into his arms at first sight. On the day we got her, just before bed, she let him give her a bottle of mango juice… after that, she fell asleep on top of him in the bed. I told him to roll her off so he could rest. He refused. He held her for the longest time. I have a photo of that moment that I treasure. I am so happy that your son was able to share in this special day.
I have the information you and i discussed. Message me when you get home and the dust has settled!
Christie
What a great blessing! I know all the days and weeks may not be this “easy”, but grateful for her sweet carers that prepared her for this day! Oh my! She is just a doll!
Such a pretty little girl. Congrats!!
She is just precious! Praying for a good day and that your night went well. 🙂
So very happy for you! She is a doll:) Made me cry:)
She’s beautiful! And even in that big pink coat she looks more petite than her previous pictures…hope the 2t & 3t clothes work!
SO SO CUTE!!!! :-)!!!
This MADE MY MONDAY!!! It actually took me 4 tries to logon!! I guess EVERYONE wanted to get a glimpse of the FIRST MEETING!!! 🙂 She is absolutely GORGEOUS!! I know you guys are smitten with her because I sure am!!!
Congratulations!! Yes, now you have experienced the magic of being blessed with a hubei baby!
Oh, she is darlin’…absolutely darlin’!!!! What a beauty! Congratulations! Joining you in praising God for the gift of Tallula. And, everybody is right…Dalton, you are rockin’ with the photography! 🙂
Praying you are all resting right now. Continuing to pray for this new journey.
Blessings,
Suzanne
i got chills!!!! congrats!!!
OH Stef! Your Tallula is precious!
So happy all the preparing you did w/ Dalton wasn’t really needed after all, you are such a loving mommy. Hope you both enjoy the bonding time in China and it reminds me of my memories w/ my 11 yr old son 2 years ago. We still love reminiscing together our time in China meeting his baby sister too! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures of your special Easter!
Joyous journey and blessings, Cindy
Awesome. Just awesome. Congratulations to Tallula and her new family.
CONGRATS Stef and family!!! This post just totally made my day!! Praying the transition continues to go smoothly and praising God that she had such a wonderful foster family who prepared her for this special moment! God is good!!! < Happy Tallula day… she is a HUNNY!!!! <3
She is truly a DARLING and I hope that you have a smooth transition (or at least as smooth as possible!) To calm days ahead!
Precious in His sight. What a blessing.
She is perfect in all ways and absolutely PRECIOUS!!! You are radiant, Stefanie….a big Congrats to you and your family!!
xo
Oh, Stafanie, I am so happy for you!!!!!!
She is so adorable. Congratulations!!
You made me shed some tears here. 😛
YEAH< YEAH< YEAH!! Her eyes are so soulful!
Congratulations she is so gorgeous and I love her outfit x x
Oh Happy Day!!!! She is simply beautiful!!!!!!
I realize you are busy right now but we are currently waiting on our I-800 for twins. We really want to get some pictures of our family to our girls. How do we do that. You said that your foster mom prepared your daughter with your pictures so how did you send those pictures? If you can get back to me with suggestions that would be great but if you are very busy (and overtired) I understand. Thanks.
Congrats on this special day. She is absolutly adorable. It takes me back 5 years ago, same date and same time; we held our little girl for the first time. So we celebrated our own family-day today.
Enjoy this special time with the 3 of you!!
Big hug, all the way from The Netherlands.
Yeah! So exciting! Congrats.
This is my first time ever posting but I just had to comment. I woke up thinking…Tallula Day…and there she was. So gorgeous! Praying things continue to get better!!!
Lots of Blessings from a former Pennsylvanian turned Montreal, Canadian xoxo
Stef – Your words, “Clearly her foster mom had lovingly prepared her for his day.” made me cry at how much she must have been loved. Congratulation and I’ll continue to send good thoughts yours, Dalton’s, Tallula’s, and your family at home’s way.
Parise the Lord for his mercy on this day and for the gift of such a kind foster mother! Praying she continues to receive the love you are pouring out Stefanie!
So precious!! Praying everything continues to go smoothly for you!
No greater gift than today…the day your daughter has found her Mama….and the day Mama’s baby is finally home. May the days ahead in China take their lead by that sweet baby girl…and be exactly how they were meant to be. Congratulations, Stefanie! xoxox Dita
Stephanie! I am so thrilled things are going so well for you all! She is beautiful and you are yet on another amazing journey. Wishing you many blessings and prayers for a continued good and safe trip. We are all enjoying the journey with you!
Congrats! She is absolutely beautiful! I’m glad she having an easy transition so far, and I hope your night went well too. We met our little one in Jiangsu yesterday, and he is warming up. Blessings:)
Oh my!!! God is so good! She is beautiful. We will continue to pray for her little heart and that the blessings continue!
My little sister was the same way with the photo album we sent her.
Congratulations! She is a super cutie!
/gratefully praising God
This is superficial, but I absolutely LOVE her coat! Is she as robusto as expected?
CONGRATS!! She is GORGEOUS!!
I doubt our ladybug would have cried as hard as she did if I had been able to take it slow, too. Her nanny at the orphanage had obviously shown Little Miss Ladybug her album and, five years later, she still loves to flip through it. :O)
Gotcha Day is such a miracle in its own right. :O)
Yay ~ congratulations on Tallula day! She is a beautiful girlie! I am so very glad that everything went well, and I pray that she continues to bond with you easily. What a blessing she is!! And what a blessing that she had been lovingly prepared for your arrival, too.
All the best,
Nicole A., now in LA
Congratulations on Tallula Day and a beautiful new addition to your family!!
How touching.