Gotcha Day

25 February 2010 – Gotcha day dawned and of course nerves were on edge, while trying to remain calm, it was an exercise in control, doing what needs doing, leaving feelings, pushed back until nearer the time of meeting.

Ellen had a gift for the foster mother, a exact match of one she wears with our family pictures inside, this one with a picture of Yu-Hsuan inside. Tian made a paper heart to go on the outside.

Since this was the last day at our hotel in Tainan, we made sure we took advantage of all the wonderful items from the breakfast bar, and they were wonderful – ham and cheese omelet made to order, fresh yogurt, juices, muffins, wonderful country bacon with more meat than fat, sapodilla, which we used as a jelly, and many Chinese delights for Tian.

Breakfast finished we returned to our room to pack it up to check out. The things that strike one upon leaving a hotel, the furniture, one last picture of Tian, pictures in the lobby.

Then off we go to check out and make arrangements to leave the bags while we are gone. A taxi ride ensues with the orphanage a scant 2 miles away, the driver gets lost 3 times, stopping to ask for directions of people in the street until we finally arrive at St. Lucy's about 30 minutes early.

We were shown to a room, where we waited for our son and his foster family to arrive. I took these pictures while waiting and then...my camera died. The battery had run out of juice. What a bummer, on this most important day.

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While waiting, we were informed that not only would Yu-Hsuan's foster family be there to meet us, but also his biological mother, step brother and step father. We also learned that his name was not pronounced U-Swan but U-Shin.

Yu-Hsuan's foster parents are both from aboriginal tribes of Taiwan. Unfortunately at this time I do not have a picture of our actual meeting only subsequent pictures.

His foster mom presented us with a hand made hat for me, a cap for Tian with Yu-Hsuan also wearing a hat. The three of us each received a handmade necklace made with beads of specific meaning.

Presentation of necklaces to us with Yu-Hsuan in aboriginal garb.

Our family of four!

Foster family and us.

Biological mom, step brother, Yu-Hsuan.

Brother and sister.

Foster family and us.

Biological mother, foster family and us.

Step father, biological mom, step brother.

Tian and Yu-Hsuan.

Foster mom, Tian and Yu-Hsuan.

Tian, foster mom telling about Yu-Hsuan's shoulder bag, Mei-Chun, interpreter.

First impressions – he is tiny. Then again, so did Tian seem when we adopted her two years ago. He weighs around 42 pounds.