So many firsts, in so little time...

First time leaving the security of all she knows...

First time in a coat and hat that are HERS...

First time with a Mommy and a Daddy...

First time waiting for a car to go somewhere...

First time in a car...

First sleep in Mommy's arms...

First Gerber toddler meal...

First nap with her new family...

If I had to sum up the last 3 hours, I would say heartbreaking.  Sofia is 2 1/2.  Old enough to not trust us just because we meet her needs, but yet not old enough to see the big picture.  She was terrified.  It was heartbreaking.  She's happy at the baby home, it's all she knows.  I'm smiling in all the pictures, but all of us had tears!  Her cry was so sad, so mournful.  When you have a baby and they put the baby in your arms for the first time, they immediately calm down.  They know your voice, they know your smell.  Everything about us is unfamiliar to Sofia.  She does not feel comforted by us.  The whole process was not more than an hour.  we gave the head doctor(pictured above) her new clothes.  Then while she went to change her our translator went over Sofia's schedule with us.  Stick to the schedule!  It's what she knows!  No problem...how long do think it will take us American's to screw this kid up?  I'm thinking of trying to send Adrienne and Alexa to the baby home on an exchange program, if they could get on this schedule it would be smooth sailing at the Culley house!  Of course the schedule doesn't account for dance and gymnastics:)  They finally brought Sofia to us with her new clothes on, and she immediately started to cry.  She always cries, but this was different.  She totally sensed that something was going on.  We love the head doctor there.  Sweetest woman, and genuinely happy to see these children go to loving homes.  We wanted a picture of Sofia with her, so when I handed her over Sofia held on to her for dear life.  I wanted to say, "I will take you too!  We have a nice finished basement you can stay in!".  But alas, we had to leave the doctor behind and venture out into the world on our own.  Sofia cried a slow steady cry while waiting for the car and in the car.  She fell asleep about 5 minutes away from the hotel.  When we got to hotel she cried and cried.  Not temper tantrum I'm 2 and mad cry, but what is going on I'm scared cry.  Rip my heart out because I can't explain it to you cry.  Finally she showed some interest in a snack so I gave her some little puff things.  Her face lit up a little with those.  I think she remembered the can from our last visit.  In the meantime Mark went down to the lobby to find a microwave and heat up an actual meal.  The food thing is so hard.  She inhales what you give her, and you have to use your judgement to stop her, but it was her first pleasure since being with us and I just wanted to keep giving her food!  After she ate she got interested in her books and puzzles and played for a little while.  Mark then went out to get us some lunch!  I decided it was naptime.  Just as I thought, she was terrified of the crib.  We'll have to get that taken out right away and a bed brought in.  I snuggled with her awhile in the chair.  She is a thumb sucker!  Just like my other two:)  So cute!  I laid her on the bed and rubbed her back and she went to sleep quite easily.  I really wanted to hold her and let her sleep in my arms, but my experienced Mommy brain kicked in and said no.  She needs to go to sleep on the bed, wake up on the bed, and realize she is just fine.  Mission accomplished.  No bad habits started yet!  Hoping she will wake up rested and happy and ready to give us a chance:)  I will try to post later after she goes to bed!