Gotcha!!!!

So sorry to be just now updating, but it's been a bit of a whirlwind, as I'm sure you can imagine. Gotcha day went well. We arrived in Lanzhou from Beijing on Sunday afternoon, and the "babies" were late arriving because of a 2 hour detour. Poor babies traveled 8-10 hours and then had to deal with the fright of a bunch of people wanting them to call them Momma and Baba. Anyway, our guide Steed (as in the horse) got us checked into the hotel and then walked us down to a Walmart-ish kind of store - wayyyy busy on a Sunday tho, so we didn't buy much besides water, and noodles for eating in the room, assuming the day would be hectic. When we got back to the hotel, we had a few minutes and then went to a separate room where they were waiting. I tried to take it slow with David, but the orphanage director/nannies were pointing to me and saying Momma and of course, he was getting scared. I went to him, but he was pretty worried, so I didn't pressure him too much. Then I went to see Andrew. It was kinda wierd being split between the 2. As expected, the whole day was pretty tough on David, but Andrew's a pretty laid back kinda guy (let's hope he stays that way), so he was just taking it all in. When it was time to part ways, we pretty much just had to pick David up and go, poor little guy.

 

Later that evening, when it was time for PJs, of course, David didn't want to give up his clothes for other clothes, smelling unfamiliar, but also meaning that he was staying with us... so we let it go. And when it was time for bed, he didn't want any part of that either. We had 2 beds next to each other for he and Sam. Sam was in one and when David was crying in his, Sam slid over into David's bed and was a great big brother.

 

The next day, we had to do more paperwork and that meant seeing the same people again and I was so worried about David seeing them again. Thankfully, it went pretty well and not too traumatic. We were there a long time, and after a while, Sam and David were chasing each other around and being silly, and each of them were calling each other brother. God is oh so very good!!

 

Andrew, as I said, is pretty laid back. He's tiny, as his measurements had said, but he's also got some catching up to do. He can't sit up yet, or crawl or stand, and he's still on just a bottle... but we're quite sure we can get him up to speed pretty quickly. Everytime we eat, I try to slip something in on him (congee/rice soup, a bit of egg, etc). He cried the first few times, but this morning (Wed), he didn't cry at all, pretended to block it, and then swallowed it down. This afternoon, we gave him some tiny bits of Ritz cracker and he actually liked it! The other little girl in our group is of similar age and similar ability - tho David's quite on target - so I'm not sure what all that means. I'll have to ask a few other parents of kiddos from that orphanage about their experiences.

 

Sam and David have been playing together very well, a few squabbles of course, and a sighting or two of the green eyed monster, but overall, very good. Andrew hangs out waiting for his next bottle, or playtime, or whatever. Faith's been pretty helpful, so long as you ask her to do it, and not expect her to just know to help. She's in heaven because right down the street is a place with some special noodles for about 50 cents US... she's eaten them everyday for either lunch or dinner. She hasn't found chicken feet yet tho. :o)

 

Speaking of dinner, it's a little tough around here. There's KFC and there's KFC and a bakery that has some odd creations, but if you get there early enough, you can find a pretty good sandwich or two (provided you're brave enough to try the unknown). There are plenty of Chinese restaurants, of course, but no English menus or English speaking workers... our guide didn't even recommend it, but is only a phone call away if we want him to have KFC delivered for us.

 

We went to a dinosaur museum yesterday and out for the famous beef noodles of Gansu province (or is it from Lanzhou?) for lunch and they were pretty good. Today to a cool park and the zoo (our animals just don't know how good they've got it in DC!). Tomorrow is "a day off"... not sure for whom, but we're pretty sure we're gonna have to get creative to not be too bored. The passports should be back by tomorrow night and then we fly for Guangzhou on Friday (YAYYYYYYYYYY GOD!!!!!).

 

We were supposed to go to a local park for the end of Chinese New Year (the Lantern Festival) one evening, but it's been too cold at night. Our first night here was the actual end of CNY, and the last night people could legally set off fireworks... and boy did they. All night long from about 7pm until at least 1am... constant from both of our rooms (across the hall from each other, so on both sides of the building). It was great... for about an hour... but at least the boys liked them and it took David's mind off his troubles.

 

We've been able to Skype with the kiddos at home several times, and thanks to some awesomely wonderful ladies, they're doing great. They couldn't wait to see the boyz! Please pray for them too.

 

That's about it for now. I've got lots of pictures to share, but have just included these 3 for now. Since tomorrow's "a day off", I should have some time to go thru them and post some good ones, but wanted to post these important ones now. Thanks so very much for praying for us - we're very aware of it and God has been so very gracious to us every step of the way.

 

Love you guys - see you soon!!

The Benton Bunch on location