Tuesday, June 2, 2009

We met Baby Sooryeo today!

Today, we met our baby girl! We did a trial run this morning to SWS, which was only supposed to be a 10 min walk. Given my extreme inability with directions, it took us nearly 45 min and plenty of people trying to help us. However, no one seemed to know where Han Suh hospital was behind the KB bank. I swear there were 4 hospitals and 20 banks on that street. Anyway, we happened upon this sign & knew we would finally make it there!
This is the SWS building. International adoption services is on the 7th floor, which is where we met our social worker, Miss Lee. Miss Lee spoke SOME English, so she was our translator with the foster mom & driver.





Me waiting not-so-patiently for Miss Lee and our driver to take us to the foster house.

This is the foster family's apartment. It's ~20 min from SWS, in Seoul. It's an older building and there are no elevators, so mom had to suffer through 6 flights with her swollen knees. Also, there was no air conditioning and no one seemed to mind. Her appt was very simple, clean and tiny. We exchanged gifts and then the foster mom fed us cookies, watermelon & OJ.

L-R: Foster mom, Sooryeo, Miss Lee, me. Sooryeo is VERY attached to her foster mom. She called her Oh-ma many times throughout our 2 hr visit. She let us play with her only from the safety of her foster mom's arms. It was obvious they love each other dearly. I know it will be a rough transition, but Sooryeo is genuinely loved and will be dearly missed.
Sooryeo scoots around on the floor by rolling & crawling military style. She doesn't sit up on her own, but I think it's because her head is enormous. She certainly likes her food and was chewing on baby pretzels & the cookies served to us. She also tried to drink from the foster mom's glass and eat watermelon. I guess they are sending us with some of her favorite food when we get her on THURSDAY at 11 AM!!!The foster mom was so sweet to Mom and I. She didn't speak any English, but her emotion was conveyed to us both. She said lots of Korean to us individually, stroked our hands and teared a little. We are obviously blessed to have such a loving foster mother for our daughter!


As you can see, Sooryeo liked me only from afar. But she enjoyed our singing & playing with her toys. Thursday will be unreal!
Dave says that I'll know what to name her when I meet her. I expected to see her and just KNOW, but I really don't. I think she'll stay Sooryeo until she gets home and we can decide together who she really is.

8 comments:

Julie said...

She is so precious, and how lucky she is to be transitioning from a loving foster Mommy to the greatest Mommy in the world! We can't wait to meet her. Love you and hurry home!

amanda said...

How adorable!!!It must be so wonderful to know that your baby was care for so deeply until you could come and bring her home!! Just think of all that love that little girl has...and it won't be long until she is filled with even more once she is home with all of her family!! Breathe deep and soak it all in!!

Unknown said...

Wow! How exciting- I am crying at work reading this! Sooryeo is so blessed to be loved by so many. Congratulations again. She is just beautiful.

Annette said...

What a sweet baby girl! I loved all the photos and seeing you with her finally ;-) We'll be praying for your transition later this week. Camden has been doing very good with us, but right before bedtime is very rough for him. That must have been a special time for him with his foster Mommy. I'm sure Sooryeo will warm up to you!

Katy Gilliam said...

I am so teary! I could not be happier for you and for your family. She is gorgeous!

Diane Lanevi said...

She is adorable! And, she will fall in love with you within a few days - don't worry. Just give her a little time. Lots of love, hugs and kisses and she'll be there. You are her new mom! yeah!!

Amy and Ashley said...

We are so excited and she is so cute. Ashley and I are looking at her pictures now and Ashley says she looks like a "Lucy"! We are so excited to meet her when you guys are ready. Have a safe trip home!

Amy and Elizabeth said...

I am posting again, just thought of a great name for you to consider...Suri Paul. Elizabeth says to tell you she loves it!!!!!! We are full of great name ideas for you as you can see. We all just enjoyed the pictures again - thanks for sharing your experience on this post! Amy and Elizabeth