So, what were we doing when we got 'The Call' you ask? Why we were building a bear, of course! Tony took today off because we were hoping we would receive 'The Call' and we really wanted to be together when we received the wonderful news. We decided we would spend the day doing fun baby things. My sister, Patti, gave me the great idea of buying a stuffed animal that has a voice recorder in it so we could record a message and send it to our little one in a care package. Tony and I went to Toys R Us and Babies R Us this morning looking for just such a thing. Clerks at both stores knew exactly what we were talking about but neither store had anything like it in stock. A clerk at the Babies R Us store suggested we go to Build-A-Bear and see what they had to offer. So, off we went.
When we got to the store we were greeted by the most delightful woman named Freda. I tried to tell her what we wanted to do but I got too choked up. Tony stepped in and explained that we were adopting from China and wanted to make a bear for our daughter. Tony told Freda, if possible, we wanted to make a recording to place in the bear to tell our daughter how much we loved her and couldn't wait to bring her home. Freda was so excited and got started helping us right away. Freda gave us the voice recorder and sent us to the restroom so we could have privacy when recording our message to Lily. How funny is that?! Anyway, Tony and I talked a little bit about what we wanted to say and then decided to just go for it.
Freda helped us stuff the bear and put two hearts in it (because we need to send our daughter extra love!). Freda made us promise that we would bring Lily in once we were home and settled.
Can I just tell you how perfect Freda was?! She sort of looks like Mrs. Doubtfire....and I don't mean that in a nasty way. She was sweet and kind and if you are going to receive the news that you are finally a parent in front of a complete and total stranger this is just the woman for the job! Sorry the picture quality isn't the best....I used my Sidekick.
We had just had this picture taken with Freda when my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number (it wasn't our agency's number) but I answered the call. Sure enough it was Sandy, our China Coordinator, saying "Congratulations Mommy!". I burst out crying in the middle of the store. Tony and I ran out of the store and sat down on a bench in the middle of the mall and put the phone on speaker. Sitting in the middle of the Columbia Mall we learned what little we know about our daughter. Sandy said we should receive more information either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Once again I find myself wishing life came with a fast-forward button!
Tony and I sat on the bench....hug, cried, and made a million telephone calls. I'm sure the people walking past us thought we were crazy!
Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people that cries pretty. You know, a little sniffle here and there. Nope. Not me. I am more of the huge red blotches, runny nose, gasping for air types. I'm sure onlookers thought we had just gotten the worst news...not the best news..of our lives! Tony and I stopped two young girls that were walking past us to take our picture. They were very sweet and acted like crazy people stopped them in the mall every day asking to have their picture taken!
Tony and I then went to PF Chang's for a little celebratory lunch and to let the news settle in. It still hasn't.
When we arrived home we found that my sisters had been here. They had left beautiful flowers, bottles of wine, and Megamillion tickets (after all...obviously it's a lucky day for us!)
I can't begin to describe how happy Tony and I are. At the same time we can't wait for Thursday or Friday. We so want to see our little one's face and know more information about her!
What a wonderful day it has been!
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