Emma's Adoption Day

This is adoption day in Vietnam.  I was absolutely terrified - I really had no experience with babies (my sisters were the baby fanatics - I always loved kids when they got older - I just never did well with babies).  We had been told to kind of be stand-offish so as to not scare our child, to warm up to them slowly and let them warm up to us.  I was so afraid Emma would start crying and cry for days (as some adopted children do).  However, she was so young - 7-1/2 months and so weak (the heat made her wilt and she was behind in her motor skills) - she was really in shock I believe - especially when she saw my bigger-than-normal American nose!  She is just staring at it - it is too funny.  We had been told about that also by our agency - that American noses kind of freak the children out at first.  Hee.  Anyway....it is a surreal moment when you are handed a baby/child and told this is "your" child.  Probably like when you give birth - just doesn't seem real.  Honestly sometimes it still does not seem real.  Who knows how Noelle will act but I think Emma will have a huge influence on that and Noelle may not be scared at all but she will go through a huge adjustment period with us, and the bonding and attaching process will be an ongoing thing.   This video seems as if it was just taken yesterday.  Emma was such a beautiful baby and still has those gorgeous eyes.

I made up for the kissing and hugging as soon as we got back to the hotel and have not stopped since!!  So Emma is a real kissy girl now - smacks right on the lips all the time, any time.   :D  Needless to say this time I will not be as afraid and cannot wait to hold Noelle in my arms and hug her cheek to mine and kiss her beautiful little head many times over.  :D