Travel was long, especially the 17 hrs TO - HK in the middle, but thankfully uneventful. Jade picked us up, helped us get SIM cards, so thoughtfully brought us snacks and drinks, and took us to our beautiful hotel, Bliston Suwan Park View. Unpacked and didn't sleep much despite exhaustion... just jetlag and excitement.
Our driver picked us up and we met Karn and Jane and went out to Pakkred. They took us to a room with food and toys and couches, presented us with not one but TWO photo albums of her life, we're so lucky! We signed a release form, then they
brought
her
out!!!
She's perfect. Within a few minutes she let me hold her, then Mike. A little stiff and unsure at first, and still, but at least she wants to be held. Constantly!
We met her nannies and saw where she slept and talked about her routine and food and abilities. The food part is worrying me a bit, she takes formula and rice, hasn't been exposed to much else, or even chewing, but we'll get there. She can stand and walk, but hates it, much prefers to be carted everywhere like the princess she is. And no words yet, but they'll come.
We learned her Thai nickname is Kapoon, which is a fermented noodle dish. :D
She was super calm, so they sent us on our way with so many goodies - including some red shoes! and two dresses and diapers and formula.
Somewhere along the way she picked up a little plastic bone and had a death-grip on it all afternoon. Makes me think she and the dogs will understand each other just fine.
Off we went for photos, she fell sound asleep in my arms in the van on the way... yeah, car seat schmar seat, we're in Asia! She didn't like sitting on her own or the flash for the photos, but we got through it! Then a delicious lunch - she ate some tofu and rice and carrots and mango, but not much. Picked up the photos then took a trip to the bank for a cashier's cheque. She liked looking at all the people.
Back to the hotel for our first time on our own with her. She did really well - a few quiet tears, way less than I would do if I'd just been taken away from literally everything I know. She was pretty easy to entertain - her bone, a post-it note and a bottle lid kept her busy on my lap until bedtime. The bath was terrifying, as were diaper changes - she might be a never-nude? I don't know. Thankfully her idea of screaming in terror is pretty mild as far as terror-screams can go. She went riiiiiiight to sleep in her cot.
I was up pretty much all night for the 5th in a row. Jet lag, new-parent worry, extremely reduced activity levels... not happening. Worried my rock-solid immune system is going to crash as a result, now is not the time! Another thing we need to work on. She was super good, stayed in her crib and more or less asleep all night. She scared us to bits with some self-soothing, though - rocking on all fours, and (lightly) banging her head repeatedly (on her mattress). A quick Google search calmed us down on this, it's normal enough not to worry about.
We made it through breakfast at the hotel - the staff adore her. Again, she didn't eat much, but a few baked beans made it down the hatch. Taking her formula happily at least.
We're now well past the 24 hr mark, it's taken me all day to write this. This morning we did a stroller journey down the street to the supermarket. She hated the stroller at first, but as soon as we got outside and there were things to look at, it was all good. And she ate some mango puree while we waited for the store to open! Walking in Bangkok isn't easy, very narrow busy sidewalks next to narrow busy roads, but we managed. Looking forward to walkies with the dogs back home!
Now pictures! Sorry they're out of order, formatting things is the least of my worries right now!
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| First family photo |
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| First look |
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| First hold |
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| So happy to have the photo albums |
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| with her nannies <3 |
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| snooze |
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| with Auntie Karn |
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| hold tight! |
