Gotcha!

Oh, the sweetest day.  Really, I just lay watching Grace sleep for her first nap with us and thanked God that everything went so well.
We left in rush hour traffic (makes San Antonio look like the countryside) to travel to a government building to pick up Grace.  We were all so nervous and excited.  When we arrived, the elevator was out so we hiked it up 6 flights of stairs to get our girl.  Cory said it could have been twenty, but judging by how breathless and winded we were when we got to the top, it could have been twenty but at a much slower pace!  Our guide opened a door at the top and there she was!  She looked a bit shy and timid in her nanny's arms but what an answered prayer when she willingly came to mine.  So dear and treasured in my heart.  Moments later shy and timid left and a great game of "throw the baby doll" began.  So many cuddles, so many giggles and so many smiles.   Cory and I know that we can't judge how things will be by the first day, but let's do it anyway just for fun!  She is so expressive...loves to throw things with a great climatic wind up and then a glance around the room to see who is most impressed.  In the hotel lobby, where Carter stated that she  looked as if "she was on tour" by all of the stares from staff and business men, Grace could have cared less and decided to walk and coo and giggle and play.  At the grocery store, more stares but she had a snack bowl full of puffs which were gone quickly, held by the sweetest little pincher grasp.  Didn't want to be fed but determined to do it herself.  Diaper changes and her first bottle...so sweet.  She has two teeth coming in on that crazy cleft and the kids decided it was "pretty gross" but that they didn't care.  Carter said she was worth every penny and Claire thought she was beautiful even with the gross teeth.  I love my kids.  The three here and the one in NC who told me about his cherry ice cream this morning.
Grace loves to mimic and copy and make noises.  Her cleft is bad enough that she can't say much but has the cutest raspy voice and coos.  And one great giggle!  She loves to have her feet kissed (you know that all four of us have done it!) and she throws herself into your lap for big hugs.  We are all happy to make up for any lost time or lost affection.
It was obvious from meeting her nanny and nurse that they loved her and took good care of her.  We are so grateful and despite the language barrier, we could feel the mutual appreciation for one another.  We barely know this little person but like her a lot and love her forever.  It feels very natural for us all which is such a blessing.

All of friends stateside are casting a vote today.  We voted too.  For Grace.  No matter who takes office, you can vote for life, you can vote for education, you can vote for healthcare, you can vote to help the helpless.  Today we took all of our favorite platforms from each party and said yes to supporting them in the life of little Grace.  Oh, the sweetest day.  We gotcha.