Victoria has been home over a week now and she has melded into our family. It's like she has always been here and we can't imagine life without her.
She adores her "anas" - "brothers" in Telugu. She cries when they leave for school and is so excited when we pick them up. She enjoys pulling Logan's covers off in the morning to wake him up saying loudly, "Ana ana ana ana".
Victoria is all girl and follows me around most of the day imitating what I do. She says, "Mama" and pats the kitchen counter to be picked up and put on it. She hangs her doll's clothes on the drying rack and "organizes" my kitchen drawers.
She chatters in Telugu all day long. We think she understands over half of what we say in English to her. She often obeys commands.
Victoria loves shoes ("slippers") and enjoys running errands in town. She becomes quite shy when others give her attention. She has a couple favorite books. One has a picture of ice cream and she loves to look at that picture. She says "ice cee" for ice cream and "gee" for green. She is starting to point to different objects when I say them and she compares the broccoli in the picture to the trees outside.
She eats anything we give her and ice cream has become a favorite food. She often asks to have "biscuits" (cookies, crackers) throughout the day. We think she would eat all day if we let her.
She sleeps well at night, but wakes up too early (jet lag). This morning she slept past her usual 5:00am until 7:00am which was wonderful!
Her foster family said that she enjoys dancing, but we had not seen this side of her. I had tried to get her to dance with no success. However, last night we played some Telugu nursery rhyme songs from Youtube and the girl broke loose in dance. It was very Indian, very unique, very funny and VERY CUTE!
What a joy she is to get to know and discover. It is fun to learn her quirks and what makes her happy. We continue to marvel at the gift she is to us!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Home Sweet Home!
Landing in Chicago was splendid!!! Getting off the plane was even better! Everything seemed so clean and the air so fresh! We went through customs and immigration. We gave our sealed Visa packet to the immigration officer who was so friendly and congratulated us. Oh, to be home!!!! We waited at our gate for about an hour. I washed up in the bathroom which felt amazing and drank from the drinking fountain!!!! Oh, to have unlimited drinking water! Even the Chicago city water tasted good just because it was out of a fountain!
We visited with a young gal from Indianapolis who had just spent 3 months working at an orphanage in Calcutta. She had lots of good insights for us about the children there and how they are cared for in institutions. Helped us to understand Victoria more.
The plane ride from Chicago to Indy was short and sweet. Victoria watched out the window most of the way. She could sense our excitement because she was very excited herself. When we got off the plane she just wanted to run and yell. And then we saw them!!!!! Our boys!!!! Waiting right past the security sign. Victoria instantly knew who they were and the 3 of them ran and played and laughed together. It was so beautiful! Having been around our little peanut, the boys looked like monsters! They had on their "I'm the big brother" shirts from their Aunt Julie. They just had a blast running around the airport together.
Kid's choice was McDonalds. Again, way too much fun! Will and Logan helped Victoria play in the Playplace. They taught her all she needed to know - except for how to eat. Once it was time to eat, she wanted nothing to do with her nuggets and fries (she gobbled them up in India) and just wanted to play. She lost the battle as Billy finally took her out to the van for some quiet time.
The boys chatted with and "held" Victoria the whole way home. The three of them sat in the back of the van together with her in the middle. So precious. And we finally got home sweet home! It was surreal carrying her into her home - right were she belongs.
What a wonderful reunion - our whole family finally together! All is well.
We visited with a young gal from Indianapolis who had just spent 3 months working at an orphanage in Calcutta. She had lots of good insights for us about the children there and how they are cared for in institutions. Helped us to understand Victoria more.
The plane ride from Chicago to Indy was short and sweet. Victoria watched out the window most of the way. She could sense our excitement because she was very excited herself. When we got off the plane she just wanted to run and yell. And then we saw them!!!!! Our boys!!!! Waiting right past the security sign. Victoria instantly knew who they were and the 3 of them ran and played and laughed together. It was so beautiful! Having been around our little peanut, the boys looked like monsters! They had on their "I'm the big brother" shirts from their Aunt Julie. They just had a blast running around the airport together.
Kid's choice was McDonalds. Again, way too much fun! Will and Logan helped Victoria play in the Playplace. They taught her all she needed to know - except for how to eat. Once it was time to eat, she wanted nothing to do with her nuggets and fries (she gobbled them up in India) and just wanted to play. She lost the battle as Billy finally took her out to the van for some quiet time.
The boys chatted with and "held" Victoria the whole way home. The three of them sat in the back of the van together with her in the middle. So precious. And we finally got home sweet home! It was surreal carrying her into her home - right were she belongs.
What a wonderful reunion - our whole family finally together! All is well.
Our Last Days in India
After the visa processing we were completely ready to get home. We were wishing we had an earlier flight. Delhi is not as nice as Bangalore. When we were flying into Delhi from Bangalore the pilot even said that there was "a cover of fog - actually it's smog". Not pretty! The sun looked orange much of the day and we could even see the smog inside the airport.
We took Victoria swimming at the Metropolitan. It was very cold. She liked it at first, but then when Billy dipped her to near her neck, she was NOT happy! We promptly left. However, she does enjoy water. She'll play in her tubby until she turns pruny!
We didn't thoroughly enjoy the Metropolitan. Breakfast was good (and free), but everything else was way too expensive. To use the internet for 30 minutes was going to b e $6.00. I just couldn't pay it after what we were already paying to stay there. However, it was safe, clean and the hot showers were GREAT!
On Tuesday we went to the zoo. Our driver (who was becoming quite annoying by now) wanted to join us for the day. A couple times he took us to places we didn't want to go. One time we wanted him to take us to McDonalds and he said there was not one close. So he took us to an expensive restaurant (which he said was not expensive). We chose not to eat there and went back out to the vehicle and told him it was expensive. (He did not look happy.) He then proceeded to drive a few kilometers to......a McDonalds!!! Another time he told us the Dili Haat shopping area was closed and took us to the Delhi Haat. We promptly left the place without buying anything. Again, he was not happy with us. We're thinking he would get a share of what we spent there. He also tried a couple times to overcharge us for parking in different areas. We watched for signs and corrected him once. (Not happy again.) So at the zoo, Billy finally told him we needed some family time and he went his own way. Victoria wanted to be held most of the time. The zoo was very quiet. A few school groups and a few people. A group of young guys, one in particular, kept following us and taking pictures. We did see some neat animals, some native to India and it was a bit of a reprieve from the chaos of Delhi.
Then we ate at McDonalds and went back to the hotel to rest and shower before heading out to dinner and the airport.
Our flight didn't leave until 12:50 that night, so we paid to get a late check-out. We went out to dinner. Victoria slept for a while at the restaurant. We walked around some stores for a bit and then had our driver take us to the airport. We arrived about 9:45, thinking we were way too early. However, it took us nearly 3 hours to check in and get through all the security! It seemed like forever!!! And we had some souvenirs packed in a carry-on and totally forgot that there was a knife in there. OOOPS! Sorry about your Christmas present, Brett. I'm just glad they didn't haul Billy off! We got to our gate in time to sit for a a bit and use the restroom.
Victoria did wonderful on the 15 hour plane ride. Only the last 3o minutes or so did she cry. We think her ears hurt. She played, ripped magazines and slept. It was such a long flight, but we made it through and it could have been much worse.
We took Victoria swimming at the Metropolitan. It was very cold. She liked it at first, but then when Billy dipped her to near her neck, she was NOT happy! We promptly left. However, she does enjoy water. She'll play in her tubby until she turns pruny!
We didn't thoroughly enjoy the Metropolitan. Breakfast was good (and free), but everything else was way too expensive. To use the internet for 30 minutes was going to b e $6.00. I just couldn't pay it after what we were already paying to stay there. However, it was safe, clean and the hot showers were GREAT!
On Tuesday we went to the zoo. Our driver (who was becoming quite annoying by now) wanted to join us for the day. A couple times he took us to places we didn't want to go. One time we wanted him to take us to McDonalds and he said there was not one close. So he took us to an expensive restaurant (which he said was not expensive). We chose not to eat there and went back out to the vehicle and told him it was expensive. (He did not look happy.) He then proceeded to drive a few kilometers to......a McDonalds!!! Another time he told us the Dili Haat shopping area was closed and took us to the Delhi Haat. We promptly left the place without buying anything. Again, he was not happy with us. We're thinking he would get a share of what we spent there. He also tried a couple times to overcharge us for parking in different areas. We watched for signs and corrected him once. (Not happy again.) So at the zoo, Billy finally told him we needed some family time and he went his own way. Victoria wanted to be held most of the time. The zoo was very quiet. A few school groups and a few people. A group of young guys, one in particular, kept following us and taking pictures. We did see some neat animals, some native to India and it was a bit of a reprieve from the chaos of Delhi.
Then we ate at McDonalds and went back to the hotel to rest and shower before heading out to dinner and the airport.
Our flight didn't leave until 12:50 that night, so we paid to get a late check-out. We went out to dinner. Victoria slept for a while at the restaurant. We walked around some stores for a bit and then had our driver take us to the airport. We arrived about 9:45, thinking we were way too early. However, it took us nearly 3 hours to check in and get through all the security! It seemed like forever!!! And we had some souvenirs packed in a carry-on and totally forgot that there was a knife in there. OOOPS! Sorry about your Christmas present, Brett. I'm just glad they didn't haul Billy off! We got to our gate in time to sit for a a bit and use the restroom.
Victoria did wonderful on the 15 hour plane ride. Only the last 3o minutes or so did she cry. We think her ears hurt. She played, ripped magazines and slept. It was such a long flight, but we made it through and it could have been much worse.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Visa Processing
On Monday we did Victoria's Immigrant Visa processing. It went WONDERFUL. We had our interview appt. at 12:00 so had to get her medical done before that. Our driver picked us up and we went straight to Dr. Chawalas office for her medical check up. We waited outside for about 30 minutes. Victoria and her dad read the paper together and she played on the grass for a while. Then we waited in the waiting room inside for a bit. We were finally called in. Victoria had to get 4 immunizations at $160.00! Ouch for all of us! And it wasn't quick and painless. The nurse didn't do them all at once very quickly like they do in the States. I could have cried with my little girl! She did get a sucker which helped matters. We waited a while longer and received our paperwork. We were there a total of about 2 1/2 hours.
We headed over to the embassy. It was interesting driving by other various embassies. And it was a breath of fresh air (well, kind of - we were still breathing Delhi smog) being on our own turf even if it only consisted of a square block or less. We received our number and went to the waiting room which was packed with people waiting for visas of various kinds. Lucky us to be adopting for they rush you right through. We immediately were able to go to one of the windows to turn in our paperwork. The lady asked for a few of our documents, we paid the fee and waited for our interview. During that time Victoria played with blocks at a little table. I used the restroom. It actually smelled like bathroom cleaner from America and had TP too! (Maybe that's what part of the visa fee went for? $400.00 well spent I'll say!)
A nice lady called us to the window for our interview. She spoke English with no accent. She asked us a few questions and continued to process our paperwork. She said we could come back the next day to pick up Victoria's visa or get it that same day between 3:00 and 4:00pm. We opted to go ahead and get it that day and just be done with it.
We had our driver take us to eat and then returned about 3:00 and got Victoria's visa! What a moment of relief for me! The paperwork was COMPLETE and we could hop on a plane and take our girl home!!!!! Not even a little hiccup. And done in one day! Most families take 3 days to complete the medical and visa processing. We chose to try in two days because the embassy was closed on Veteran's Day. This was a great blessing in disguise.
We also me a wonderful Christian man who was having a difficult time getting his wife's visa. He is American, she is Indian and they have a little baby together. Say a prayer that he won't have to wait any longer and can get his family home where they belong as well.
Thank you, Lord, for guiding and directing each and every step of this day!
We headed over to the embassy. It was interesting driving by other various embassies. And it was a breath of fresh air (well, kind of - we were still breathing Delhi smog) being on our own turf even if it only consisted of a square block or less. We received our number and went to the waiting room which was packed with people waiting for visas of various kinds. Lucky us to be adopting for they rush you right through. We immediately were able to go to one of the windows to turn in our paperwork. The lady asked for a few of our documents, we paid the fee and waited for our interview. During that time Victoria played with blocks at a little table. I used the restroom. It actually smelled like bathroom cleaner from America and had TP too! (Maybe that's what part of the visa fee went for? $400.00 well spent I'll say!)
A nice lady called us to the window for our interview. She spoke English with no accent. She asked us a few questions and continued to process our paperwork. She said we could come back the next day to pick up Victoria's visa or get it that same day between 3:00 and 4:00pm. We opted to go ahead and get it that day and just be done with it.
We had our driver take us to eat and then returned about 3:00 and got Victoria's visa! What a moment of relief for me! The paperwork was COMPLETE and we could hop on a plane and take our girl home!!!!! Not even a little hiccup. And done in one day! Most families take 3 days to complete the medical and visa processing. We chose to try in two days because the embassy was closed on Veteran's Day. This was a great blessing in disguise.
We also me a wonderful Christian man who was having a difficult time getting his wife's visa. He is American, she is Indian and they have a little baby together. Say a prayer that he won't have to wait any longer and can get his family home where they belong as well.
Thank you, Lord, for guiding and directing each and every step of this day!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Our First Few Days with Victoria
What a joy our first few days with Victoria were! We got back to the Jayamahal Palace and changed Victoria into some more comfortable clothing. She had been in a very dressy dress which was not nearly as conducive to cuddling, although super cute! We walked her around the grounds of the hotel and just spent time getting to know each other. She had a few moments of teary eyes that day, but let us comfort her. She instantly became Daddy's girl and, much to my horror, preferred Daddy over Mommy. But God knows what He's doing, because they NEEDED to bond these first few days before Billy headed back to work. She is wrapped around his little finger and he has lost his heart - never to find it again!
We had dinner at the Jayamahal Palace. The owner/manager gave us complimentary wine and mango ice cream for Victoria. The management was so sweet there and very accomodating. They doted all over our princess.
We met one gentleman who was in some sort of management there, (wrote his name down, but can't remember it right now), who had been adopted and was compeletly sold out to God. We had a wonderful conversation with him and it was such a time of encouragement to our spirits.
We gave her a bath that evening and she filled and dumped a cup of water over and over again and had so much fun doing so. I believe it was theraputic for her. Victoria slept great that night and has ever since. She is quite adaptable. Will fall asleep most anywhere. Probably comes from her experiences of having to soothe herself.
The next day, Saturday, we explored Bangalore a bit with Victoria. It is such a big city! Much prettier than Delhi we think, but it stretches on endlessly. We spent more time at the hotel exploring the grounds and visiting with the staff. If we took Victoria to the room, she just wanted to put her "slippers" (shoes) on and go back out.
When happy and relaxed, she chatters endlessly in Telugu. We know a few choice words, but otherwise don't have a clue what she's saying. She understands much of what we say - although often pretends otherwise, especially if it's "no".
We flew out early Sunday morning for Delhi to do the visa processing. We were NOT looking forward to going back to Delhi or doing the visa processing. But we were staying at a nice hotel and knew God had all of the processing covered.
We had dinner at the Jayamahal Palace. The owner/manager gave us complimentary wine and mango ice cream for Victoria. The management was so sweet there and very accomodating. They doted all over our princess.
We met one gentleman who was in some sort of management there, (wrote his name down, but can't remember it right now), who had been adopted and was compeletly sold out to God. We had a wonderful conversation with him and it was such a time of encouragement to our spirits.
We gave her a bath that evening and she filled and dumped a cup of water over and over again and had so much fun doing so. I believe it was theraputic for her. Victoria slept great that night and has ever since. She is quite adaptable. Will fall asleep most anywhere. Probably comes from her experiences of having to soothe herself.
The next day, Saturday, we explored Bangalore a bit with Victoria. It is such a big city! Much prettier than Delhi we think, but it stretches on endlessly. We spent more time at the hotel exploring the grounds and visiting with the staff. If we took Victoria to the room, she just wanted to put her "slippers" (shoes) on and go back out.
When happy and relaxed, she chatters endlessly in Telugu. We know a few choice words, but otherwise don't have a clue what she's saying. She understands much of what we say - although often pretends otherwise, especially if it's "no".
We flew out early Sunday morning for Delhi to do the visa processing. We were NOT looking forward to going back to Delhi or doing the visa processing. But we were staying at a nice hotel and knew God had all of the processing covered.
Picking Up Victoria at VCT
No apologies for not blogging over the past week. I've just been focused on the family. :) But I'll try to catch up a bit. There's simply to much to say, but I can highlight a bit.
Friday morning our driver picked us up from the Jayamahal Palace about 10:15am. It wasn't the driver from VCT because that one was picking kids up from school, so we hired a cab. We had to WAIT 15 minutes for him to get there. Then he couldn't find VCT!!!! We were in the general vicinity, but it took about 45 minutes instead of 25. I thought this was the day when the waiting would end!!!!
We finally arrived and took some pictures outside. We simply walked on in and a lady directed us upstairs. We explored as we went, not knowing where our little girl was. We got to the top floor and walked past some offices and found the director's office. THERE SHE WAS!!!! My beautiful Victoria!!! She was in the director's office with her foster mom and sister. We could tell she recognized us, but was quite shy. We sat down in the chairs and spent some time gently getting to know her. We had a few toys for her which she would take and then walk away with them. (Did not fulfill the intended purpose.) After some time, she got more and more comfortable with us. I was able to hold her on my lap for a bit.
Then she got real comfortable, realized she was the center of everyone's attention, and all personality broke loose! We spent the next hour or so chasing her around the offices and up and down the stairs of VCT. She had a big bag of candy and she handed pieces out to everyone. We took pictures of her and her foster family, talked a lot with her foster sister who speaks good English and spoke with Mary Paul, the director, for a while.
Then VCT served us lunch downstairs. Our first meal with our girl! We weren't sure how the day was supposed to go or when we should leave, etc..... It was very unstructured, but relaxed and we spent a total of about 3 hours there. Mary Paul said we were free to go whenever we wanted. No showing ID, or signing papers or an interview. NOTHING! That had all been done the past 2 years. We were there to simply pick her up! It was weird - for lack of a more creative word.
Victoria said her goodbyes. I gave the foster mom and sister a big hug and we walked her to the vehicle. (One of VCT's drivers this time.) She was so excited and happy to come with us. She waved goodbye from the window of the car and we drove off with our little pumpkin! A few minutes later she was asleep on my lap. Whew! What a day for all of us!
It was very overwhelming in some ways for all of us. We were so excited to finally receive our daughter, but not knowing 'how it would go' or 'how she would do' and realizing the magnitude of what we were doing weighed on us. There were moments of "what are we getting into!!!" But peace overflowing, too. We had expected great things from God in regards to our reunion with Victoria and He so delivered!
Friday morning our driver picked us up from the Jayamahal Palace about 10:15am. It wasn't the driver from VCT because that one was picking kids up from school, so we hired a cab. We had to WAIT 15 minutes for him to get there. Then he couldn't find VCT!!!! We were in the general vicinity, but it took about 45 minutes instead of 25. I thought this was the day when the waiting would end!!!!
We finally arrived and took some pictures outside. We simply walked on in and a lady directed us upstairs. We explored as we went, not knowing where our little girl was. We got to the top floor and walked past some offices and found the director's office. THERE SHE WAS!!!! My beautiful Victoria!!! She was in the director's office with her foster mom and sister. We could tell she recognized us, but was quite shy. We sat down in the chairs and spent some time gently getting to know her. We had a few toys for her which she would take and then walk away with them. (Did not fulfill the intended purpose.) After some time, she got more and more comfortable with us. I was able to hold her on my lap for a bit.
Then she got real comfortable, realized she was the center of everyone's attention, and all personality broke loose! We spent the next hour or so chasing her around the offices and up and down the stairs of VCT. She had a big bag of candy and she handed pieces out to everyone. We took pictures of her and her foster family, talked a lot with her foster sister who speaks good English and spoke with Mary Paul, the director, for a while.
Then VCT served us lunch downstairs. Our first meal with our girl! We weren't sure how the day was supposed to go or when we should leave, etc..... It was very unstructured, but relaxed and we spent a total of about 3 hours there. Mary Paul said we were free to go whenever we wanted. No showing ID, or signing papers or an interview. NOTHING! That had all been done the past 2 years. We were there to simply pick her up! It was weird - for lack of a more creative word.
Victoria said her goodbyes. I gave the foster mom and sister a big hug and we walked her to the vehicle. (One of VCT's drivers this time.) She was so excited and happy to come with us. She waved goodbye from the window of the car and we drove off with our little pumpkin! A few minutes later she was asleep on my lap. Whew! What a day for all of us!
It was very overwhelming in some ways for all of us. We were so excited to finally receive our daughter, but not knowing 'how it would go' or 'how she would do' and realizing the magnitude of what we were doing weighed on us. There were moments of "what are we getting into!!!" But peace overflowing, too. We had expected great things from God in regards to our reunion with Victoria and He so delivered!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Can't Process It All!
My thoughts without any flare ~
Enjoying India - most aspects anyway. Tired of the city. Spent a day out in the country. Saw wild Indian elephants. A monkey stole my orange juice. I laughed at him when it all spilled from the tree. Such beautiful landscape. Missing American food. Missing my boys even more. Can't wait to pick up Victoria. Not looking forward to embassy paperwork in Delhi or the plane ride home. Counting on God to get us through. Want to be at home with the family all settled in. Getting better at eating with my hands. Gleaning many great cultural insights from Tim and Karla. Surreal shopping for saris with Karla. Still waking up at 4:00am. Looking forward to relaxing at the Jayamahal Palace. Praying Victoria will want to go swimming there. Thankful for such an amazing experience in India. Thankful we're feeling healthy and rested. Not much time to blog. ;)
Enjoying India - most aspects anyway. Tired of the city. Spent a day out in the country. Saw wild Indian elephants. A monkey stole my orange juice. I laughed at him when it all spilled from the tree. Such beautiful landscape. Missing American food. Missing my boys even more. Can't wait to pick up Victoria. Not looking forward to embassy paperwork in Delhi or the plane ride home. Counting on God to get us through. Want to be at home with the family all settled in. Getting better at eating with my hands. Gleaning many great cultural insights from Tim and Karla. Surreal shopping for saris with Karla. Still waking up at 4:00am. Looking forward to relaxing at the Jayamahal Palace. Praying Victoria will want to go swimming there. Thankful for such an amazing experience in India. Thankful we're feeling healthy and rested. Not much time to blog. ;)
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