GOTCHA DAY

We have our son--Levi Xiaolei Cook! Sunday was his "Gotcha Day" where we went to the orphanage to pick him up. Everything went so smoothly! We could not have asked for a better transition. Levi is the sweetest and most well-behaved child! He immediately went to us saying "Ma-Ma" and "Ba-Ba" (for Daddy). The orphanage prepared him well--he knew all of the people in the photo album went sent him a few weeks ago. He pointed to Theo and Ruthie and said "Brother" and "Sister" in Chinese. He also knew Grandma and Grandpa. We sent him a picture of our backyard--he likes the slide. He can't wait to play there.

We call him Xiaolei for now, and he actually understands us when we say his name. He LOVES to sing and talk. He will really enjoy talking to Ruthie! HA! Those two will probably talk non-stop. On the ride back to the hotel, he was fascinated with the many buses and cars on the road. He had been on a bus once when the Nanny took him to the doctor. The bus number he rode on was 973--so EVERY bus he saw, he would yell out in Chinese "973!!". Too cute!

He also LOVES to eat. He ate up the Cheerios I brought for him. Plus, when we were getting our picture taken at the photo shop, he recognized ice cream on a stick across the street at a local vendor and wanted to go. We told him he could have ice cream after dinner. So, at 4:00 in the afternoon, he said he wanted to eat dinner. He figured out if he ate dinner now, he could have ice cream sooner. Boy, will he ever fit into our family well! God truly hand-picked this little boy to be our son. He ate an entire McDonald's hamburger, French Fries, and an entire bottle of water, cookies from the orphanage, Cheerios and ice cream. He was so happy after eating.

Rich and I played with Xiaolei in the hotel room until bedtime. We bought him a bus at the toy store. He loves his bus and the matchbox cars Theo sent for him. He also loves playing with stickers and paper airplanes made by Daddy. Our room has a great view of the city--so Xiaolei stands up on a chair and looks out talking about the cars and buses. He is also ticklish on his tummy and has a great belly laugh! He is truly a very happy and brave little boy. He does not fear us at all. The only thing that frightened his was the escalator. He is just like me--his Mommy and Grandma--we don't like those things either. Daddy "Ba-Ba" held him while on the escalator, and then it was okay.

The orphanage told us that he would go to bed when we told him. Well, it was not quite that simple . (It never is, is it? ha!) He refuses to take off his clothing or shoes. Finally our guide translated for him, and he took off his shoes and climbed into bed. He would not take a bath or take off those clothes. Our guide, Michelle, said this is very common. It will take him a few days to adjust. We may be wearing the same clothes for a few days--ha! :) Shoo-stinky!

We laid down with him, and eventually he went to sleep. No fussing. He tried to get out of bed and when I put him back down he tried to pinch me. I firmly told him,, "No" in English, and he got the message. He stayed in bed laying there smiling at me. He tossed and turned but mostly slept well for his first night. He sucks his first two fingers to settle himself down. It is so sweet. He obeys immediately. He is a good boy. The people at the orphanage said that he really listens to his Nannies and obeys. They kept telling me that he is a good boy. They really loved him and took good care of him at the orphanage.

I posted pictures of Levi Xiaolei.

Thank you for your prayers. God has heard and answered and has helped this little boy to not be as fearful as others. He is truly very brave and very special and sweet!! We are definitely smitten with our little guy. He is just so precious! We are thankful God led us to this sweet child.