First meeting

I want to remember every second. It was amazing!!! Better than I ever hoped. I wasn't expecting to meet her so quickly. We had passed the orphanage driving into town yesterday, when I saw it I was sure that was it, so when we pulled up this morning, I recognized it. It had the colorful fence around it that I have seen in other's journeys, the colorful outdoor toys, the swings... It's like my heart would have recognized anywhere that this was an orphanage. We had seen several other children's places (schools, playgrounds?) but they were slightly more modern. We went in, Toni, Marty and I. We could not fit into what I assumed was the director's office. The director, social worker, and Toni had a short discussion, then we were led into another room, at first I assumed to talk before meeting Annie. We walked into a room with small tables, I knew we were about to meet my daughter. Next to the room with the tables, was a decent sized room with a dozen or so children. Before I could single Annie out, a little girl ran up and threw herself at me, yelling, "Mama! Mama!" I picked her up, but I couldn't get a good look at her, but I was sure it was her. I asked Toni, "Is this Annie?" She smiled and said, "Yes." I think I about cried. I was holding my little girl! She wanted me to hold her for the first few minutes. We walked into the next room, I am assuming where the children sleep, because there were toddler sized beds throughout the room as well as dresses and a couch. Someone brought chairs in and Toni said I could sit down with Annie on the couch. (It looked like it might be a pull out bed, maybe for a caregiver?).

I just looked at Annie for a few minutes, but after a bit, I got out some toys for her. She was very excited. One of her caregivers gave her a little purse to play with. It looked like they had opened new toys for them. Most of the children were neatly dressed. Annie had on a cream colored top and a denim skirt with thick cream tights. Very cute! They were slightly large, but I imagine it is difficult to find clothing that fits her length that isn't too large! She is very petite. She has the cutest little hairstyle. Her eyes shine so bright and they are so dark they appear black. She has a smile that can light a room. Her profile describes her as radiant and radiant she is! She repeats words, she names objects, she says sentences. I would say she talks at least as well as Elijah. Toni said she is not nearly as delayed as her profile stated (it is also from earlier in the year, though). She has a favorite caregive that she is an attached to, an elderly gentleman. They brought him in for a few minutes and she cuddled up to him, obviously attached to him and enjoying his attention. She loved getting attention and toys from me. She called her friend in to play with her and the two girls played very nicely with a ball together. They would yell, "Dobka!" and kick or throw the ball around the room. Darling!! The social worker said this other little girl is Annie's close friend. :) She does seem able to attach, but not overly friendly. I did not get out all of the toys. She got a bit overwhelmed and cranky. She kept going back into the room with the other children and showing them her toys, but not wanting them to take them away from her. :) She cried when I left and wrapped her arms around me for a hug. My sweet little girl!! I can't wait to go back and see her this afternoon! And now, my lunch is here, so I am off to eat!!