Happy Gotcha Day --- BAJABS!!!

Happy 4th Gotcha Day, BaJabs!!!

Really, it is unbelievable to see how far this little girl has come!

I spent lots of time going back through all of the pictures from our trip to get BaJabs -- WOW, was it a trip!  

AND

To be honest -- it was one of the hardest things we ever did ---

This trip took place just a month after Matt's dad past away from a hard fought battle with cancer.  The trip was LONG -- 18 days!  There was much information about our little girl that was not given to us.  China made us PROVE that we were H1N1 free - BUT never told us until we arrived in CHINA!  AND yet, they decided we were going to get her sooner --- YIKES!

SO ---

After a grueling 20 hours of traveling we spent 6 hours trying to get a hospital to sign off that we were healthy!  

Finally, after 3 tries and seeing things I wish I never saw, we found one!

We headed to bed -- at 1:00 am!  At 4:30 am we were up and out to get on a speed train to get BaJabs at 9:00am.

We arrived 15 minutes BEFORE her.

AND

Oh, was she scared!

 Our first picture together. SAD!

After tons and tons of paperwork we got back on the speed train and headed back to Beijing to wait for the government to get the VISA and everything ready for us -- (which took 10 days!)

When we got to the train station, she was so scared!!  She had a meltdown that was unbelievable!  I wondered what we were doing!!!!

Finally, after carrying her -- FOREVER, we got on the train.  

I was so tired and she was too!

Matt kept giving her rice crackers and I slept for an hour.

We got back to the hotel at 10:30 at night!  We crashed -- 

Although, she would not let us take any of her clothes off.

Yes, there are layers and layers and layers of clothes. 

AND, we finally got a look at her limb difference.  WHICH was much more than a limb difference.  Thankful that God gave me an awesome doctor friend that researched for us and found some other great doctors in GR for when we returned to the states! 

It really took days to get her to loosen up!  She did not like Matt at all -- UNLESS we were in the hotel room.  So, we stayed there a LOT the first 4 or 5 days.

 Chips and dumplings were her friend :)

FINALLY!!!  Oh, isn't she beautiful?!

On day 8 we visited the Great Wall of China.

BaJabs is the only one of our children that has done this.

 Yes, I had to carry her in a front pack most of the time.  Her disability enabled her to walk short distances only!  She was 28 - 30 pounds.  Unfortunately, I pinched a nerve after day 4 and suffered LOTS on this trip.  

She was finally starting to smile more -- and have some fun.

Day 9 we visited the Olympic Panda's.  

 This was another day where she was NOT happy!  She was mad I could not carry her all of the time.  She HATED Matt -- and was just plain mad!  ALTHOUGH, she did LOVE watching the pandas -- So, we stood here LOTS!

Day 10 we finally had the VISA and we were traveling to Guangzhou, China -- where it would be warm. 

 All of our luggage!

 Her first airplane ride!  Yes, the limb difference was HUGE and her foot was so poorly formed it was so difficult to walk -- BUT she insisted!  Her first ride was not great -- she hated being buckled in!

Day 11 -- Medical day!  The doctor's were baffled!

Yes, this trip was hard and LONG but she really needed this time to be with us ALONE!!!  It took her a long time to trust.  Her life had been difficult!  

BUT finally, after lots of massage, playing together, meeting all her needs -- especially, good food -- she started to trust me!

 She LOVED cuddles -- and actually, still does!

This is one of my favorite pictures!  

 Having some fun!

 She is not overly happy with dad -- BUT letting him hold her was a HUGE step!

The noodle eating champ!

 Oh, I just was falling in love with her!

Hard trip -- oh, well -- I would do it over and over again for her!

 Look at that smile!  This is 13 days after getting her!

 Our flight back to the USA -- I was so nervous that she was going to be like she was the first flight.  I had lots of people praying for us!  AND the first flight was short -- she did great; next flight was 14 1/2 hours, she slept 11 1/2 hours of it.  AND the rest of the time she was smiles!  Thank-you, LORD!

 Again, love that smile!

 The kids were so excited to see us -- BaJabs was NOT happy to see them!  

AND she screamed for 35 of the 60 minute ride home.  I think our children thought we were insane for bringing her home ;)

 The next morning!  They became fast friends.  My Darling just took her under her wings and showed her everything.  She was AMAZINGLY patient with her!

 Precious little girl!

 She LOVED playing with Matt when he came home for lunch.  Finally, warming up to her daddy.

She did not have surgery for 6 months after she was home.  It took months and months for her to be healthy.  Unfortunately, she was malnourished.  Thankfully, all she needed was the amputation and good food.

Now -- I know what many of you are saying, "WOW!!!  That was hard!"

Yep, it was -- but IT WAS WORTH IT!  

AND YES, I would do it again!

With love and attention this little girl is thriving!

She is a smarty pants.  She is SOOOO strong.  She is a cuddler.  

Yep, she is still my picky eater, she still NEEDS mommy, and she still sucks that thumb!

BUT -- she has had 3 surgeries, 3 or 4 different legs, learned to run, ride a bike, swim with only ONE leg, climb, and LOTS more!

AND really -- look at that hair.  When we got her -- the hair was horrible -- brittle and smelly.  It took forever to grow -- and now she has the most beautiful, shinny hair.  She LOVES it!

God surely blessed us 4 years ago.  I'm not so sure I realized it back then, I was just trying to cope until I got home.  But our home would not be what it is today without her.  God knew what we needed AND what she needed.  He planned and picked Matt and I to be her daddy and mommy.

  We are so thankful!