Day 4 - Kalyn Day

My Lord and Savior is truly AMAZING bringing us this very smart, very cute, and very inquisitive little boy.  We are very blessed!!!  Nothing can wipe Jeremiah and my smiles from our faces and of course the tears from momma.  #feelingblessed - Love,  Daddy

Jeremiah,  Karah,  and Jennah would like to introduce their new baby brother.

Kalyn Micah FuLai Hahn
Born in China on April 25 2013
Born into our hearts on June 3 2013
Born into our family through adoption on Feb 3 2015

We are in love and in awe of God's love for us. Praise be to God!

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We started the day with an amazing 5 star buffet breakfast at our hotel. It was delightful to try chinese cuisine in all fashions. Pastries,  fruits,  salads,  yogurt,  noodle soup (yep mommy again), meat, eggs, and squid (the boys tried this - they thought it was great).

After that we went shopping. In trying to pack light mommy didn't pack a warm coat.  So we bought one.  Clothes are great here with little cost. Yeah bargain deals.  We also bought candies and says for gifts to the orphanage.  Tomorrow we will go back for toys.  These are items that Love Manor requests as donations.  So we would love to do that.

Then we ate at the Hong Kong noodle place and daddy tried a BBQ fried rice. Spicy.  Really spicy.  He loved it. On our way back to hotel we got lost in the mall.... for just a few seconds. Ha! I got nervous because it was one of the most important days not to be late to meet our guide Michael.

When we got back to the hotel or guide was waiting so we packed up to leave to meet Kalyn early.  The drive was about 40 minutes and lovely!  Michael chatted the whole time about Chongqing.  It was great and eased the anxiety for mommy at least. 

We arrived at the Chongqing Civil Affairs Office at 1:45. We were early for our 2:30 appt and that's okay.  Patience.  What is 45 more minutes when we have been waiting over 16 months for this very moment.  No biggie! While we waited for Kalyn to arrive we talked with Michael about international and domestic adoptions in China,  we talked about Michael's rule as our guide and facilitating our adoption process here in Chongqing,  and we talked about traveling and vacationing norms between our two very different cultures.  We had a great time.  In fact,  45 minutes zoomed by quickly.

Then it happened... the moment came.  (Mommy had her finger on the power button of the camera since arriving at the office waiting to record our first video)

Kalyn came walking into the room between his teacher and the Asst. Orphanage Director. He was beautiful,  handsome,  tiny,  & boy were we in love AGAIN!  **We fell in love with Kalyn when we first saw his picture on Jun 3 2013.**

Hesitant at first Kalyn did finally get passed to mommy then to daddy.  He was introduced to jeremiah and in fact we had sent Kalyn a picture book last summer so he proceeded to show us the pictures identifying each one of our family members by mommy, baba, ge ge big sister, or gu gu big brother.  Amazingly smart!

We spent about 30 minutes asking the teacher about Kalyn and his habits,  favorites,  and personality.  This must be so hard on the orphanage staff. They say he was liked by many and is most always happy.  He loves cars and music.  He even dances to our ipad music.  Love it!

So while we were playing with Kalyn the orphanage staff snuck away and Michael said it was time to go.  Really?  We can take our son now?  Oh my. Really? It was such an amazingly awesome feeling to walk outside with your son and know he is yours forever. So cool!  God is so good!

Daddy carried Kalyn to the car and mommy and Jeremiah got to ride with him in the back seat back to the hotel. On our way Michael was teaching us a few phrases so we can communicate.  (During this time Kalyn was observing the traffic and talking about big cars in chinese AMAZING YET AGAIN) We learned some basic words. Really we haven't used then a lot.  We talk to him in English and show him, then he repeats it and does it.  So cool!  We can just see the wheels turning as he tries to learn, just like any other toddler. 

We arrived back at the hotel and daddy went shopping for diapers and baby food.  Daddy came back with diapers and fish flavored baby food. Oops! Kalyn ate it like a champ and also ate lots of other snacks we have for him. He ate really well for us. He hasn't taken his formula bottle yet,  turned his head away from it actually.  We have bottled water with Gatorade mix ins for hydrating.  He likes it.  (Yes the dental hygienist in mommy cringed at giving it to him but he needs the fluids to avoid getting constipated-so worth it) 

The boys got Kalyn giggling and Jeremiah spent a lot of time binding at the window taking about all the cars and eating. 

Kalyn is so smart.  We showed Lai Lai his new shoes next to his brothers shoes. They are identical bright shoes.  Lai Lai sat down and took off his pink shoes and picked up his new shoes wanting us to put them on.  He is still wearing his new bright shoes like big brothers (check out the picture below).  Even sleeping in them.

Lai Lai (his nickname - pernounced lie lie) Kalyn is amazing,  lovely,  smart, talking sentences,  loves cars,  loves to dance to music, loves his big brother,  and is sleeping next to momma right now because he didn't want his crib or his formula bottle.  Wow!

I think Michael (guide) was impressed the boys had Kalyn smiling in less than 5 minutes, that the orphanage had prepared Kalyn so well and that Kalyn could talk in sentences. 

Please pray for bonding especially. Our time in China is critical one on one time with Kalyn so we can get to know him and learn how to communicate with him.

Jeremiah's High: Lai Lai
Jeremiah's Low: I couldn't sleep last night to excited about Kalyn "Lai Lai"

Daddy's High: Getting to meet Kalyn
Daddys Low: My sleep schedule is off

Mommy's High: Hearing Kalyn's voice for the first time.  It is a perfect little sound.
Mommy's Low: I have only been sleeping about five hours a night.  I really need more sleep.

Sending our love and thank you for continuing to pray for our family.

God gave us a beautiful gift today for which we are truly blessed. 

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

Jeremiah trying squid for breakfast

Mommy's new favorite. Rice noodle soup for breakfast

The boys favorite breakfast juice.  Grape

Picture of us in front of the civil affairs office before meeting Kalyn

Another photo before entering the offices

Our first moments meeting Kalyn

Finally in mommy's arms

A new toy car!

Showing Kalyn the picture book we brought from home

First smiles! Amazingly Awesome!

Who is that silly guy? 

Who is all smiles?  

Our first ride in the car together went very well. 

Oh that smile!  Those cheeks!  Love!

Hanging out with big brother talking about BIG cars

Playing peek a boo!

Sporting my new shoes! 

Hugging big brother! 

More peek a boo.  He loves his photo books!  Carrying them everywhere. 

Gotta hug panda too! 

Gobbling up dinner. Daddy didn't realI've he bought fish flavored baby food. Oops! Kalyn loved it! .  

Mommy read the fine print. We all had a good laugh.

Playing with big brother. Brothers forever! 

Daddy playing with Kalyn.  First Moments we will never forget! 

Mommy was making noises with her mouth and Kalyn tried to mimic.  Priceless!

It is surreal to watch Kalyn sleep,  listen to him breathe,  and know that forever he is ours!