Gotcha!

November 8th will forever be known as 'Gotcha Day' in our family! Just 5 days from Savannah's November 3rd special day! We bussed to Hai Duong in the morning, and Rick met with the orphanage director (his office was too small for him to meet with all of us). We then went over to pick up Tanje. Poor Savannah ran right to her as soon as she saw her, as she couldn't wait to give Tanje her new blanket. Unfortunately, she got knocked down by a passerby in the process, and it broke her heart. Didn't take her long to get her chance though, and she proudly was right there as the nanny rapidly dressed Tanje in the diaper and clothes we'd brought her (Theresa, you must recognize the little dress you gave us!). Tanje howled the whole time!

Then, it was off to the Department of Justice, where they didn't like the difference in dates on Rick's old and new passports (he's had to renew to ensure he had the requisite 6 months left for travel), so there were a few anxious moments there. Then, back to Hanoi to apply for a Vietnamese passport to allow travel to Canada. Tanje saved the day by starting to cry - I'm pretty sure she got the whole group bumped nearer to the front of the very long line! Thanks!

It was a really sad and difficult day for Tanje. She either zoned out, or cried, or, mostly, just breathed in those long, sad, hitching breaths one gets after a big cry. Didn't know one could do that for so long. What saved the day? Papa's brilliant idea (yeah, that does happen!): he decided to try to give her some of our spaghetti noodles (we ate in tonight). And guess what? Her face started showing life, and she started making good eye contact with us! And, she chewed happily at half a bowl of them! Best yet, when Savannah got right into her face and smiled (as she's been proudly doing most of the day), Tanje actually momentarily, for a split second, smiled back! Yay, grande soeur!

As I blog this on Tuesday morning, Tanje's been fast asleep in her bed since about 2030 last night (it's now 0625). Wow! Hope the night sleeps continue like that! And hope today's a happier day for her!