Day 1: We Got Aria!

This morning we caught up on our zzz's after a long day of traveling. Our appointment to get Aria at the Child Protection Agency (CPA) was scheduled for 10:00 am. At 9:30 am, our driver was supposed to pick us up at our hotel, so we walked down to the front door. On the way we passed by the room next door and noticed how much better the layout was so we asked at the front desk if we could change rooms. She said yes, but we'd have to pack up our items right away so they could clean our room for the next guest. So back we went up the stairs (there are no elevators in this small boutique hotel), stuffed everything back into a suitcase, moved it all next door and finally headed back downstairs just as Quincy was pulling up to bring us to the CPA.

We arrived right at 10:00 am and walked the familiar path down the sand covered sidewalk area, through the metal gate and up the staircase. We checked in at the front desk and were told we could go on back to the Adoption Department. Ms. Jardine was all-professional waiting at the door for us. She said hello and told us to take a seat. It seemed as though we were much happier to see her than she was to see us. 

We had a couple documents to sign giving us temporary custody of Aria and then Ms. Jardine asked if we had arranged for Jocelyn to bring Aria over. I had told Jocelyn that the CPA wanted her to bring Aria over at 10:00 am today, but Jocelyn was waiting for confirmation from the CPA and since they hadn't contacted her, she never came. Ms. Jardine said instead, we could go to Jocelyn's house and take custody of Aria from there.

Our driver Quincy had a meeting this morning after dropping us off, so we ended up waiting at the CPA for an hour for Quincy to arrive. Finally he arrived and off we went racing through Georgetown all the way to Jocelyn's home. When we pulled up to her home, she was waiting for us on her balcony. She invited us in and there was our sweet girl laying in her pack-n-play. Jocelyn's husband, daughters and grandson were there as well. Everyone was so sad to say goodbye to Aria. We told them we'd be around for a few more weeks and would see them again. Aria has spent 11 months at Joceyln's home and everyone had fallen in love with our little one.

After a quick stop at the grocery store, we were back to our hotel to get settled in. We grabbed a late lunch in the hotel's restaurant and Aria slept the entire time. She was so tired she slept two hours. When she woke up, emotions ran from smiling and giggling to the saddest little face you've ever seen. It's possible her teeth or stomach are bothering her, but from the look on her face, she just seemed so sad that she was no longer with her Foster Family. I'm sure she loves them just as much as they do her.

We are once again having issues feeding her. Every bottle we've tried to give her she's wanted nothing to do with - to the point of being so upset when she even sees the bottle. On a good note, she did willingly eat by spoon an entire jar of bananas. We'll be heading back to the store to load up on more baby food tomorrow but hopefully we can get some liquids in her soon.

Aria is such a different little girl than she was on our last trip. She loves to talk and wiggle. She loves to dance and be bounced around. She's moving both her arms. She's even playing with toys and letting out the cutest squeals of delight. 

She now has 6 teeth (from zero!) She loves cuddles and being carried. She even liked her first tummy time! She is the sweetest little pea.

Our meeting with the Adoption Board is tomorrow at 2:00 EST. We are praying it goes well!