GOTCHA!!!!!
It is about 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10th. We are in the city of Nanjing and WE GOT OUR BOY!
How we first met him happened a little bit differently than what we had thought. We left Beijing this morning and caught a two hour flight to Nanjing in the province of Jiangsu. We landed about 11:15 a.m. and had planned to meet our escort, Helen. The plan was for us to go to our hotel and get Matthew around 3:30 p.m. at Children’s Affairs.
After we got our luggage, we then went on to find Helen. It didn’t take long for her to find us first. She told us that Matthew was there at the airport and we could meet him right now. The party that brought Matthew to Nanjing included the Director, who was catching a flight soon after we were scheduled to land.
So while elated, stunned, and completely unprepared we met our son for the first time. He looked great! As you will see from the photos, he was well bundled up. The overalls he is wearing were made by orphanage staff members. Wendy and I got to hold him for a little while and he smiled for us. We were only able to meet for about ten minutes. We also could not take him into custody until the scheduled meeting in the afternoon.
So we checked into our hotel, had a leisurely lunch, and relaxed until it was time to head to Children’s Affairs. Around 3:00 we met Matthew at Children’s Affairs. We had the opportunity to sit down with two of the orphanage staff members and ask them a lot of questions. They were very helpful and provided a lot of great information about Matthew.
While we gathered information and filled out forms, we got to get to know Matthew a little better. So far we know he has a great smile, he is easy going, and he is a sweet little boy. We also learned that his favorite game is “Grab Daddy’s Glasses Off His Face.” When he is successful at this game, he finds it quite amusing.
Like we stated in an earlier post, this has been a long and strange journey. Over the past two years there were many moments we wondered if this day would ever come. Those anxious times became a distant memory once we got to hold him in our arms. He is beautiful and everything we had hoped for.
Abby is handling the attention shift like a champ. She was sad when the orphanage staff wanted our picture with Matthew, but without Abby. Afterward, she whispered in my ear, “Why couldn’t I be in the picture?” I told her the picture was for Matthew’s orphanage and told her it would be the last time she could not be in the picture. She seemed o.k. with that.
Enjoy the pics. More to come.
It is about 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10th. We are in the city of Nanjing and WE GOT OUR BOY!
How we first met him happened a little bit differently than what we had thought. We left Beijing this morning and caught a two hour flight to Nanjing in the province of Jiangsu. We landed about 11:15 a.m. and had planned to meet our escort, Helen. The plan was for us to go to our hotel and get Matthew around 3:30 p.m. at Children’s Affairs.
After we got our luggage, we then went on to find Helen. It didn’t take long for her to find us first. She told us that Matthew was there at the airport and we could meet him right now. The party that brought Matthew to Nanjing included the Director, who was catching a flight soon after we were scheduled to land.
So while elated, stunned, and completely unprepared we met our son for the first time. He looked great! As you will see from the photos, he was well bundled up. The overalls he is wearing were made by orphanage staff members. Wendy and I got to hold him for a little while and he smiled for us. We were only able to meet for about ten minutes. We also could not take him into custody until the scheduled meeting in the afternoon.
So we checked into our hotel, had a leisurely lunch, and relaxed until it was time to head to Children’s Affairs. Around 3:00 we met Matthew at Children’s Affairs. We had the opportunity to sit down with two of the orphanage staff members and ask them a lot of questions. They were very helpful and provided a lot of great information about Matthew.
While we gathered information and filled out forms, we got to get to know Matthew a little better. So far we know he has a great smile, he is easy going, and he is a sweet little boy. We also learned that his favorite game is “Grab Daddy’s Glasses Off His Face.” When he is successful at this game, he finds it quite amusing.
Like we stated in an earlier post, this has been a long and strange journey. Over the past two years there were many moments we wondered if this day would ever come. Those anxious times became a distant memory once we got to hold him in our arms. He is beautiful and everything we had hoped for.
Abby is handling the attention shift like a champ. She was sad when the orphanage staff wanted our picture with Matthew, but without Abby. Afterward, she whispered in my ear, “Why couldn’t I be in the picture?” I told her the picture was for Matthew’s orphanage and told her it would be the last time she could not be in the picture. She seemed o.k. with that.
Enjoy the pics. More to come.
11 comments:
Yayyyy! He's so cute. Congratulations to you all. Can't wait to meet him here at MLC.
Hello Buettners and Grandma S.
Wow, I cannot stop looking at the pictures of our grandson. He is BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks for the call Jeanie. I woke up at 3 a.m. and thought ... maybe they have him. Then we got your call. Uncle Mike called this morning as well as Aunt Margie.
Abby, I miss you soooo much. You will have to tell me all about your trip. What a great birthday present for you...to be in China on your 6th birthday.
Love you all! Safe travels and God bless.
Grandparents Buettner
Such a beautiful boy and beautiful family! I can't wait for Lily to see the pics when she's home from school--so so happy for you all.
Congratulations! I was so eager to get to work this morning --- we have been without internet the last couple days because this was moving weekend to our new home! Matthew looks like a wonderful addition to your family, and we can't wait to meet him. Special birthday wishes to Abby!
Congratulations, Buettner Family! He is ADORABLE. What a lucky boy : ) Love the updates.
HE'S ADORABLE....I cant wait to meet him....
Keep the pictures coming.
Wow, what a beautiful story to tell Matthew when he is older. You have a wonderful family and Abbie gets to see and learn about China too. Congratulations.
Yeah! He is so cute! Congratulations Buettner family! Abby - Lauren hopes you are having a great time and misses you very much.
Kitties came out to say hi to Maddie yesterday.
Can't wait to hear more about Matthew and see more pictures!!
the Underbergs
Hi guys!
He is adorable, I can't wait to meet him! The cats are doing well and they came and said hi to me yesterday. I hope you are all having a fantastic time. We miss you guys and we can't wait to have you all back on 62nd street.
Maddison
I showed my whole class your pictures. They were super excited. A few even clapped. You all look so happy. I couldn't be happier for you!
Sara Koniar
Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Can't wait to hear more.
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