The view from the N Seoul Tower
Laura navigates the market
Unforgettable, our day.
At 9:30am, after a lovely breakfast buffet (nearly as good as the ones we've had in Vegas, I might add) at the Renaissance Hotel, Chip and I walked to the SWS office in a state of nervous excitement (=nausea). We headed to the 7th floor and met our social worker there, who loaded us into a mini van and told us we'd have a 30 minute drive to meet our baby at his foster family's apartment. After about 7 minutes, we were there. (Note: as some of you may recall, this is precisely what happened to us when we met our girls in China. We were told to prepare for a 30 minute drive, and we got there in minutes. The second time around didn't make it any easier. I still felt like vomiting.)
The foster family lives in a large apartment building that is clean and bright and surrounded by tennis courts and playground equipment. We took the elevator up to room #908, and before we knew it, the social worker had knocked on the door and Mrs. Kim (the foster mother) had opened it, with Owen strapped to her back. All we saw at first was his head of profuse peach fuzz, but then he lifted up his precious face -- and it was him, the baby we have stared and stared at in the photos. I started to cry, but my tears lasted only seconds, because then we were ushered into the apartment, removed our shoes as is local custom, and were seated on the floor in one of the apartment's three small rooms. Owen was set in front of us. We didn't know what to do (hug him? kiss him? etc.), so Chip rubbed his back and I rubbed his little foot. It seemed like the right thing to do as we didn't want to scare him.
He is such a happy, mild-mannered, curious baby! No stranger anxiety at all, thankfully. He had this smile on his face while he checked out Chip and me; he was definitely interested in us, and he listened to our English words with a look that seemed to indicate he was giving us a chance. We offered him a rattle we brought, and he loved it. No teeth in that little mouth yet, but with the drool and the chewing on everything in sight (he especially wanted our cameras), Chip announced that a tooth would soon be on its way. (No matter where we are in the world, it's always about teeth...)
We feasted our eyes on our baby and talked to Mrs. Kim through our social worker, who told us about his eating and sleeping (and pooping) schedules. I couldn't get enough. It was incredible to see where he has lived for so long, and meet the woman who has loved and cared for him. She even passed on to us a photo album of pictures she has taken of him over the months, which is invaluable to us.
Owen is a healthy, robust baby who apparently weighs 22 pounds. Like in China, the Koreans dress babies in layer after layer, so I'm not sure what was clothing and what was actually him! Mrs. Kim did take off his socks at one point, and there were his fat little toes that I wanted to kiss right then and there, but I managed to contain myself.
So. the great news is that we get to have Owen forever on Thursday at 3pm! We will meet Mrs. Kim and our social worker at SWS and the "hand-off" will occur. Like this entire experience, we have no idea what to expect but are going into it with an open mind and high hopes. We are ecstatic that we will have him to ourselves in our hotel room for two nights before leaving on Saturday to come home. This is a real gift for us in the bonding and attaching process.
After an hour at the apartment, it was time for Owen to have a nap, so we said our thanks and quietly left. It was a glorious, glorious experience.
We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves afterward, so we ended up taking the subway (which, incidentally, is the cleanest and nicest mode of public transportation I have ever ridden) up to N Seoul Tower, which is a tall structure similar to the Seattle Space Needle, that overlooks Seoul from high atop a mountain. We took a cable car up the mountain, and then took an elevator to the top of the tower. It was exhilirating to look down on this gorgeous city and see buildings, hills and mountains (and great fall foliage just reaching its peak) for miles and miles.
Afterward, we walked through a crazy mishmash of tiny streets known as the Naemendong Market, which is where locals go to buy everything from Q-tips to octopus tentacles to roasted chestnuts to pajamas. Spectacular spectacular!
Dinner was Italian for us (there are Italian restaurants everywhere here), followed by ice cream at Cold Stone (yes, there are Cold Stones everywhere here, too). We're exhausted and will soon be fast asleep in bed after a long and satisfying day. Tomorrow, we will be taking a day trip to the Demilitarized Zone between N. and S. Korea, which sounds fabulous.
Thanks as always for your great love and support during this exciting time. Love to all!
At 9:30am, after a lovely breakfast buffet (nearly as good as the ones we've had in Vegas, I might add) at the Renaissance Hotel, Chip and I walked to the SWS office in a state of nervous excitement (=nausea). We headed to the 7th floor and met our social worker there, who loaded us into a mini van and told us we'd have a 30 minute drive to meet our baby at his foster family's apartment. After about 7 minutes, we were there. (Note: as some of you may recall, this is precisely what happened to us when we met our girls in China. We were told to prepare for a 30 minute drive, and we got there in minutes. The second time around didn't make it any easier. I still felt like vomiting.)
The foster family lives in a large apartment building that is clean and bright and surrounded by tennis courts and playground equipment. We took the elevator up to room #908, and before we knew it, the social worker had knocked on the door and Mrs. Kim (the foster mother) had opened it, with Owen strapped to her back. All we saw at first was his head of profuse peach fuzz, but then he lifted up his precious face -- and it was him, the baby we have stared and stared at in the photos. I started to cry, but my tears lasted only seconds, because then we were ushered into the apartment, removed our shoes as is local custom, and were seated on the floor in one of the apartment's three small rooms. Owen was set in front of us. We didn't know what to do (hug him? kiss him? etc.), so Chip rubbed his back and I rubbed his little foot. It seemed like the right thing to do as we didn't want to scare him.
He is such a happy, mild-mannered, curious baby! No stranger anxiety at all, thankfully. He had this smile on his face while he checked out Chip and me; he was definitely interested in us, and he listened to our English words with a look that seemed to indicate he was giving us a chance. We offered him a rattle we brought, and he loved it. No teeth in that little mouth yet, but with the drool and the chewing on everything in sight (he especially wanted our cameras), Chip announced that a tooth would soon be on its way. (No matter where we are in the world, it's always about teeth...)
We feasted our eyes on our baby and talked to Mrs. Kim through our social worker, who told us about his eating and sleeping (and pooping) schedules. I couldn't get enough. It was incredible to see where he has lived for so long, and meet the woman who has loved and cared for him. She even passed on to us a photo album of pictures she has taken of him over the months, which is invaluable to us.
Owen is a healthy, robust baby who apparently weighs 22 pounds. Like in China, the Koreans dress babies in layer after layer, so I'm not sure what was clothing and what was actually him! Mrs. Kim did take off his socks at one point, and there were his fat little toes that I wanted to kiss right then and there, but I managed to contain myself.
So. the great news is that we get to have Owen forever on Thursday at 3pm! We will meet Mrs. Kim and our social worker at SWS and the "hand-off" will occur. Like this entire experience, we have no idea what to expect but are going into it with an open mind and high hopes. We are ecstatic that we will have him to ourselves in our hotel room for two nights before leaving on Saturday to come home. This is a real gift for us in the bonding and attaching process.
After an hour at the apartment, it was time for Owen to have a nap, so we said our thanks and quietly left. It was a glorious, glorious experience.
We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves afterward, so we ended up taking the subway (which, incidentally, is the cleanest and nicest mode of public transportation I have ever ridden) up to N Seoul Tower, which is a tall structure similar to the Seattle Space Needle, that overlooks Seoul from high atop a mountain. We took a cable car up the mountain, and then took an elevator to the top of the tower. It was exhilirating to look down on this gorgeous city and see buildings, hills and mountains (and great fall foliage just reaching its peak) for miles and miles.
Afterward, we walked through a crazy mishmash of tiny streets known as the Naemendong Market, which is where locals go to buy everything from Q-tips to octopus tentacles to roasted chestnuts to pajamas. Spectacular spectacular!
Dinner was Italian for us (there are Italian restaurants everywhere here), followed by ice cream at Cold Stone (yes, there are Cold Stones everywhere here, too). We're exhausted and will soon be fast asleep in bed after a long and satisfying day. Tomorrow, we will be taking a day trip to the Demilitarized Zone between N. and S. Korea, which sounds fabulous.
Thanks as always for your great love and support during this exciting time. Love to all!
6 comments:
Wow! I have tears in my eyes reading your update and seeing the three of you in pictures! Amazing! What a beautiful boy and what a journey to see your son! I'll take those 12 month clothes off your hands and I'm going to start buying you size 3 or something! Thank you for the awesome updates; they make my day!
Margaret
Amazing!!! I am so excited to hear that you've had your first Owen vist. It looks like, from your pictures, that he was checking you out as much as you were eying him. What a beautiful experience for all of you. Sending all my love, - B xoxoxo
Chip and Laura!
I am in a puddle of tears! I am so happy(not even close to the right word!) for you guys! He is absolutely beautiful! What an amazing journey you are on! We miss you and can't wait to see you and meet Mr. Owen Daniel Bird (a.k.a. "ODB").
We love you guys!
The Stacey's
We are so happy for you! It all sounds very familiar and its been incredible to relive it through your experience. Not sure I can return to work now. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
The Theados
Hey guys,
Thanks for the pics!! What a beautiful, well cared for baby. We can't wait to see Owen in person. What an awesome journey you have shared with all of us, it's as though we are there with you as you welcome and love your new baby. Though a trite saying-priceless (truly). Love, Steve and Kate
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey. We remember with you Laura that -moments- before - butterflies- in- the- tummy- feeling! Owen is beautiful!
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