Anyong Haseyo Seoul (2)

So... Monday morning came quick and we were ready. Ready for Katy to meet her baby girl! We took a taxi to the agency and arrived about an hour early.

We sat and waited a while then went upstairs and had a buffet of yummy Korean food that the agency made for a bunch of families from the U.S that were adopting. After lunch it was finally time! They took us down to a playroom, and we waited for the foster mom and Gracyn to come in. It was only about a minute of waiting before they came in, the foster mom walked into the room while feeding Gracyn a bottle. Tears instantly filled our eyes, and our hearts were overwhelmed with instant love. Katy was meeting her baby girl. I sat on the couch watching in awe of what was happening around me (and of course took a million pictures). Gracyn instantly was interested in Katy. It was like she knew that she was her mom. The foster mom (who has had Gracyn her whole first year of life) was incredibly brave and emotional telling Katy that she is so relieved to know that Gracyn will have what she deserves, a family full of love. It was quite an emotional hour for all of us, and an hour we would never forget. Here just a few of the many pictures I took-









As we said goodbye the next meeting was scheduled for the foster mom to "give" Gracyn to her forever mommy, Katy. It would be wens. afternoon before we head to the airport to fly back to the U.S. They said their goodbyes and knew that it was not for long :) As you can imagine with all the emotions leading up to this meeting and during this meeting Katy was so relieved and on cloud 999! We had to go out and celebrate, and we did :) We went shopping, and ate a fabulous dinner with another couple who was also adopting and picking up their baby.

So... Wens. finally came. We packed our bags full of souvenirs for our kids, and Katy had to pack a HUGE diaper bag to prepare for a long flight back home with a baby on her lap. A baby that she is not familiar with. She had to think about all the things that she may need to resolve any sort of melt down on the plane. She did a great job. Here are a few of the MANY pictures I took of the day Gracyn became part of the Butler family-





After we said the final goodbye to the foster mom and agency (wow that was emotional! sheesh!), we got into a transport car that took us to the airport. They don't use car seats there so Katy got to hold her like (the picture above) the whole ride. She was the most perfect little passenger. She actually fell asleep on Katy about 2 minutes into the drive, and was asleep the whole ride to the airport (which was about 45 min). Katy just kept kissing her little fuzzy head. You could just see the delight, love, relief, and pure joy of finally being able to bring her baby girl home. A home that is filled with love and fun. A daddy that will melt when he see's her, and two big brothers to play with and get into mischief with :) It was quite a moment to just watch Katy with her baby girl and the journey her and her family have been on. It was worth it! Gracyn, is such a gift from the Lord given to the Butler family. She is perfect in every way and made just right. It was such an honor to be able to be part of this process. That Katy picked me to come with her across the world to pick up her baby girl. I will never forget seeing Katy see Gracyn for the first time, it was perfect. Just perfect. We said goodbye to the city Seoul as we were being transported, and anticipated what the flight home was going to be like with this sweet new being.



Katy giving her a bottle before we boarded



Mommy and her girl did a "quick change" before we boarded, and don't they look cute and happy? Both in their stripes.

So.. we had been on the plane for a while at this point. Gracyn had slept on and off, and Katy would try and rest when she was sleeping. When she wasn't sleeping she was either very happy or very sad crying for her foster mom and foster dad. It was heartbreaking. And then she puked. And that started a process of Katy giving her baby Tylenol, and 2 suppositories (that the airline stewardesses gave to her on the plane). She had a high fever most of the flight which made her also very uncomfortable. It was tough. It was hard on Katy to not know all the ways in which Gracyn feels comforted and loved, and hard to hear her cry out for her foster mom. It was hard on Katy because Gracyn was already feeling out of sorts and now to get sick. And to be sick on a plane with puke everywhere. It was hard on Gracyn too for obvious reasons. But, they did it! Both of them did.

When we landed in LA it was such relief to Katy knowing everything was going to be ok, and soon they would be home. Home for good, no more waiting. We went through customs and immigration without any problems or much of a wait. It was amazing.

And so Katy finally got to introduce Gracyn to the rest of the Butler family. Many friends and family were at the airport waiting with anticipation and excitement. Gracyn has many fans already, and could not be more loved. The Butler family is now officially 5 (instead of 4), and what a journey it has been for them:)
They did it!