GOTCHA Day one year later

Its hard to believe that it was one year ago today that Carter came into our lives forever. March 25, 2010 around 11:00 AM local Korean time, we were finally able to hold our little boy in our arms knowing we would ALL be going home soon. I still can remember being so scared and excited all at once. Our lives were about to change forever. It had been such a long journey to welcome him to our family, it was really hard to believe it was finally happening. We were about to become parents to the most precious boy ever! We had only meet him for about an hour two days before our 'gotcha day' but he had been in our hearts before we even saw his picture. The picture above is of us, Carter's foster-foster mom and his foster father. They were such loving people, I know it had to have broken their hearts to see him leave. But they also knew he would be well taken care of by us. What a chunk he was huh????

After about an hour or so at the agency we were sent on our way back to our hotel, with tons of gifts for both us and Carter. At the hotel Carter was so tired he took a long nap. After he got up we decided to see what if would feel like to be out as a family. So we got him dressed and went out for a little adventure. He did great!!! Thanks goodness because I'm not sure what we would have done if he was terrified of us. Once we got back to the hotel it was time to start packing and getting ready to leave. We had a very early morning flight which mean we would have to leave the hotel no later the 6 AM!!! It would be less then 24 hours of having Carter and we would be getting on a plane for the next 14 hours. OH MY what were we thinking. But we were very blessed to have such an easy going baby he just went with the flow. I remember he fell asleep even before we took off, what a blessing. He was very good the entire flight and didn't cry once. We were lucky enough to have 3 seats together, having that extra seat was great, it meant that Carter could stretch out and sleep when the time came.

When we arrived in DC my parents were there to bring us home. They were beyond excited to meet their new grandson. We were very happy to have them pick us up and drive us back home. After a little bit of a panic because I couldn't figure out how to get the car seat undone, we were heading back to our house. A few minutes after arriving home to balloons every where John's parents pulled in the driveway. They too were very excited to meet their new grandson.

My parents left the next day, they didn't want to overwhelm Carter with too many new faces at first. One thing you learn during the adoption process is that the babies have a grieving process they go through after leaving the foster parents. Since John's parents were going to be with us for the next 2 weeks helping us adjust, my parents felt it would be best to leave and come back when it wasn't so hectic. Thank goodness for John's parents, they were such a big help while were adjusting to being a family of 3.

I was able to take 12 weeks off of work to be with Carter as he adjusted to his new life. During this time we found out that John was offered a new job that would move us across the country!!!! OMG could things get any crazier? After a lot of talking and crying we decided that he would take the job which meant moving to Seattle, WA. Even though we were very sad to leave our friends in VA we knew this was the right opportunity for John and his career. The good news was we couldn't leave VA until Carter's adoption was finalized. This meant we had the whole summer in VA!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

We finally got word that we could finalize Carter's adoption on September 21, 2010. One day after our 7 year anniversary and 4 days short of our 6 month anniversary of gotcha day. We were now able to move forward with our move across the country. So I gave my 2 weeks notice, called the moving company, made all the arrangement and then packed up and left VA. It was a very sad day but we also knew there would be happiness right around the corner. The day of the finalization we had our parents, both of our brothers and our nieces with us. It was a very special day indeed. FINALLY He was really ours. Well he was always ours but now it was legal and we have the paper to prove it.

The very next day John, the dogs and I got on the road to drive cross country to our new home in Bothell, WA. It took us 4 1/2 days. What a beautiful country we live in. Carter stayed behind with John's parents and my parents were going to fly him out to us. The thought of driving cross country with 2 dogs and a 1 year old did not sound like fun at all. My parents offered to fly him out after we arrived and we quickly took them up on that offer.

We arrived in Bothell, WA on Sunday September 26th, the truck arrived the next day and Carter and my parents arrived on Wednesday. Man we missed him so much, but we were glad that he was able to have some time with both sets of grandparents. My parents stayed about a week and a half to help us get settled in. Boy were they are big help. By the time they left the house was pretty much in order.

The next few months we spent getting acclimated to our new surroundings. John started working in his new office in downtown Seattle and I have been lucky enough to stay home with Carter. I joined a local moms group which has really helped me adjust to my new surroundings. All the women welcomed me with open arms.

We celebrated Carter's first Thanksgiving with my parents, and our good friend Pattie and Jessica. It was a tradition that started with my parents coming to VA the first Thanksgiving we were there and we are very happy that it continues now that we are on the West Coast.

Christmas was great! Carter's first Christmas home. Do you know how difficult it is to find 'Baby's First Christmas' outfits in 18-24 months, pretty difficult let me tell you. But I was able to find something to celebrate this very special holiday. Christmas morning we think Carter was just overwhelmed by the toys under the tree. He just kept saying WOW!!!!! It was a great day!!!!

Half way through February John's parents came to visit for the next month. We had so much fun with them. Carter enjoyed having his Grammie and Papa around. He and Papa chased each other around the kitchen so many times I think there is an indent in the floor now. We also went to Pike's Place Market, the Aquarium, Canada and lots of shopping. It was very sad to have to say goodbye to them after such a fun visit!

And here we are a year later and just as happy as we can be!!!! Carter is the light of our lives! Its so hard to imagine what life was like before him. Today we are so grateful to all the people who were there for us along the journey, from our families to friend to the agency here and in Korea that made it possible for Carter to be home. But mostly we are thankful to his birth mother who knew his home was in a country far away. We love her like she was family even if we don't know who she is.

As I finish this post tonight, I should let you know that we are starting the process again, our application should be in the mail the beginning of next week. As of right now our home study will go to Korea in November. We would like to have a sister for Carter. I don't know much more then that right now. Keep checking back for updates!

XOXOXO,

Paige, John and Carter

Pictures of our first year with Carter!