Da Havs

Thursday night we stayed at the Seoul Hilton for our anniversary. We had a great meal at the Il Ponte Italian Restaurant and then watched American tv until midnight. We got up at 8:00 am Friday and took a nice long American shower and went down to our delicious American breakfast! We stopped downstairs at the flower store and got flowers for Mrs. Cho. We caught a cab around 10:20 and figured we would have plenty of time to get to Eastern. Well! Traffic was super backed up (Bokjap Bokjap) and we barely made it there by 11:00. Talk about stressing out! Kudos to our great driver for running a few red lights and driving like a crazy man.

We ran into Eastern expecting them to be waiting or already started but Dr. Kim hadn’t even arrived yet, so we were safe. Not only had Dr. Kim not arrived, but neither had Ryan! So we stood around for a few minutes, signing papers that we officially received him. Then Mrs. Cho breezed in with Ryan on her back. (I just LOVE the podegis.)

We figured Hav’s Mom and SIL would be a little late…but holy cow! (more here later)

Dr. Kim came down and said a few words to everyone, then the foster moms (Mrs. Cho and the FM for a couple from Australia) sat on the chairs holding the babies, while the parents stood on either side of Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim said a very long prayer of which I know nothing that was said (in Korean) and then Mrs. Cho stood up. I think she had a really hard time handing him to me, as Dr. Kim finally said something to her and she handed him over. I was bawling non-stop at this point. I felt so awful taking him from her. She was very sad that he was leaving her.

After everyone left, Mrs. Shin asked us if we were alright, as it was 11:15ish and we were the only ones standing there. We said no problem, our Mom would be here any minute. At 12:15 she finally runs in, traffic was awful for them too! It took them 2 hours to get to Eastern and it normally only takes an hour. They both felt awful as they missed the entire ceremony.

We headed back home to Hyung Nim’s and ate some lunch. We were planning on leaving the house at around 2:30 or 3 for Chongin Imo’s, but didn’t leave until 3:30. We got to Chongin Imo’s and EVERYONE was there. The whole family came up from Jecheon for our Anniversary feast and to meet Ryan. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed at this point…but everyone was wonderful.

After piling into the cars, we headed for the photo session. What progressed was 4 hours of makeup and photos for everyone. It took them forever to get my makeup and hair done, and the result looked pretty good. Ryan was fussy during this time and there wasn’t anything I could do about it, and felt anxiety for the first time in my life. WOW. What a feeling. It was really hard for me to feel happy during all of this. The photographer kept telling me to relax and smile, but how could I when someone else was caring for my NEW son while I was taking stupid pictures? Of course this is how I felt then. This morning I am less upset and can’t wait to see the finished product. I am afraid I will look awful because I was so upset.

After the pictures, we went upstairs for a wonderful feast of sushi and (catered) sweet and sour pork for Hav and I. I feel terrible because we just weren’t hungry. After being so hot and sitting for 4 hours taking pictures, we just wanted to relax at home with Ryan and get to know our son. Everyone was so sweet and helpful, giving us our space and being so good with him. They love him as much as we do. I am so thankful for that. Because it was our anniversary and the ‘birth’ of our new son, we received money as gifts from the family. What a wonderful loving family I married into.

We finally left the restaurant around 10:00 and got home at 11:00. On the way Ryan had his first meltdown of the day. He cried and cried and nothing would help. He cried for Mrs. Cho, Umma Umma. I felt so terrible for him. I was crying right along with him saying I’m sorry, she misses you too. He cried the whole way. We got home and immediately got upstairs, laid him on the bed and wham. He went right to sleep and he slept until 5 am. Okay this is a good thing if you weren’t trying to sleep with him filled with the most intense anxiety you have ever felt in your life. I didn’t get one bit of restful sleep.

Saturday when he woke up he was fine. Smiling at me, playing and talking. We got him changed and fed ( Hav is AWESOME at making bottles!), then he fell back asleep until 6:30ish. Then he got up again for a while. He has alternated sleeping, playing and eating so far today. Atm, he is napping and Hav is reading an EW. It is so wonderful to have Ryan in my life. I am so very very grateful to be Mom to this beautiful happy healthy boy.

As much as we love Korea, we are home sick and ready to leave. We are looking forward to getting into a routine and our new ‘normal’. I imagine Hyung Nim is sick of us and ready to have her house back. Hyun Hong took off to be with friends today, we must be wearing out our welcome!

D