Wyatt

First, I have to start this by saying that I never would have picked Wyatt from a stack of profiles but I am so glad God picked me to be his Mom. I started to fall in love with him when I first saw his pictures in January but the moment I got my first hug from him I knew it we were meant to be a family. He is wonderfully created and made. He has a contagious laugh and makes a lot of different faces.

My plan was to blog each day but that went out the door with the stomach bug I got. I got to hug a foreign toilet and will remember to bring more gluten free food next time. The week was more emotionally draining than I had imagined but so filled with joy.

Facts about Wyatt:

• He is very light and around 40 inches tall around a size 2/3 toddlers size in clothing and size 9 toddlers in shoes
• He is on no medications
• He eats a smooth puree. They gave him a cookie and he didn't get the concept of chewing. 
• He tripped and bit his lip and cried and looked for comfort from a lady that was an employee. That is a huge!
• Once a year they get new clothes and they received them while we were there. The staff were very excited and were showing me a couple of the things for Wyatt.
• We were told he would not play with toys, but we did get him too start.
• We were able to feed him 2 meals a day most of the week. They give a thick soup, entrée and dessert.
• We got to go to the city centre to get Wyatt's picture taken for his immigration forms. We also went for a walk and to the park. Wyatt loves the swing! I guess we will have to put one up in our yard.
• He loves to be tickled.
• He loves to laugh.
• He will need dental work done and to have his thyroid tested. Other than that he seems very healthy.
• We got to spend time with some of the other children in the home and one girl in particular is very sweet. I hope she finds a family to love her.
• He loves to walk up and down the stairs.
• He loves to make his presence know- he will make sure those around him notice him if he wants attention.

Wyatt is amazing and I am so thankful he will be my son. My loved, my long for son who I have dreamed about and prayed for.

 

July 14th!

Today at around 10:20 I met Wyatt for the first time!

We arrived in "Y" around 9:30 and they let us into our hotel room (man is it a blast from the past).We got a couple things ready and then met our translator and soon after was off to meet him. We drove for 5 minutes and then we pulled up to a gate and behind it is a new building. One of the ladies who seems to be in charge and was expecting us came to great us. She welcomes us in and as you walked into the building there is a main room ahead and that is where the children were. I scanned the room and could not see him. It turned out he was sleeping on the chair and so we couldn't see him over the back of it. They woke him up and put him on his feet and directed him to us. He came to me and let me pick him up. He gave the firmest, biggest hug and didn't let go. The waterworks started for Andrea and I. He is perfectly and wonderful made. He is cuter than the pictures too!

He is usually quiet and just sits there but he was vocal for us and let us know what he wanted. The translator said that at one point he was repeating "hello" and "why". He did even play with some toys which he doesn't do and so I see so much potential.


We sat on the porch, learned a bit about him and then went inside and played with some of the other children as well. I got to feed him lunch and watch him get ready for his nap. They showed me his bedroom and told me he loves showers. He shares a bedroom with one other child and he is in a bed. The EU has funded this home and it is nice. There is no comparison to where he was until recently. it is night and day.

He was suppose to start a going to a program today where he will receive physio and speech therapies. He will start next Monday since we are here this week and I am excited to see what they will be able to help him with.

He did get overwhelmed at the end of the visit and during the earlier one- I think the stimulation was more than he is used too. We ended our visit tonight as I felt he was done.

I am not sure how I will be able to say good bye Friday the good thing is that he is being cared for now and the next time I see him in the late fall/winter I will bring him home forever!

My heart is full but I am emotionally drained.
Thank you for your prayers and support. I cannot wait for you to all meet Wyatt oneday as he is pretty amazing.

Meet My Future Son

I met my future son today!

We arrived at our hotel got some things together and left for the centre where he now lives. What a change from his previous life at the institution in a neighboring city. We drove up and it is a new building and so nice.

You walk in through the gate and into a shoe room and then into the main room and there were children and youth all sitting around (10ish) and I scanned but could not see Wyatt. He was sleeping on a chair in front of where I was standing and he's tiny so I couldn't see his head over the back of the chair.

One of the staff woke him up and stood him up and he came to me and let me pick him up and hugged me so tight. The water works started for Andrea and I. He's more cuter than I imagined!  He's gonna be a charmer. 


He did get overwhelmed at one point and I just held his hands so he would stop pulling my hair.


He is taller than I expected (40 Inches). And he has narrow feet (size 8).  He fits size 12 months paints and around a size 2 shirt.


I got to feed him his lunch and watch them get him ready for bed. He eats puree with minimal chunks and can't really chew it seems- they gave him a bit of a cookie and he wasn't sure what to do with it.  

The facility is build and run by the UN- it is new. He shares a room with one person. He has a twin bed, desk and cabinet for his clothing.


He was suppose to start a new program today -like special needs school with physio and speech. Because we are here he will start next week!

The staff seem very nice.

There are an array of needs in his home from 1 girl who is very smart and she is there because of her CP- very minor. She is 11 and would love a family. She stole my heart.


He sleeps 9-730
8-830 eats

"Hello and Why" he was saying!!

It's Here!

Tomorrow is the day that I have been waiting for...the day where I get to meet Wyatt!!!

Although, I have been in Bulgaria since Thursday it doesn't feel that tomorrow is one of the biggest days of my life so far. I am meeting the little 6 year old who will become my son. I will get to spend 5 days loving him and getting to know things about him and then I will leave him at the Center for 5-6 months before I get to bring him home forever.

My prayer is that we will be able to bond and that I would know without a doubt that he is the one who is meant to be my son. That I would ask the right questions and be able to remember what is said.

Black Sea

We flew into Sofia and went to Burgas for the weekend. The Black Sea is beautiful but oh boy I am not cut out for European beaches. This conservative Canadian prefers Sproat Lake or Rathtrevor any day.

Bulgaria

I have been in Bulgaria for over 24 hours!

We spent 5 nights in London seeing the sights and finding out where are the best places to find inexpensive gluten free meals. It was a busy 4 days but a great time. It was Andrea's dream and I have come to have a deeper appreciation for the history of the Royal Family. We were up at 3:30am and flew out at 9:00 for Bulgaria yesterday.

We arrived in Sofia and the translator picked us up. Well Andrea went with him and I took a taxi with the rest of the luggage ( we brought to much for their tiny cars here). The taxi dropped me off at the side of the road by the agency office and I waited with 3 suitcases for the translator and Andrea to arrive. We left 3 of our bags at the office and then went to our hotel to check in. We stayed at Sofia Place Hotel which is at the heart of the city. Driving by you would have no idea that there was a hotel there and that it would be nice.
The translator brought us to get our lev's out and then we relaxed by watching the Calgary Stampede in our hotel room after going to a local store to grab some supper. At 7:15pm the founders of my Bulgarian Agency came to bring us out for supper (a surprise for us-good thing I had a small first supper). It was nice meeting them and seeing how they desire to grow their agency and have more Canadians adopt through their agency. They seem to have the interest of the children in mind and they were telling me about a 3 year old girl with DS who needs a family....any takers?!?!?

Today Andrea and I took a 7 hour bus ride from Sofia to Burgas. We are staying at the Fors Family Hotel and then Monday we take the bus to Yambol to meet Wyatt!

Layover in London!

All our luggage that made its way to Bulgaria. Donations, gifts and our belongings.