Our First Moments with Sof and Helena

Meeting Sof for the first time

Me working my way into Helena's heart
Greg and Helena at Hope
Me holding Helena at Hope~ She's MINE!!!
Greg with Helena at New Flower Guest house

Blake and Sof in ET after playing a game of soccer together
Blake and Helena

Helena crashed out on flight from Dubai to NY
Helena meeting Lola Reagan and Sof having fun

Sisters playing with blocksSof riding a bike for the first time-That's our boy!!
The gang is all here~ Finally, picture perfect!!
All I can say is PRICELESS!

The whole drive from the New Flower to Hope, where Sof and Helena were, I kept thinking is this really happening. All three of us were nervous, anxious, gitty and overcome with emotion as we pulled up to the gate. From the minute we walked into Hope to see and get Sof and Helena for the first time I could barely breath. But the moment I saw Sof and his beautiful smile, bigger than the sun beaming with happiness calling out "Mom, Dad, brother and running towards us with arms open wide, my heart melted!!! With Sof now by our side we turned to Helena, who was being held by one of the caregivers, sadly she was not quite as enthusiastic to meet us. In fact, she screamed in terror and turned away from us, swinging her arm as if to say, go away. We couldn't help but laugh. Oh, this is how I would remember my first moment with my new daughter, NOT!! By looking at her I knew the way to her heart would be through her stomach, so I asked if I could feed her. Within minutes of me spoon feeding her and blowing kisses she was mine, all mine!!! Happy to say, once Helena was in my arms she would not go to any other. She even took to Greg, once he handed her a lolly pop. Both Sof and Helena were sweeter than we could have ever imagined. Blake once again stepping up, went with Sof downstairs by himself while Greg, Helena and I stayed inside and completed out paperwork.

After wanting and waiting so long to see them and hold them in person all I can say is that it was so amazing and there are no words to describe the joy I felt the first time I held them and kissed their sweet heads. They are both so cute and loving with hearts of gold it is glorious. Getting to know them and their habits, likes, dislikes, ways of communicating their wants was overwhelming the first few days. It was trying to catch up on the years we had lost in an instant.

Helena is just as coy as she appeared in her pictures. A total ham though to those who she lets into her circle. Beyond CUTE!! She loves to play peak a boo and squeal. It almost sounds like she is crying but she is laughing. Cracks us up. She reminds me so much of Caitlin when she was 2. Blake spent most of our time in ET trying to persuade Helena to like him or even to acknowledge him with no luck. She has finally come into bloom now that we have been home for some time. We think from watching her that she must be a little younger than 2 though. She is not potty trained and in many ways is so much like a baby. So my hearts desire to have another baby girl has been answered.

Sof is just as enthusiastic and animated as we gathered from watching him in video with his friends. Over the top!! His smile lights up the sky!!! He is so playful and all boy!! He is attached to Greg at the hip. He is loving and sweet to all, but daddy is the MAN!! The whole way home on the plane he spoke of Texas and how he wanted to learn to swim and ride a bike. He was seriously focused. He is so physically superior to any other kid I know. He is a freak of nature. He learned to ride a bike in 5 minutes and swim in just 2 days. He is already a dare devil on the bike, showing me how he can ride with no hands or feet on the bar. He even has a goose egg on his forehead from diving like a wild man into the pool, too close to the side. Not sure if it was due to a language error or just being an 8 year old boy.

Watching Sof's and Helena's firsts on the travel back home was exhausting and delightful. Sof's face as we rode on the escalator and elevator were so cute. He giggled the whole time. I really mean the whole 36 hour trip!! Helena on the other hand, noting she was sick was miserable. Tired, restless, sick and fussy. Not understanding what the heck was happening and why she had to sit still all the time. She was a trooper as well. But thanks to God's grace she has forgotten and forgiven us for putting her through that.

Now that we have been home a week and are back into the right time zone and swing of things, I can't believe we have only been home a week. The kids have all adjusted so well together. From the moment we got home they were as if they had been together all along. Even acting like siblings and being short with each other. Another blessing, is how well both Sof and Helena took to the dogs. The first 2 days were a little uneasy, but quickly Helena grew to love Nitro, Lola and Price!! So much so she loves to be showered in their wet kisses!! Sof loves the animals too. He even has decided he wants to feed the fish so he can have a pet too!

I am amazed that we have only had them for a week. As I put the kids to bed last night, kissing each one of their precious little heads, I could only feel as if I had been doing it for forever.

God's timing and hands in our lives and our children's is so apparent. I know we would not be here and have all of these little cuties without his love!!!

I am forever, humbled, awed, amazed, grateful for our dream of having our family together a reality.

It is so much sweeter than I ever imagined!!!!!! I only hope I can be the women, mother, wife, friend, daughter and child of God he has created me, blessed me to be!!