Meeting MeeHyeon

Today was the big day...our first time seeing our beautiful girl in living color.  We were so excited and nervous and scared all at the same time.  Our hotel called a taxi for us at 9:15 AM and we made the short drive to the agency where we were greeted by Mrs. Shin.  Our social worker was out sick today, so Mrs. Shin told us she would be conducting our meeting.  First we delivered all the care packages and donations.  The paperwork was next.  Following these formalites, we headed up to the meeting room/playroom.  We took off our shoes and placed all the gifts down, then took a deep breath and in walked our daughter with her foster mother.   Our daughter, can you believe it?  What a sight to see!

As much as we wanted to just grab her and hold her we tried to keep our distance and let her get used to us.  We all said hello and then MeeHyeon started to cry.  She didn't like this meeting one bit!  So we all sat down and as soon as she was able to sit on her foster mother's lap she was calm and quiet.  Sitting on her foster mother's lap is a favorite activity of hers.  We had the opportunity to ask questions, but at times we were just speechless and just gazed at our girl.  We brought some puffs to use as a bribe and it worked a tiny bit.  We exchanged gifts.  We recieved MeeHyeon's hanbok, a small photo album of her first year, and the teddy bear and blanket we sent her in our first care package.  Her foster mother seemed to like her gifts. 

Through our conversations, we learned a little bit more about MeeHyeon.  We were told that she is a little snuggle bug who loves to hug and kiss.  We also learned that she is very indepenant and is able to stand up for herself with another foster baby who is a few months older than her (the foster family cares for both).  What an amazing woman!   She is a climber, loves stuffed animals and phones, likes to mimic her foster mother's words, can walk very well, has no fear, and is very advanced.  She likes to be carried on the front and have her back patted when she is upset.  She also likes to be carried on the back to go to sleep occasionally.  Her favorite foods are bread, apples, and bananas.  Her nickname is "little peanut". 

After a while, MeeHyeon had had enough of the meeting and began to really cry so Mrs Shin suggested we go for a walk to the park with her and that the foster mother stay back at the agency.  So her foster mother handed MeeHyeon to Robin and we began our walk.  MeeHyeon only cried for a minute and then just snuggled up, buried her head in Robin's shoulder and sorta shut down.  It was very hot and humid out as we walked but was also the best feeling in the world.  I was holding my baby girl!  Once we got to the park Mike was able to hold her and she did the same thing, just buried her head and snuggled.  It was amazing.  A few minutes after we got to the park it started to sprinkle so we headed back to the agency and to the playroom.  We were able to spend another 15 minutes holding and comforting her before the foster mother came back.  When MeeHyeon saw her, she of course began to cry and reached for her.  We quickly packed up our things and the meeting was over.  Amazing how fast an hour and 15 minutes can go! 

What a morning it has been!  We will be meeting Lauren for a second meeting on Thursday and recieving her on Friday on our way to the airport.  And now for the all-important pictures....