Tomorrow there will be a new member of the Urban family!

Tomorrow will be one of the biggest days in my life. Everything will change for the Urban family.  Little Ritesh will become my son, and I will become his mother.  George and Alicia Urban will have their 13th grandchild! After waiting for a long time, now everything seems to be happening so fast... I had no idea the adoption finalization at the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare would come only 4 days after my arrival in Kathmandu.

We arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday March 17th.  March 18th I went to visit Ritesh in the Children Welfare Home in Lalitpur Nepal for the first time.  I didn't sleep much the night before because of my sense of anticipation and nervousness about how we would react to one another.  What to expect?  Will he be scared, let me hold him quickly feel at ease with me? To my amazement, he held out his arms for me to pick him up within minutes after we were together.  In part because he was put down on the bed and he much prefers to be held, and in part because I think he did feel some kind of connection.  I know he was unsure but he held tight to me.  The director of the orphanage, Maya, told me that it was a very good sign. In fact, I learned today that she has not seen such a quick bonding and comfort with any of the children and their adoptive parents when they first came to the orphanage.  That brings me great comfort that tomorrow when he goes with me after the adoption, he will not be too scared.  It makes me feel more confident that we are a good match, and that our lives have come together for a very good reason.

But, either way, it will be hard for Ritesh to leave his first home.  He is much loved by the women who care for him and the other children.  I was told today that he was nicknamed "Raja" (little king) not because he acts like a little king but because he is one of the favorite children in the house.  They say, "He is such an easy loving baby".

Bill and I have gone together to visit the orphanage for the last three days together.  For the past two days he has played music with the children, in different age groups today which worked much better.  They absolutely loved it.  I have spent some time each day alone with Ritesh and then together with some of the didis (nannies or actually sisters) and the other children. Today Ritesh picked up one of the drums that Bill brought and played on it in rhythm with the others. He was totally into it!

We also delivered all of the wonderful clothing and musical instruments donated, and I went with Maya on a total food and basic supplies shopping spree today which we delivered in the late afternoon.  The kids were most excited about all of the fresh fruit.  Thanks to those of you who made contributions. They were very much needed and appreciated!

I noticed a change today.  Ritesh was much happier with me.  How did this process happen so quickly?  Is it a good sign?  I too experienced a change... the nervousness has started to subside.  I am extremely tired after several days of real intensity emotionally and jetlag, but I am starting to feel more competent, like I can really do this.

I will post again soon, and include some photos when I have time to sit and do it.  With the power outages every night from about 6 pm to 2 am it has been challenging with the internet.  Fortunately, many places have generators.

Good night! Namaste!