Introductions - Day 1

This morning we got the train and headed off to meet Raina for the very first time.  Our day started with the introductions planning meeting, where we met with four SW's and the foster carer. This was quite a formal meeting, chaired by the Local Authorities Adoption Team Manager. We discussed the plans for introductions, future contact with birth parents and parental responsibility and it's limitations for us as adoptive parents. Once the plan was set and concerns discussed we left for a lunch break.  We forced ourselves to eat a sandwich and held back the nervous waves of sickness. We made our way to the foster carers house and arrived about half an hour early to be extra sure. Knowing we have to stick to the agreed plan we walked to the local park and walked around there for a while to pass the time. The sun shone brightly and we talked about how tomorrow we would be bringing Raina here with the foster carer. We waited at the end of the street where she lives and waited to meet Raina's SW. She had told us not to wait directly outside and to wait for her. At exactly 1.30pm Raina's SW appeared from the house and waved for us to come in. We walked to the house; we had agreed that Hannah would go in first. Raina's SW was standing in the hall way and saying "who's this Raina?".  Then she was there. She appeared from the lounge and saw us. She smiled a big smile and said "Mummy". Our hearts melted and the SW beamed.  Raina ran back into the lounge and we followed her in. She stood there and smiled then hid behind her hands with shyness. We sat down on the sofa, conscious of not wanting to overwhelm her completely. Every now and again she took her hands away to take a look at her Mummies. We sat down on the floor to get down lower to her level and she hid behind the door. Hannah said "where's Raina gone?" and we all joined in an impromptu game of hide and seek. Every time she popped her head around the door and we all said "there she is", Raina let out squeals of delight. Within minutes she was showing us the Tomy talking photo album and nestling into us.  Raina's SW took loads of photos to capture the most amazing moment of our lives to go in Raina's Life Story Book.   Raina was entertainer; dressing up in Ruth's shoes, scarf and bag, riffling through the bag and applying the Vaseline to her lips!  She slowly built up confidence and came over to touch us. We found ourselves poking her in the belly to see if she was real, which initiated a game of tickling.  Within 10 minutes Raina had gone and found her shoes and was wanting us to put them on her and take her out.  The two hours flew past and by the end we were playing rough and tumble, getting cuddles and blowing raspberries on Raina's belly.   We wanted to stay longer but know how important it is to take it slowly and step by step, so we got our coats and  bags and said goodbye. She waved goodbye and came to the door as we left and waved as we walked down the road.  She also blew kisses to us! We were so emotionally drained by the build up to this first meeting and by how beautiful our new daughter is.  We couldn't have hoped for a better start and somehow now we have to go and get some rest and be ready for a longer day tomorrow.  We are the happiest we have ever been. This day has been truly the most special day of our lives. We can't wait for tomorrow to be here.