Sunday, January 2, 2011

First Day in Seoul... First Day With Zoe!

We arrived at the Holt Guesthouse (which also houses the Holt Reception Center) about 7AM. We got settled in our room, took showers and crashed. We said we were going to sleep for 1 hour. We slept for 3 hours. We needed it though. We had a little snack and headed down 2 floors to see Zoe.

She was sleeping when we arrived, so we talked with the workers and visited the other babies.

After about 30 minutes, she woke up and we were finally the ones visiting with and holding our girl.

We read books.

We fed each other Baby Puff Snacks.

Played with toys.

And just enjoyed being together.

After playing downstairs in the RC with her for about 2 hours, the workers said "you can take her to your house" (they meant room). They gave us some yogurt and cheese for her and we brought her up to the room and played with all the toys Mommy and Daddy brought. We ate Gerber snacks, goldfish crackers, looked in the mirror, practiced drinking from a sippie-cup and Mommy even shared her water from a real cup with Zoe.

We had a great day with her. At 4:00, they came and got her for her bath. We set out for dinner, sight-seeing and exploring this magical city. We took the subway... which was awesome and we didn't even take 1 wrong exit. We went to Lotte Department Store, which is like 4 stores in 1. Think the BIGGEST mall you've ever been to. It's bigger than that. There were thousands of people. There was a lot, A LOT, of stuff. One minute you're looking at cashmere scarves, the next, you're in a full-sized grocery store picking out your lettuce or kimchi. It was crazy.

We found a cool little place for dinner then went exploring at the Underground Market.

This place was huge. The hallways are LONG: filled with stores, shoppes, and stands: all selling their goods.

We hit the 7-eleven down there too and got some drinks (I'm in Fanta heaven) and headed back to the room. We're pooped. What a great day!

~Paula

P.S. photos added soon. Blogger is acting crazy and poor Michael is already asleep.

15 comments:

  1. I'm loving it! So glad you are too! ;) Keep em coming if you can P! Hugs and lots of love to you all!

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful day! Can't wait to hear more!

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  3. What a great first day! Congrats! I've always wanted to visit Lotte too, but never made it. Enjoy your trip!
    ~Elfkin

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  4. How exciting! I love the stores in Korea. :)

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  5. I can hardly wait to see the pictures! What a great day :-)

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  6. Yea!! Glad you made it safely and met your dolly.

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  7. Glad you made it there safely and I just know you are enjoying her :)

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  8. Soak it up! Sounds like you are. They have great food there. Hope you are enjoying it. The RC is a great place. Looks like you are in the same room we stayed in when we were there. (which I'm sure many others can say) I shared the FB pictures with DH and said Hey I recognize that ugly chair! LOL

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  9. So glad you have been able to visit so much with Zoe. I can't stand it... I want to see pictures! Enjoy!

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  10. I am so thrilled for ya'll! I'm friends with Elissa Wentworth, and she directed me to your blog. We're adopting from Korea as well! We start our homestudy Thursday. It still seems so daunting, but your blog has given me hope! I am quoting you on my blog concerning the process and the order in which things go. I hope you don't mind! :)

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  11. Hi Paula! My heart is full and I am ear-to-ear smiles to read about your safe arrival, Fanta-fix, and most importantly, your meeting with Zoe! Can't wait to see pics! Big hugs and warmest wishes from across the miles. :)

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  12. Hurray! Can't wait to see pictures and hear more! Awesome that you got to spend so much time getting to know Zoe!

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  13. Howdy,
    I saw a comment of yours on the Holt korea forums, in which you recommended the Korea House performance.

    My wife and I are adopting from Holt Korea, and expect to be travelling there in March. Can you share with me how you contacted the Korea House for a cultural performance?

    Thanks
    Kyle C
    email: texkyle-at-gmail-dot-com

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  14. I am so late reading your blog and having the update stories about Zoe,
    she is so cute, and am glad that she met you, a very nice family.
    really can't stand to see your pics with Zoe.
    Hug for Zoe from me, Indonesian :)

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