[Vicki H]

For all those who have not yet met their child and for those who are just meeting their child.

How did you feel when you first met your child?

[Vicki H]

For me , it wasn't love at first sight, but I knew I would love him.
I think I didn't want to get too close in case something happened with our adoption.
By trip two, I knew this was our child, I still had some issues when I arrived home with my son (PADS), but we couldn't imagine life without Alex now. We love him so much.

[boatsun]

I was ready to take John home right then and there. Leaving him there for two months after we had held him in our arms was one of the most difficult things we have ever done.

[kretzklan]

I chose other because I felt a bit "removed" - we had already lost two referals and I was approaching it from a kind of clinical standpoint. The feelings didn't really play into it in the first few meetings.

[SingleMama2B]

Hi Vicki... Even though I only have one DD, I had to vote for "Love at first sight AND Other". I was soooo full of emotions at the airport.... First, I didn't think that DD had gotten on the plane (summer hosting program), as there wasn't a child that looked like the photo sent to me. Then I was told that the littlest one, dressed for winter (Jul 23rd, and 92F outside) with a crew cut (seriously looked like a little boy), and soooo scared and crying was my DD!!!! I was shocked, sad (for her), worried that she wouldn't like me, was she sick, did they switch children, etc. As soon as she was brought over to me, and I presented her with fresh flowers, introduced myself (and translator explained who I was and that I was nice), and she smiled at me. Then it was off for a VERY long walk to the car (JFK airport... you all know the distance to walk - yuck). We started, and she looked soooo tired and weak.... I picked her up, she threw her arms around my neck, and wouldn't let go, even when we got to the car!!!! Not 10 hours later, she is waking me up (3:30AM) playing with my bangs, and saying in a soft sweet voice.... "MaMa, MaMa, MaMa".... I lost it... tears, and my HEART!!!!

[angelkisses0102]

With DD it was love at first sight...can't explain it but it was.

With DS it was, sadly, that I felt sorry for him...I knew I would eventually love him but it took us both time.

[dlhall]

With my DD it was love at first sight. With my DS it was I hope I can love this child. I was still reeling from having turned down a referral after the first trip to meet the child. I didn't know what to think and was pretty reserved. My doubts and fears didn't go away until after we home with him and now I can say I am head over heels for him!

Liz

[lakimnafite]

I chose both Love at First Site and Other. As you all know, I had two trip 1 visits. With Olya, whom we lost, it was immediately love at first site. We walked in the room and she heard voices and turned her head, gazed into my eyes, and didn't stop looking. They put her in my arms and she reached up and touched my cheek. She was 8 months old, but developmentally more of a 4 month old.

For our current little hopeful, there was so much fear involved. We had released a child the day before which was very painful. We had, of course, the sharp pain of memory of meeting Olya for the first time and then later losing her.

But there was magic - that something 'other' - that I can't share now but will once she is home. I was in awe. I loved her, but with caution.

Even now, I am afraid to care too much. I look at the video with fear of losing her and also noting some attachment flags - does she move away from me too much, was she arching her back there, does she prefer DH over me...? Love, fear, awe, 'other'....

[waitinginnj]

I voted somewhere in between. As I was meeting a two year old and I was trying to be objective. I wanted to make sure that I could say no, if I had to. She was so adorable, but she cried in the caretakers arms for the first 10 minutes. I slowly whispered to her and gently touched her back. I held out my hand to her and she touched it with just the tip of her finger, so gently. I knew then that we would make it. I had a very strict orphanage and a short visit, but I had no doubt that I was moving forward. I certainly felt love for her. But, I was maintaining some caution until court was over.

By our second night together after custody, I knew we would be fine. She sat on my lap and explored my face with her eyes. She touched me with that finger again, and then laid her head on my shoulder and went to sleep. I will never forget the moment that I fell in love with my daughter.

[justmp]

With DD, it was love at first sight.

With DS, I was just in shock. He was much sicker and malnourished looking than he had been on the video. I will be honest, I wasn't even sure we were doing the right thing until the judge finalized the adoption. I didn't have 'real' feelings for him until about 24 hours after we got him, and then I fell madly in love with him!

[drazil65]

For both of us it was love at first sight, he was perfect for our family, healthy, great personality and disposition right from the start. We knew instantly that this was our son and as I had always wanted a son for as long as I could remember, it just felt right.

[Amysue1112]

I checked love at first sight AND other....I mean, I thought she was the most precious thing ever, and I WANTED her to be "the one". But we had just lost the referral we came to Russia to visit THAT MORNING....so as much as I "fell" for Hannah, i was very afraid that we would go back to the hotel, contact the IA doc, and she would say we should not adopt her...so "other" in the fact that I was more reserved with my feelings than I would have been if it weren't for the circumstances.

[votemom]

i know no words to describe how i felt. i knew, in those brief hours, that my life would never be the same. it was one of the most significant moments of my life.

it wasn't exactly love at first sight, i don't think. i just simply knew that it was the most remarkable and divine encounter and it was utterly overwhelming.

my son and i rode in the back seat of the car as our driver/translator drove us the two hour journey to our host home.

we did not speak the entire way. there were just no words.

i will never, EVER forget july 9, 2004.

[RBSVARCHER]

Snatched him up and started kissing his neck and haven't stopped since! Definately love at first sight!

Susan

[sainttj]

We adopted bio brothers. I was smitten with our youngest as soon as I got his referral photo (huge sad blue eyes) and was in love as soon as I held him. It has taken longer with our oldest son. I love him now but it was not immediate, it has taken some time.
Tracie