We had little time to contemplate our meeting prior to it happening. Very much a whirlwind week spilling into the weekend we traveled. We got up that morning at about 6 a.m. Our flight left a bit after 8 and we arrived at our destination somewhere around 10:00ish a.m. We were so pleased that we could actually check into our hotel room prior to the typical 3:00 p.m. So up we went to room 219 and settled in a bit. I had called Lori as soon as we arrived and she was on her way to meet us. After unpacking a couple of items and surfing the TV channels in the luxurious Comfort Suites Lori called and she was downstairs!
Blake and I were both very casual donning jeans, t-shirts and Puma track jackets...with matching Puma shoes as well (of course). For those of you who do not know my husband has an affinity for tennis shoes that surely couldn't be rivaled by anyone. He has every color imaginable and the shoes must match the outfit (and the brand of jacket being worn if there is one).
When we walked out of the elevator Lori's first words were "You're so pretty!"
Very affirming. Everyone likes to be complimented but it seems even more important coming from the person who is potentially entrusting you to parent their unborn baby.
We had already decided that we would go eat lunch and then go to the Zoo. It was a brisk Fall day and all of the leaves on the trees were BEAUTIFUL. They really have a separate season there. It was incredible. This was not the best example of the changing trees but the best photo I got of it.
We went to one of her favorite burger joints. A fun little spot where they have cork ceiling tiles and it is customary for the patron to shoot toothpicks at the ceiling through straws...I am proud to say I am now an expert at this straw toothpick shooting. I cannot help but wonder if anyone has ever accidentally allowed a toothpick to drop through the straw into their throat choking them. Probably not or they surely wouldn't encourage this any longer.
Then it was off to the zoo where we got to see Polar
and Panda Bears! 
It was this particular Polar Bear's birthday. They sang happy birthday to him and gave him a giant what I must assume was a very tough plastic barrel to play with. He was afraid of it the the two younger (but not smaller) bears were having a grand old time with it! We also got to see the sea lions perform. The lady presenting explained how they had trained them "using operant conditioning". He-he...How do you prompt a sea lion to toss a frisbee with his mouth?? I only know how to teach kids...
I gave her the charm bracelet and everyone but Blake cried. She is quite a spectacular young lady. We even got to see the house where she grew up (the outside) and took pictures for the baby to see later in life.
Every once in a while Lori would ask a question about did we have this or that item for the baby yet, or had we decorated the nursery. I finally had to tell her that most adoptive couples are discouraged from completely preparing their baby room until after the baby arrives in case the adoption plan is not carried out. She said "I am going to do everything in my power to make sure you get my baby."
Now of course we (by we I mostly mean me) over analyze everything when it comes to this adoption. That just sounded ominous. There are certain things you just don't want to ask on the spot. I am not sure if it is out of respect for her and whatever semblance of privacy she has in all of this or fear of the unknown. I tried to delve a little further but didn't get very far. After talking with our adoption consultant we think it is just her coming to terms with the fact that if the birth father did come forward he does have a say in what happens. As of now he has not contacted her any further and the lawyer believes that the best way to proceed is not to contact him. The longer he goes without any contact because he is aware of the pregnancy the better our (and Lori's) case would be. It is considered abandonment.
The second day we were there she asked, "Now that y'all have met me do you still want my baby?" Of course!!!! We think she is great! All in all it was a very successful visit. It was too short and we are very excited to have her coming for Thanksgiving. We are trying to decide what to take her to do while she is here besides eating turkey. She is arriving on Wednesday and leaving on Saturday. We will be giving thanks with Blake's family on Thursday and mine on Friday. We are contemplating taking her to a Stars game since that is such a big part of what we enjoy doing. She also wants to try the Texas version of Mexican food (although she says the baby usually won't let her have it...it makes her nauseous).
If you guys have any brilliant ideas for what to do while she is in town pass the info along!
