Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Day 2 Down



We are through our first 24 hours God is all over this little girl! Bedtime last night was great! She has really taken a liking to Brad. We told her bath last night in Chinese and she went right into the bathroom with him and started to get undressed. She loved the pretty nightgown we had for her. She gave everyone kisses goodnight and hopped into bed! Easy as that! Really! I must say it was something brushing her teeth. I don't think they have seen a toothbrush often, if at all. She allowed me to sleep with her. She slept well and peaceful all night. When she woke up this morning it was early due to her restless little sis. Haddie was pleasant and I tickled and hugged her a bit.

Today was busy. We had a couple of appointments. After the appointments we needed to have lunch. She has made it quite clear that she is okay with mama in the room, but out in public she wants her baba(daddy). I thought I was prepared for the rejection, but let me tell you, it's emotional! It's like carrying this child in your belly for 9 months and out they come and you can't hold them or snuggle them, but you have to watch someone else do it. God keeps reminding me that it is not about me. I am SO thankful that she is having her needs met in her baba. I know my days to love on her fully will come. She does allow me to help her with going to the bathroom and getting dressed, but I seem to have a "role" if that makes sense. The boys have been really sensitive and keep reassuring me that they like me! :
As for Haddie and the boys, GOLDEN! She is crazy about them. She freely smiles, giggles and hugs with them. Grandma is okay with her too. It really just seems to be me she isn't crazy about. LOL! She is very good with Libi, and just tonight beginning to play and open up with her more.

She loves to play babies. She also loves her backpack of things. She makes sure she has it with her everywhere and enjoys taking things in and out of it constantly. (braniff's, how we miss you! Reminds us of Izzy Ting!) Momshe carries her water bottle and it always drinking!

Lunch today taught us somethingwe came back to the room and Haddie was ready for her nap. We were told that she still naps in the afternoon. She got right into bed and napped well. I woke her up and she was scratching at her hand and it was red. Then, she started digging at her neck. Well, I immediately pulled out the Benadryl and looked up the word medicine. She took it like a trooper. Our thought at this point is that she may have an allergy to shellfish. Her symptoms have subsided and hopefully we won't see anymore of that.

Tonight we went to a Chinese like Walmart. It was a lot for Haddie to take in. We misunderstood what we were doing, of course, count on us to do the wrong thing. Anyway, in hindsight, it would have been better not to take her. She was okay, just "shut down". Baba let her choose a toy and bought it. A few minutes later she was saying "Baba" and dragging him by the hand to the Barbies. Needless to say we had to end all purchases at that point. She was good about it. It is just hard to tell her no and not be able to really explain why. We are very thankful for the little bit of Chinese we have learned. It has helped us a lot. It does seem to bother her when I use it often though. I only use it when necessary. This morning at breakfast she picked up her chopsticks and then quickly set them aside when she saw that we had spoons and forks. Not that we wouldn't have used chopsticks, it's just what they bring the crazy American's unless you specifically ask for chopsticks. : It just seems to us that she desires to "fit in" with us however she can.

So... we feel that she has developed amazing coping skills in her little life. We cannot tell you how much we FEEL your prayers over us! Libi was acting a little out of it tonight and I was overcome with fear. I just cried out to Jesus and within a short time she was coming around and doing well. I am confident that in those moments God was raising up people to pray for us. THANK YOU! We love you and continue to covet your prayers.

10 comments:

  1. Oh she is BEAUTIFUL in RED!!! Love the picture of her with Libi! And Amy that picture of the two of you smiling - PRICELESS!!!

    I am SOO glad to hear that Haddie is taken with her daddy! What a picture to her of the protection and love that her heavenly father has for her. Amy, my heart aches for that "rejection" feeling you are going through. You KNOW that i KNOW! You are in for some sweet blessings with each "victory" you have with her! I promise!! Look for them and REJOICE over EVERY little one! :)

    We continue to pray blessings over you all! Love and prayer! - Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey my friends. Thanks for the awesome update. It's almost like being there. We are there in spirit though. Today after homeschool I read the blog to Izzy. She is amazed as the process and keeps saying "that's what we will do when we get our Mei Mei". She is loving Haddie. Loved her bows in her hair today. We just can't wait to meet this sweet girl. Hang in there Mama ~ I'm praying for you. Love her little backpack too. Having a place for the "things" that belong to her is wonderful. Izzy treasured her backpack. Remember she kept all the tags from her clothes and every business card from everywhere we went. LOL. It sounds like she is doing remarkably well. We will keep covering you guys. Praying for Libi as well. His grace is abundant and He gives it so freely. You guys are dwelling in it. It is so beautiful to watch. Much love to all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amy - LOVE the pictures of Haddie today. She is so cute!

    I feel for you and I am listening and learning as we very well may be going through a similar experience. You are a wonderful mama and I am so thankful to call you my friend too!

    I love you. Praying praying praying!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad to hear you had a good first night with her. Love the pics. How precious to see her and Libi holding hands and dancing. She looks like she's ready to be a big sister and join in the ranks as little sister to her 3 new brothers. How cute to see her and Jacob sitting with the laptop together...looked so natural. You'd never know she's keeping you "at bay" when I see the pic of the two of you. She looks so happy to be with her mommy. I will be praying specifically for your bonding today.

    I pray this gives you encouragement..."If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:10-11) Love to all, Mel

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amy,
    I feel your pain in being "the second choice" right now. Ben took to Tom and our host mom and I was along for the ride. It was so hard, especially in Russia. I ached to be the one he wanted and God showed me that at that critical adjustment time I was the one that Ben was the most afraid to love because he so desperately craved a mommy. Its my guess that it is scary to get close to you now because of the fear that you would somehow reject her. It will take time, and it may not happen until she feels safely away from China. I say safely because right now she doesnt feel that far away from her old life. Ben knew that he could always come to me for a piece of bubble gum. I'm guessing that you should be the one to take her back to walmart for a barbie doll. I'm praying!
    Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  6. I stumbled upon your blog. We are going back to China soon for our son who is 4 with cleft. I read your comment on her rejecting you and I read a theory on this recently. The children reject the mothers because in their mind they have a Mommy-their nanny and they do not want to replace her at the moment. Made sense to me as our first daughter rejected me even as an infant and wanted only my husband of course now ALL she wants is Mommy! Hope that helps!!! May God be with you all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the great updates! We're hanging on every picture and can't wait to greet you in the Windy City. Praise the Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey!
    Looks like you guys are doing great! I can't wait to see Haddie!
    She looks SO cute in her pink headband, which is good considering that you've got a billion for her at home. Haha.
    I bought Haddie her build-a-bear the other day. It's pretty cute, I think she'll like it.
    The time on my phone is on your time in China so that I can think about what you guys might be doing. Unfortuantely, every time I look at it, it's like one in the morning. And unless Libi suddenly decided to switch to Illinios time, you guys are asleep.
    Love you guys and give Libi and Haddie a big hug for me!
    ~Tory

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rejoicing in every little victory dear friends!!

    LOVE the pic of you and Haddie, Mrs. Arnold. You ARE her mama and you WILL have precious moments with her. You are at the very beginning of a journey of moments with your sweet daughter. Praying for your heart while you wait on her though. It is so beautiful that she loves her daddy. Just as our Father is our strong fortress, foundation, a strong hand to hold, and a protection she has already found that in her baba. There isn't a sweeter relationship than a girl and her daddy :)

    Love you guys and praying hard!
    Molly

    ReplyDelete
  10. Haddie is so beautiful! Her smile lights up her face. I know that the Lord has great plans for her life! You are following the Lord's call and will be blessed for it. Praying that you and Haddie will have moments of bonding that will carry you through. You are a wonderful momma!

    Sending hugs from Omaha,
    Kari

    ReplyDelete