Adoption day consisted of 2 interviews with Chinese Officials. It was formal and the final step in becoming a mother to Annalise. She is very clingy to me and wants to be held and carried all the time. The good thing is she will go to Will to for a short while but wants to come right back to me. This was and has been the only time she has walked for us today and it was a short distance. She has refused to take a bottle and will only eat Cheerios and the other finger foods I brought. I was able to get her to take a few bits of steamed egg as long as there was a Cheerio on top. We Went in search of a Chinese baby bottle to see if that would help and sure enough these silly American bottles with a different shape and size is not going to work at all. The Chinese bottles have a hole in the nipple and all she has to do is bite on it and the liquid comes out she does not need to suck too hard. This did the trick along with a bowl of conche at Lucy’s. She even ate some of the baby prune food for me so I am hoping tomorrow we have blast off. The best comfort for her is the little braids on this doll she wraps the braid between her first and second finger and rubs it under her nose while sucking her thumb. Too cute. I am falling so in love with this little cutie.
PS: For some reason I can not send emails from the Hotel but I can receive them and post and read the blog so thank you all for your wonderful comments and signs of encouragement that she will come around. It brakes my heart to see her so sad.
21 comments:
Congratulations, Paulette! She is beautiful! and it does sound as though she is adjusting well. It will take her time to trust you for sure. I think the first 6 months is the hardest and a real corner will be turned when you have had her as long as the orphanage did. I know that is 2 years, but every day along the way will be better than the one before.
Nancy
She loves her mommy, of course! I know this is hard, but just to let you know...David only remembers his hot wheel track (one single track loop d loop) from when he was two. I'm sure she will have memories of China, but you will be filling her with new cherished memories. Love on her for us!
Linda and David
She is sooooo beautiful....
LOVE the last picture of her with her little doll and sucking her thumb... she will adjust.. looks like she is doing well..
Can't wait for more updates...
When I read about the braids on the doll and the way she rubs it under her nose for comfort I immediately felt huge guilt pains that I totally forgot to tell you something really important about Shenzhen babies...
THEY LOVE WASHCLOTHS WITH FOLDER CORNERS!
We didn't figure this out until day three or four with our Gwen. Other Shenzhen parents can confirm this too. It's because the babies often have nothing in their crib except a clean towel (used as a sheet). The babies get comfort from rubbing the stiff corner of the towel against their nose, lip or corner of their eye. Give Annalise one of the hotel washclothes and see if that helps her self-soothe.
Donna
oopsie! Not "folder" corners... FOLDED corners.
:)
Donna
Well, I slept so good last night after an hour of "Skyping" and seeing a beautiful mother and daughter "bonding in action." Paulette, you are a natural...your arms, lap. and heart were meant to hold this beauty. She can feel that and that's why she's chosen that place as "her" place for now. She'll come around slowly as evidenced by the fact that she finally ate a good deal of real food and took a bottle. You know from your own studies on attachment where she is in her process and she's moving forward...a very good sign for sure. Just a reminder...rests when she rests. Also, Will...you really are a remarkable man. I saw you in action and can only say that everyone on earth needs a friend like you and for now I couldn't be happier that Paulette and Annalise have you with them.
Love,
Mish
I'm loving seeing the pics of you and Annalise. So glad she is eating and you figured out the bottle dilemma. The last picture of her in your arms sucking her thumb is so precious. I can't wait to meet her in person. I loved the comment that Mich wrote you!
Congratulations,
Paulette, Annalise is BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for you. It looks like she is bonding so well to you, that is such a blessing! The picture of her sucking her thumb is priceless!
Kim
When you get home if you don't buy enough Chinese baby bottles the cheap dollar ones at General Dollar store are equivelant. We found Glenys used the Chinese ones too and then home those cheap ones only. We got by on 3 bottles total from family day to 2 years later!!
Beverly
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Annalise will come through her grief and it is a necessary part of the process, letting go of the old and taking hold of the new. You will see her blossom and will rejoice as she smiles, laughs, and grows comfortable with you...and that will happen in time!
Another happy milestone for you girls! I hope that once you are home we can Skype so I can 'see' Annalise in action.
Hugs to all!
Annalise looks precious in her little yellow dress. So glad to hear she is clinging to you and knows you are some that is protect her. Can't wait to see you both again on skype. Love to you, Annalise and Will.
Love, Auntie Chris and Uncle Mark
She is so cute! Bless your hearts! I am a mom in waiting and am sending love and prayers your way!
Michelle
Illinois
Congrats!
She is a cutie. We were at the WS for a few minutes today, but we leave for Guilin tonight. We'll be back on the 25th. Hope all is well. Take care.
-Kate
She is beautiful and you are doing everything right. I loved seeing that room again where you met and seeing her in the curtained room brought back memories of seeing Shania for the first time there. This is such an emotional time full of tears, laughter, joy, and sorrow. I start to tear up remembering it. Be sure to get some sleep and eat. Take it easy and enjoy holding her. She is all that matters now.
Suz from ShenzhenKids
Thanks for sharing your journey. I'm glad to see everyone is lending some reassurance that this phase of the process is normal and for all the comforting words of wisdom and support. Literally, the world is watching as your venture into motherhood begins! And we are all here to support you.
Congratulations Mommy! Remember that a newborn baby will sometimes cry a lot in the beginning too...it is a lot of changes and the little ones don't know how else to communicate their needs. She has already come to trust you and that is wonderful! Take good care of yourself - you're doing great! Can't wait to meet her...
Darlene
P.S. Bryce thinks she is really cute, but now has changed his tune and says he wants a brother instead of a sister. He won't have a say in that one...I contacted another agency today by the way.
So good to see her with you! She will get through this difficult time and you will look back with amazement on how she has changed!!
Safe and happy travels!
(hope you have poop soon:)
Oh Paulete, this is so exciting. We have been away from the computer for almost two weeks, and last night was our first chance to look at your blog. It must have touched me, as all night long my dreams were filled with Annalise and and her dolly. We can't wait to see her. You are doing such a great job of relating your journey and I feel like we're right there with you. Love to you all, Kaaren
Well Here we all are.! All over the world watching this Little Girl come around I had to laugh about the Bottle Nipple they are the same in England,much better God Bless you all
Love Ruth and Marv (watching everyday now )thanks to Auntie Jaqueline Mountain Girl
Well here we are in Tahoe Sunday and Reading all the Messages We all send Kiss and Hugs From Sue Jax Aunt in England Marv has a baby Life vest for the Boat he wants to know can she swim yet?Hello???
Love Ruth God Bless
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