Transitions

Ayi = Aunt and Shu Shu = Uncle

What can I say? He is cute - cute - cute. Things seemed a bit better today. He is typically easy-going until we visit a building to take care of the official side of the adoption. We think it reminds him of the orphanage and leaving his foster family. Also, it seems that he is teething. : ( Not a fun time for anyone.

We visited a walmart - too weird. I still couldn't read anything, but it was packed and busy, (That is universal I guess).

I have picked up the phrases, how are you, good morning, excuse me, and thank you.

A few snapshots:

After going for a walk to lull him to sleep, we saw a group of older ladies doing tai chi and then line dancing. lol! It gets better! Baby J, who we have nicknamed Wei J, wanted out of his carrier when he heard the music. When his mommy put his tootsies on the ground, he started to bop around and dance. This little guy seems more and more like his Shu Shu everyday.

After ordering what I thought looked like chicken, and what M-I-L thought looked like beef, we were totally grossed out by the texture of a food that felt like pork skin. (Good thing it cost less than 2 US dollars! - Food is cheap around these parts... surprised? I think not). S-I-L and Hubs seemed to love their noodles, but I was so tired of eating noodles. I had them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner yesterday! Wild huh? After dinner we found a haagen-Dazs! My dessert cost more than my dinner, and I ate more of it too. We didn't have the camera, but Baby J made the best faces! With S-I-L's permission, I gave Baby J a small bite of ice cream. He laughed and grinned, so happy with the new taste. This continued each time I gave him a bite. So fun!

I spend most moments watching S-I-L love on Wei J. She is being so loving and patient with his hurting heart. I think this is so amazing to watch. She's been waiting for him for so long, and yet she is doing so well despite his tears. He was with his foster family for one year. We knew there was the chance he would live with a family, but we were pretty sure that he was still in the orphanage. All of the families here are experiencing similar situations. Most people have a romanticised concept of adoption - I know I did. The children have major difficulties leaving their orphanage or foster family. It's the only life they've known. Within these challenges lies the true beauty of adoption. People who open their hearts to orphans are not doing so for personal gain. They are choosing to lay down their lives to meet the needs of one of God's little ones - no matter the cost. I watch with wonder as I see S-I-L's patience and love with a baby who is not yet ready to fully reflect that love. Can't wait to see the day he does.

Every moment of bonding is a celebration. We clap our hands, make "bbbbbb" noises with his lips, look at the baby in the mirror, and echo his cooing. Shu Shu and I are trying to maintain a respectful distance - he needs to bond with mommy first. At the same time, we want to offer support and entertainment for Wei J when needed.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging letters. We still have a little more than one week to go. I hope that by this time next week our nephew will be inseparable from his mommy.