I wanted to quickly answer a question that has come up a lot too, yes, absolutely we will continue to post about the boys development and adjustment when we get home. We know so many of you have invested in these boys' lives, financially, emotionally, and through prayers and we want you to see how your love for them has helped. I cannot guarantee lots of posts because as you can imagine it will be crazy for a while but I will blog as often as I can. We also use this blog as a kind of journal and for every adoption we have done we have printed out all the posts and comments and had it bound as a book for our kids to keep with their LifeBooks so we keep things updated anyway.
I did not take any pictures of my visit with Valentin, he was very lethargic and my guess is that it was his first day back on the sedating drugs. Which makes sense because he has been so active the last few day - remember even trying to climb up to stand in his crib yesterday. The other kids in his room were very lethargic too so I imagine they are all on the same cycle of drugs. Valentin had no interest in playing with his ball or any toy I brought. I even tried to show him some cartoon movies on the iPad with no interest. He was in the stroller and I put my hands out to catch the ball, he moved my hands apart about as wide as his shoulders, pointed to the buckle on his stroller and reached his arms out for me. DO NOT tell me that boy is not smart! DO NOT tell me his life is hopeless! Just weeks ago he was scared of just being moved and today he VERY OBVIOUSLY showed me "pick me up mommy". Simply amazing!!!! He kept leaning on me and all he wanted was his back rubbed. So we just sat in silence and I rubbed his back and tried to massage his tight little legs and arms a bit. It was such a calm and sweet time of bonding that I was not about to ruin it by getting the camera out. I just loved my boy and soaked up every minute.
When I went to visit Joey my favorite nanny was there again, how dearly I love this woman! She genuinely cares about the kids and you can see such a difference in the kids on the days she is there verses the day other nannies are there! We exchanged email addresses and she asked me to keep her updated on Joey. Joey was of course so excited to see me again, even hugging me before he went for his backpack of blocks. We spent time with his groupa and then tucked away in the class room to play blocks. The nanny was taking pictures and when I got back to the apartment she had emailed them to me...how sweet!
I took some gummy vitamins for the kids and you would not believe how excited they were. It is so amazing to see these innocent little kids full of pure joy over just a simple gummy vitamin. That is the heart I want to have of the daily gifts and blessing the Lord gives, to see and rejoice over everything He provides!
Usually Joey only wants to take the blocks in and out of the backpack, but today he wanted "mama" to stack them high...
Really high...
He put on his shoes and walked me out to the car
There was a dog near us (there are lots of stray dogs at the orphanage - I would not pet them but they are friendly) and Joey kept saying dog, dog, dog, dog in Russian. He was obviously afraid of it and came to me for protection, so so so amazing that he is bonding and trusting me! Oh God how you bless me and how You answer prayer!
I turned my head and to my surprise Joey was going in for a kiss...what a love!
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let your glory be above all the earth.
-Psalm 57:7-11
Your description of Valentin asking to be picked up brought tears to my eyes. Just wait until they get home; the things they'll both be able to do! Still praying and loving your updates!
ReplyDeleteHolly S