Last night was rough. Scott tried to get Jyla to sleep so that he could shower...but she wouldn't let him put her in her crib. (surprise surprise =)) Finally my poor husband couldn't take it any longer...he had been holding her constantly since his shower the night before....So I held kicking, screaming, yelling, Jyla while Scott took a 5 minute shower. He felt like a new man...He really needed that small break. (I was afraid Jyla was going to hate me...cause I was holding her & she was SO angry!....but she doesn't seem to be holding it against me today. =) ptl!
So last night, Jyla wouldn't sleep unless she was on top of Scott's chest...& even then she woke up crying throughout the night. Also she doesn't like it if she can't see Scott...so we had to have a light on above our bed. Finally she fell asleep on him....& I fell asleep....& around midnight i woke up smelling something that smelled like it was burning. It was a very strong smell...I got up & checked everything in our room...couldn't find anything...then I went to the adjoining room where my mom & Addalie were sleeping & it was REALLY strong!! Scott told me to go down & tell the front desk. I was a bit scared. Someone from maintenance came up & told me that smell was perhaps coming from outside & that they could "spray" our room to make it smell better. of course, I didn't care about it smelling better....just about our safety...(& let me tell you..being in a Chinese hotel in the middle of the night smelling something that is burning....is a bit unsettling!) But I prayed for safety & eventually feel asleep trusting that God would take care of us. About 2 hours later we woke up to a horrendous storm. lightening, thunder, hail......it sounded like it was super close....again we all fell back asleep & slept till 7ish (w/ jyla crying on & off about 10 times.)
BUT, this is kinda a typically night for us right now. =) & somehow God is strengthening us...we all feel pretty good.
This morning we went to the White Swan Hotel for the buffet breakfast. The White Swan is the hotel where most of the adoptive families stay. (We are staying at The Victory Hotel because we realized that we can save over $1,000 by staying here....But the White Swan is so interesting!! It is huge & beautiful & it just oozes w/families who are here for adoptions! (every adoption that happens in China has to come here before they go home because the US Consulate is here.)
An amazing thing that happened yesterday afternoon was that I went to give Jyla a kiss (carefully of course =)) & she puckered up her lips & made a sound w/her lips like she was kissing me!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHH! Now it is our thing!! She gives me lots & lots & lots of kisses (while she is safe in daddy's arms!)
During bfast, Jyla got down from Scott's lap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is monumental!! There is a river right at the White Swan & while we were eating we could look out & see the boats go by. Jyla loved this & walked over to the window! Scott loved being able to stretch!!! Then she walked around & up the steps etc. AMAZING!!! HUGE progress. Of course, she wanted to go right back to Scott.....but it was a small step towards her trusting us & feeling comfortable. She is S L O W L Y letting her guard down. PTL!!!!
Right now Jyla is taking her morning nap (on top of Scott). Addalie & gma Jane are playing w/playdough.
Pictures from this AM:
1. Jyla's wink.
2. dragon fruit. (scott loves it!)
3. Jyla puckering up for a kiss!! (she really is such a sweetheart....a bit strong willed we are finding...but so so sweet.)
4 this is what Jyla usually does when scott tries to put her down on the ground.
5. at bfast
6. watching the boats. (JYLA IS OUT OF SCOTT'S LAP!!!!)
7. my EVER-FRIENDLY mom...talking to the locals about their fan. she talks to anyone that understands even a little English!! =)
ps- we've also made lots of friends w/other adoptive families here. One of our closest contact here is a family from TX. They adopted a little 2 yr. old who has chicken pox!!!! so they are kinda quarantined to their room....& we have to keep our distance cause if Adds or Jyla gets chicken pox we won't be able to leave for an additional week...
Prayer:
For continued health (my diabetes is doing fairly well!! thanks to all who are praying/asking.)
For Addalie...she's doing AMAZINGLY well...she's not really able to sit in Scott's lap etc. cause his hands are always full =) but she hasn't been jealous...Jyla pushes her away alot...but Addalie has been resilient. Please pray that she would continue to not take things personally....& that her needs would be met thru me & my mom!
Scott....continued patience!!
Jyla...that she would continue to trust us & feel comfortable w/all of the changes. also she hasn't gone #2 yet....pray for that...& that she'd let us give her a bath....she screams & screams...but she is REALLY needing a bath =)
Scott/I...to have wisdom with Jyla...i know that we probably do things so differently than she is used to.
Thanks for your prayers!!
5 comments:
Thanks so VERY much for sharing your journey! We have been reading, smiling, crying, and praying. God is evident. Grace, grace to you!
the Eckmans
Continuing to pray. I really appreciate all the updates. It really helps us to pray specifically.
I am so impressed with the graciousness of Addalie. What an amazing person she is.
And how encouraging to see Jyla taking steps toward you (kisses) and letting go of Scott (even a little!). I'm sure that in time this will be fun to read back over. She will make such progress relationally.
And three cheers for your mother!!!
But for now, we are praying for strength and grace.
Much, much love,
Cynthia Haughery
Some more great pictures--I bet Grandma will have a suitcase full of fans for all her friends!!
Scott must be feeling so loved-probably more than he cares to be but it will get better--someday this will be a blurred memory! We continue to pray!
Mary Ann
everyday is better it seems. hope you all feel that way,too. it looks like janie is almost having that fan she needs. i'm thinking that scott is getting over the 'proud-baba-she-wants-only-me-feeling.'but since it is the way it is at this point, why not have him shower jyla since she needs a bath and wants only him. makes sense from my vantage point.
sorry, scott, just had to mention it. my arms are weary just hearing about your role.
ang, thanks for all the stories and pictures. it allows all of us to be a part of your journey while you are still on it. much love
What a sad thing for the 12 year old. I can't imagine the rejection she must feel. Wish i could take her!
Addy is one cool kid. She will be the best sis ever!
Hey Scott, you are one cool dad! Impressed! A counselor once told me When a dad has a good relationship with their daughter, It's huge in girls feeling good about themselves and having a healthy self esteem. And also how they view their Heavenly Father. You are on the right track!
Love you guys!
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