We spent this morning at the Guangzhou zoo, where we were all excited to see a real live giant panda munching on a bamboo breakfast. Dimao has a panda stuffed animal that we sent to him in his care package, and I think he made the connection. We also finished our medical exams today, and he is cleared to come into the US. So, we should come home on time!
We feel like the relationship with him is going pretty well. The only tantrums for the last 2 days, for example, were typical 2-year-old control-issue tantrums. (You won't give me that. So I will lay down and cry angrily to try to make you change your mind.) We are handling him better...we have a system for dealing with meals so that we can control his intake and so that we all eat together. No tantrums around meals for a while. And, he is accepting when the meal is done. (Incidentally...for all of you who will be around him, no one gives him any food, drinks, or treats except for Mom and Dad for quite a while. We must be the food-givers. It communicates that we are his people and we take care of him and he now has 2 primary caregivers instead of many, many. And if you saw this boy at meals, you would get why this is so important. No suckers or candy. Nothing. If he needs something, send him to us to ask for it. OK? :-)
Craig and I are also starting to teach him signs, frequently together with a Chinese word to reinforce the meaning, so that we can build his vocabulary for communicating. We are blessed to have a professional sign language interpreter with us who is adopting with Lifeline at the moment as well, and we are daily building our vocab. (Thanks, Angie.) Up until now, his only way to ask for something, or say something, is to make some sort of sound and point. We are hoping to give him vocabulary to build a bridge for him until his surgery to close his palate is done. Just tonight, I used the sign for stinky at a dirty diaper (I had just learned it), and he used it just a bit later to indicate that he had another dirty diaper. Smart and quick.
Also, he is Crazy about all modes of transportation. The big item of the last 2 days has been the official introduction to a stroller. He would have us push him in it everywhere, all the time, especially if we will go out of doors. We do not, but he would like that. :-) He loves having his own set of wheels, and particularly if daddy has to stop and tote it and him up or down a set of stairs. Hilarious!! However, he also giggles with glee when we stride toward our bus, a van, a golf cart, an escalator, an elevator, and Especially a people-mover at the airport!! Good times!!
We just weighed him, and he has already gained weight in just one week with us. This despite major intestinal distress. He is gonna GROW!! He has an inquisitive mind, a happy and playful personality, and a desire to help, please, and communicate. I for one cannot wait to get some healthy, healthy stuff into this kid to help him build his brain and body.
Well, some comments on life in China:
I love the breakfast buffet at the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou because of how very international the selections are. This is an international banking hub, and there are people from everywhere staying at this hotel. I wish I felt like green vegetables at breakfast, because I could eat a day's worth. There is everything from our expected waffles, fruit, and omelets to miso soup, hummus, olives, fish rice porridge, all kinds of salad makings, steamed cabbages and greens, dumplings galore, Middle Eastern flavored meat, crispy bacon and not-at-all-cooked-enough bacon, and everything else on the planet that gets eaten for breakfast. (Well, maybe not everything, but it seems like it.) I have to subdue the urge to go up to people and strike up conversations while they are trying to conduct business or enjoy their morning coffee. "And where are YOU from, sir? I know Africa, but where in it???" "Mar'haba, ma'am. Are you from Saudi or Yemen or elsewhere?" etc. But we have entirely to much to handle with our pint-sized crazy-food-man for me to be leaving Craig at breakfast to try to chat with strangers regarding their language background and home countries, so I don't. :-) But it is tantalizing to me.
Crossing the street in a large Chinese city is a lot like playing Frogger. (If you are younger than, say, 32, then you should just ignore the reference and move on, I guess.) (Unless you're into vintage video games.) (If you know Frogger, then, seriously, it is a lot like it.) In Shanghai, Even At The Crosswalk we could get hit. Guangzhou is a bit more civilized; the crosswalk is more or less respected, IF you are at a light. Otherwise, you had better be on your guard. Wow. Going to the 7-11 is such an adventure. We stick with people from here and follow their lead. I figure if I'm between an old lady and a lady with a baby my chances are higher. :-)
Thanks to all of you for your prayers. We are deeply grateful for those of you who are keeping up with us through the blog and lifting up our requests. Please pray for us to have wisdom regarding how to settle Dimao's stomach, particularly before the long international flight. Pray for our family at home to be prepared for our return; pray for the joy of the addition of a new brother to outweigh the difficulty of adjustments, and thank God with us for the work that He will do in each of our lives through the addition of this life to our home. Continue to pray for our patience and endurance, for peace and grace to prevail in our hearts, and for us to have God-given wisdom in the best ways to parent him.
Blessings to you!
Big grins as Mommy helps Abe down the stairs
Watching the chimps with Dad-
1 comment:
Hi Craig and Melissa! We prayed for you yesterday at FBC Eclectic! Hope you make it home soon! Love the Frogger reference Melissa. Love you, Sara
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