We laugh as we realize one so young sure has a lot of power as we are all cramped in one little room as she sleeps peacefully in the adjoining room...all by herself!! We are relieved Mia finds peace though when she is resting. The road getting to that relief is bumpy but once she gives in, she is peaceful. We are slowly learning what works best for her frightened little soul...as much as I want to hold her to comfort her before she drifts away, this is not what she wants. I lay her down in her little bed as she fights against herself trying to find that comfort and familiarity she once knew. In her little hands are the little pink elephant and tan puppy we sent to her in her care package...I guess they are what remind her of her home and hands that use to care for her. It seems maybe we turned some small corners today in respect with how she is relating to Randy and I. Randy fed her her breakfast and the two of them gained some comfort with each other....providing those basic needs...these are huge steps forward with these precious little ones who are torn away from their security. Randy craves for her attention It is so precious to see her little by little let go of her fear and begin to welcome him into her heart. He is patient though...so patient and knows time will heal and will then grow the bond of daddy and daughter. Sometimes my patience is not so strong as I wait for her to not just see her as her provider but know me in her heart as the one who has been given the name of Mommy. We spent some special moments together in the Provincial Museum today. The beginning was rocky but we both endured and for the moment she seemed content with my love. She loves to walk and go up and down stairs...she is so confident with steps...she must have had a lot of experience with them in her home...never misses and step and absolutely no wobbling!!! Even though she loves to be mobile she is just not confident of being out of arms. Our moments were so rewarding today because there were several times I needed to set her down for this and that and those little arms reached up to me to pick her up again. Those were baby steps...but steps I will not forget. Little gems of her personality keep emerging as we learn more and more of just who Mia is. She is very concerned about any of her skin showing..most of the time she has to have her coat on even when we are in our room and likes it zipped up to her chin. She adores her shoes and must always be wearing them..even to bed! We comply and of course know this is a way she is finding comfort. Her little hands are so quick to do such intricate things. She can screw a lid onto a water bottle...wind string around her finger...snap, zip, button...many things I'm sure she has been exposed to in some way. At times when I see her entertaining herself with just a little string, I am reminded of how little she probably had to play with and a piece of string was enough. As we prepare to leave Guizhou tomorrow night...we are a little saddened to think we are taking Mia away from her birth province. Her life here would have been a struggle. If Love Without Boundaries had not found her and supported her surgeries her life would have been horrific...a life of forever abandonment and rejection, Praise be to our God He whispered the call of adoption into our hearts. The faith to walk forward along this unknown path hasn't always been easily found and held...but is what has compelled us to keep moving. And that weakened faith though is what led us around the world to a frightened abandoned little girl...our daughter...Mia Kate Jacoby
People burning incense in the inner courts of a Buddhist Temple
Mia with her pink elephant and her beloved snack bag
Mommy, Addie and Mia coloring
Exploring the city
Mommy and Mia
A famous pavilion in Guiyang
Three sisters
Precious
Loving thee steps
Tai Chi anyone?
The Jacoby girls walking through the Monkey Park
Enjoying a stroll
Our travel group
Just the two of us
Addie and Mia
Three sisters
Funny about the shoes, Mia Jade is the same way She needs shoes on all the time. She cries for her shoes as soon as she wakes (she sleeps in footy pj's which seem to be ok). She brings us our shoes if we don't have any on. Very odd. I hope GZ brings more healing. And it's much easier to get out and about there. Safe travels on your next step.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about this Paula! It's an incredible experience! About the shoes... when I worked at the children's shelter in New Braunfels there were a few kiddos who were all about their shoes as well. I asked around about it and it seems that shoes give them a sense of control over their life, like here is something in my life I can finally control... my shoes. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how you've found the time or energy to write such great posts, but thank you for doing them. It's been great to read about those "baby steps," while knowing the great future ahead for Mia and her whole family. Love and blessings to all!
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