It's hard to believe that Saturday was 5 weeks since we've been home. We've seen, felt, experienced and tried to learn so much. I thought I'd capture a few snip-its of the good and not so good stuff so far:
When we arrived home with Ayantu to the United States, and more specifically to our house, she was quite reserved and did not want to portray something to us or others that was "un-loveable". Now, she is quite comfortable with letting us know when she is not happy, scared, has a boo-boo, or just plain frustrated.
In Ethiopia at the orphanage, the Nanny's told us that Ayantu only spoke two words the entire 6 months she was there. Since home, here is her current English vocabulary: "mommy, daddy, petey, sarah[sahara], debbie, holley, elmo, dora, hi, bye-bye, potty, pee-pee, poo-poo, apple, banana, more please, thank you, costco, pretty, boo-boo, and yummy"!
The first 3 weeks+ were very difficult both for Sahara and Ayantu to find a common ground. Ayantu was used to lots of kids both older and younger around her and in her space. Sahara, on the other hand, has been an only child for 5 1/2 years. Not an easy transition. We have shared this struggle with others and asked some specific friends to pray. This past week we have watched the girls begin to enjoy one another. I think Sahara has come to the conclusion that Ayantu is here to stay and has begun, on her own, to reach down to her level. It's not perfect...there are still plenty of sibling outbursts and wars, but we are witnessing improvement. Praise God!
Ayantu's expansive willingness to eat "anything" in Ethiopia really took us aback. We thought we were going to have the food thing be easy. But the tables have turned. We're not exactly sure why, but since being home, Ayantu went from eating absolutely anything to eating only protein, bananas and rice. She literally would prefer to eat turkey, sausages, beef, chicken and more turkey all day long. Not sure about this one. I've tried so many different snacks with her but she has refused them all. The girl can say "no"!
If there is anything Brian and I have come to know thus far...it's that we don't know anything! Surprisingly, as frustrating as that is, it keeps us centered and constantly asking God for help. And boy do we need it. We love our Ethiopian diva and hopefully she will begin to trust and realize that our love for her will never go away!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing Jen. It's so reassuring to hear other adoptive families' stories. We, too, have noticed some really drastic swings with Taye. For a boy who lived in the mud and got clean clothes maybe once/week, he has become fastidious, almost OCD about anything getting on his clothes. Even a drop of water on his shirt sends him through the roof and he "needs" a new one. I think they are experiencing some psychological stuff we can't quite understand in reaction to the first part of their lives having gone without. A's food preferences is probably similar to T's clothing thing--they went without for so long and now have so much. We have the FUN job of helping them learn to balance...
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