Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Baby Steps

Today was particularly difficult for me. After a 2 hour rest (thanks mom) and an outing I can see a little clearer. It's been 3 weeks since I met Emme in the hotel lobby in Beijing. For 2 weeks she would not walk except in our hotel room. The day we left for home she found her feet and strutted her stuff. The first week in China she had night terrors which she doesn't seem to have now but rather awakenings and as a result meltdowns which seem never ending but are probably less intense. She makes good eye contact, plays games with me and likes to be held. These are all good signs which suggest the attachment process has truly begun. Last night was bad for both of us and today was hard for me. I needed a break so I could regroup. We haven't really gone anywhere in the week we've been home probably out of my fears. Tonight we ended that, took a bath albeit a screaming one and got out of the house. We went to a friend's house for a pizza play date. She screamed the 15 minutes over in her car seat and the first 10 minutes there. Thanks to the husband she relaxed and within minutes was giggling and playing nicely with her play mate. She helped clean up, she shared and had her first taste of pizza. She only cried for a minute in the car seat coming home. So with 5 hours sleep last night and a 2 hour nap today PLUS running around tonight I am hoping she will sleep well tonight. Barring anything unforeseen we have plans to visit her grandpa tomorrow in New Jersey. I haven't taken ANY pictures since we've been home but that will be rectified tomorrow. Please think good thoughts for us tonight so we can start the day fresh tomorrow.

12 comments:

Samantha said...

Congratulations that sounds like great progress!

John & Michelle said...

You are both in our thoughts tonight!
Love and Prayers
from Illinois,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

It really sounds as if things are slowly improving. I PROMISE, it will get better...My DD Natalie struggled for a while when we got home, but she now sleeps most nights through the night from 8 pm till 6:30 or 7:00 or so....maybe Em is teething a little...she is still young enough for some of her molar's to be coming in...

Rhonda said...

Sending good thoughts, as always...

Debby said...

Here's to a good wish that tomorrow is an even better day. Lisa, you are doing all of the right things. It is important to keep getting out of the house & letting your friends & family help & support you during thid transition time. I am glad to hear that you are getting out with Emme. Looking forward to some new pictures.
Regards,
Debby
mom to Lindsi & Jami

Jill said...

Hang in there! Sending great thoughts to you, and sleeping dust to Emme! Gimme a shout if you need to unload!!
Jill

Operationtigerlily said...

My thoughts are with you. Hope the Empress gets a good nights rest and the road trip to Jersey goes well.

Anonymous said...

I am no expert (just a waiting Mom) but you seem to be doing things the right way (or as I would). Just go with the flow and things will fall into place. Your natural mother insticts are good.

Hang in there, the days where there are more smiles than not, are soon to come.
Roll with it, it will come, give yourself a break too.

L

Carol said...

Things will get easier with time. Emily had a really hard time with sleep...I will be honest for the first 6 months. We've been home for 8 now. She is finally comfortable going to sleep. Hubby changed jobs and went to shift work and that threw her completely off. We have to be really careful with her whenever anything changes. She was terrified of stores because of all the people...she just couldn't handle that, so we stayed close to home for a while.

The Fab 5 said...

I love your honesty. You are such being such a true mommy. I break was well deserved and it was probably good for both of you!! Heres to a wonderful day today. Many prayers for some smooth days ahead!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

The one thing I have loved about all your posts and that is the plain old honesty of it all... it seems like two steps forward, one step back... I am sure in the end you will both 'get there'... I actually am remembering all you are going through so that should something like this happen to me... take care

Brownie Troop 157 said...

I think you're doing great. As a single mom, its hard. I had an easier time b/c my T was only 9 months...but its hard. Even if you weren't having these issues, you would need a break to regroup. TRUST ME!

What I learned to survive as a single mom in general: take those breaks to regroup as needed without guilt; sleep when she sleeps, even if you think you don't need to; don't feel guilty for asking for help from friends/family(that's a hard one if you're a control freak like me); if there's anyway possible, get a maid to come even if its just once a month, even if just to do the heavy stuff. A clean/organzied house gives me the illusion that I'm in control.

Hang in there, you're doing great!

Kind regards from miami,

Carol and Taylor
mischiefandmermaids.blogspot.com