Today was a good day. Wesleigh woke up with a slight smile this morning. She seemed much happier than other days. We went on the tour today to a really neat part of the city. We saw some historical sights and also walked through an open air market. I am working on a post about the city with pictures of the market. I have to say that Cade stayed on the bus instead of walking through the market and it's a good thing. He doesn't do very well with "gross" things and bad smells. I know he would have thrown up in the middle of the market! Richard, me and the other boys loved it. We bought a few things and loved looking at all the crazy stuff people eat! We also got to eat lunch at McDonalds! Wesleigh got her first french fries and chicken nuggets. She LOVED them (like any true American toddler would ;)Wesleigh was cranky on the tour and especially the bus ride home. I let the guide hold her, but she didn't quiet down any better with her, so she gave her right back. I just figured that if she needed someone familiar for a little while, that should be ok with me. It ended up not being a big deal. Besides, my arms were killing me from carrying her the whole morning, so the break was kind of nice.
We got back to the room and let Miss W take a nap. When she woke up, it took her a little while to warm up but then she really started to loosen up. She actually ventured away from me a little and started shoveling crackers in her mouth. Our travel buddies came to the room and I think that helped her loosen up. Their little girl, Hannah is all over the place. She was very playful with the boys. In fact, Bryce was combing his hair and she pointed to her head and said, "uhh". He started to comb her hair which was really sweet. Anytime he'd stop, she'd do it all over again. She ate really well and....she took a bottle!!!! I couldn't believe it!!! She started taking some of the water bottle, but then I stuck that formula bottle in her mouth and she sucked it down! I am so excited about it. She ended the night with a long bath. Braden sat outside the tub and played with those stacking cups for about 20 minutes. It was a great afternoon!
She still isn't sure about her Daddy, and I know he's a little disappointed, but it will come. She still cries when he fools with her too much. I'm sure that will change soon.
Tomorrow morning, we pack up for Guangzhou. I am very anxious to get there! It's WARM!!! Yay!!! Today marks the half way mark....we're halfway home! We'll leave the hotel at 1:30 for a 4:00 flight. Please pray that Wesleigh does well on the plane. She doesn't seem to like cramped spaces, so I'm very nervous about it. The fact that she might start taking formula bottles gives me a little extra amunition for the plane, but I'm very nervous. She also needs to get her system cleaned out before we get on the plane...if you know what I mean. It's been a couple of days and I don't want to risk a blowout up in the air.
Again, thanks for all the support. Your comments are the reason I had Richard make that bottle tonight and stuck to it. Your support and advice are priceless!!
I'm off to bed. I got Richard to get his clothes together tonight so he doesn't wake us all up in the morning. I'm exhausted!
Love you all!!
26 comments:
An excellent "DAY 3" report!!!! She is making y'all work for it, but it will be sooooooo worth it!!! There is nothing wrong with taking it all in before you jump in!! And excellent quality down the road. My guess is Wesleigh Jane will use great discernment one day!! I am so proud of all of you for hanging in there with her patiently... She has done soooo well this week! And, tomorrow you are off to warm and sunny weather!! YAY!
I will be praying for a great first plane trip with "The Tea Cup!!"
Hugs,
Di
Richard, your time is coming.... It won't be any time before Wesleigh finds out that she can boss you around. Hang in there guy. We are praying for you.
Glad to hear y'all found a McDonalds... now that sounds strange.
Can't wait for all or y'all to get back.
All I see in all of your eyes is "love." And I can guarantee Wesleigh sees (and is experiencing) it also. Love conquers all.
Paw Paw
It sounds like yall are doing well! I bet the warm weather will nice, it looks like yall have been really cold! She looks like she is adjusting well. I love her bows and hats! Can't wait to see yall next week.
Oh my, the small things are so sweet. The pic of Cade holding her hand in the stroller and the white car in her other hand is priceless. Ya'll are making strides and it is obvious in your words and photos. Praying for you today, and happy to know your one step closer to home. So many people praying and watching for her. SHe is blessed! Tell Richard to hang in there. I laughed at the thought of him getting a little antsy. He was made for this too. One day she will surely know how great of a daddy he is. I am a big fan!! Love you, Love you! Rachel
I love her coy little smile! Great to see pictures of mother and daughter. I see the car is still in her hand!! So happy the day was good. Praying for her to get well and for the plane trip.
Yay!! ALL of the new pics are great, esp. the one with a car in one hand and Cade's (?) hand in the other. LOVE the one of both of you sitting on the floor together, a baby girl and her mama. Glad to hear she likes her McDonalds. Glad you guys found one, I know the boys probably are. It's great she is taking a bottle. Praying for a smooth transition with everything else. This has got to be overwhelming for her, in a good way. God has a plan!!
Can't wait to see y'all in a few weeks, yay!!
Jennifer:
You blog has been such a comfort to me. Our little Zach has been in the hospital with pneumonia since Saturday. Tuesday he was careflighted to a Children's Hospital in Dallas. It has been re-assuring to me that the same God that has been watching over all of you in China is healing my little one in Dallas. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Ya'll are doing awesome. Miss W will warm up to her daddy eventually. My daughter Emmie took a while to warm up to her daddy but now they are the BEST of friends. So much so that I think she prefers him to me sometimes. (lo) We found 1 thing that she really liked and only let her daddy do that for her. So she HAD to go to him for that. For example, we let him put her in the stroller. Since she loved it. =0) Anytime we got ready to go out HE had to put her in her stroller. That way she kind got used to him "holding her". She started to get nore "used" tm him and by the time we were ready to leave for home she was holding his hand... Ya'll are doing Great and she is sooo precious!!
Heather
I love how she holds Cade's hand, I love how she wear all the spectacular hats and bows you have brought with you, I know you love that she loves McD's! She really does appear to be doing well with y'all. I continue to pray for you and your family.
One day at a time. I am glad to hear that each day is a little better. Reid and I are keeping up with you journey each day. He is so excited to see the pictures of Wesleigh each day. Her holding the little car in the pictures reminds me of Reid when he was young. He always had to have something in his hand. Praying for those little successes each day. Take care.
Kim Didier
Yes, I know that Wesleigh Jane will ADORE her Daddy one day!! The wonderful thing is that she is discriminating - she is not just friendly with everyone - I think that is a good thing - (or WILL be!) Especially once she realizes that Daddy isn't leaving and that she can trust him too. Did she have any males in her life at the orphanage?
I am glad to hear that your darling girl loves french fries AND took a bottle - I am SO thrilled about that! That pretty girl needs to get to GZ and have some Starbucks. Oh, wait, that's her Momma - well, you are pretty important too - I hope you got some rest!
Hugs,
Sara
It took one of our travelmate's daughters about three weeks to get near her daddy, but now (at five) she is a consummate Daddy's Girl. Hang in there, Richard!
I'm so glad y'all continue to see glimpses of her sweetness. And REALLY glad to hear she took a bottle. One day at a time. One day at a time.
YOu will love Guangzhou. Lots of fun places to see and wonderful shopping.
Each day will get better and better now. She will warm up to her Daddy. I am so happy for you!
You all are doing so well. I think her sticking close to you is very healthy for Wesleigh. And she will find out daddy is wrapped around her finger... then watch out! :) I know you know this but having her take a bottle on take off will reduce the pressure on her ears. It really helped with EK. Someone in our group had ear drops and we put those in too. I know you loved McDonald's! I NEVER eat that here in US but when in China, I ate it a lot!!! Pizza Hut too. So praying each day for you all and hope you have a wonderful flight to the warm and comfortable south. Blessings today!!!
Shay
I'm glad each day is getting a little better, and I am sure this will continue. Guangzhou is great. You will like it there and the weather should be wonderful this time of year. Keep those pictures coming!
Daisy
Jennifer,
YEAH! SO glad you guys stuck with the bottle and it worked. I am telling you when you get home and everyone is at work and school and you can just hold her and gaze into her eyes while she drinks the bottle....that is the BEST bonding you will do. I loved that with Kate.
She is learning to trust you all in her own ways and her own time. What a smart little girl she is. I know that she will be such a Daddy's girl soon enough.
Like Di said...I am so proud of how well you ALL are doing. I know parts of this trip are really tough (from what my people tell me anyway:) and you all are persevering so well. You are taking the time to let Wesleigh bloom and reveal herself to you.
I am praying for a good flight. I have a feeling you will love GZ.
I am thinking of you and praying for you constantly!!!!!!
Love,
Kim
whoo hooo on the bottle!!!!! That is awesome news!!!! Tell your husband not to worry...my husband didn't travel with me (my son did) and I thought for sure that "I" would be the center of my daughter's heart...I mean seriously, I traveled to China right!!! Nope!!! Took her a bit to warm up to Daddy once home but she is attached at the hip...when I walk in her room in the morning I say "Good morning Miss Addison how are you" she replies with "Where's Daddy, I miss him". LOL Gee, that stings LOL but my husband will tell you it took 6 children to finally get one that likes him LOL So tell Daddy to hang on....his day is coming!! And once she grabs a hold of his heart it's all over!!!!
And how about another whoo hooo for that bottle!!!!
Did I mention how stinkin cute she is...
Jennifer,
We are enjoying every picture and following Wesleigh's progress. She looks so adorable in her matching outfits and bows. For her wet cough, you may want to try what the doctor showed me for Caroline( cup your hand and beat on her back to loosen the congestion).
Love Stephanie
I'm so happy you've had a great day! You are doing all of the right things and it shows. I'm so glad you had the breakthrough with the bottle. Olivia never took hers after the first day and I missed out on a wonderful way to bond with her. And tell Daddy not to worry...she'll be wrapped around his finger soon!
~Lynn
So glad that you had a wonderful day 3!!! Your boys holding her hand is too cute and of course I admit I love seeing what accessory Miss Wesleigh will be sporting each day.
Praying for a good flight tomorrow and warm weather when you get off that plane!
Blessings, Ashley
So thankful she woke up with a little smile on her face.
Richard.....I promise you she will come around. I know everyone has said this and it is true! I know it hurts though...it hurt my husband...he so wanted to hold Lottie and love on the daughter he waited so long for. She would scream bloody murder when she saw him coming towards her...when I took a shower...he had to hold her at the end of the shower curtain so she could see me and I had to talk to her the whole time. I remember how painful it was for her and for him and for me because I felt so bad for both of them. I am praying for your daughter to begin relaxing around you and for her to let herself enjoy your presence. Big hugs!
So excited that things are continuing to impove. Hopefully the plane ride goes well!
YEA... so glad things are going a little better.. each day will get better and better..
Hugs..
love the photos..
What a great update! I'm so glad to hear today was a little better. You are going to love GZ...lots of fun shopping, good food and warmer weather.
Thanks again for letting us follow along. I love, love, love seeing families formed through the miracle of adoption.
You are doing great! Progress each day. Glad all is not somber and she is able to break out a little and have some smiles.
Enjoy GZ!! Shop until you drop, I regret not buying more outfits for CNY's (of couse, we can buy anything from China on the internet, it is just not the same!).
Alyzabeth's Mommy
What a sweet little girl! She looks so sad in the first few pictures, but then so relaxed and content leaning back into your arms. It is toucing to see her with Bryce's car in one hand and Cade's fingers in the other.
Just to repeat what others have said, don't be afraid to keep her world SMALL. Meals in the room or quiet days at the hotel can help with with her adjustment.
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