Sorry for the lack of posts! We're having a great time at the White Swan. Mostly. Poor Daddy is still the only parent MeiMei wants anything to do with. She gurgles and squeals and eats like a horse. She is a great mimic. She can clap her hands, wave bye-bye and dance. But she is not bonding with her mom. Yet. So dad is tired and mom is sad. Mom is getting lots of time with JieJie, which is wonderful, but JieJie misses dad's attention.
We know this is common as well as temporary, and we have met other families in the last week who are experiencing the same problem. MeiMei's long period of foster care bodes well for a strong attachment. It also seems to have done her so much good. Developmentally, she seems right on target for a 1-year-old. She has manifested none of the difficulties associated with institutionalization that we struggled so hard to help her beautiful, smart, lovable older sister overcome. We are so grateful to her foster mom for the obviously loving care lavished on this little one.
Tonight the two of them played on the floor for a long time, actually interacting, with no display of hard feelings from JieJie, who is not so sure about this sister thing and wants to be babied. She wants MeiMei's toys and delights in taking things away from her. MeiMei, on the other hand, is obsessed by her sister's hair and loves to grab a handful and yank.
We took them both shopping to the Pearl market today, a perfect rainy day activity. Then mom and Tammy
stayed to shop at the apparel market while dad took the two girls back to the hotel. He boasted upon our return that he had changed two diapers at the same time. Is there a Guinness record for this? And does it matter than 17-lb. MeiMei was wearing a size 5 diaper?
Just another day in the life of Superdad!
Like that Dave Rampe hairdo!
ReplyDeleteHang in there... She will come around...
ReplyDeleteHelen, Craig, and Clare,
ReplyDeleteMeiMei is beautiful! We can't wait to meet her. Enjoy the rest of your time in China. Love, kisses, Jan, Scott, and Celia
The transformation is incredible. MeiMei has finally gotten that soft baby look to her face. We noticed the same thing with Sylvie it took about 3 days but the "game face" gets replaced with soft baby relaxed face. The sleeping picture is priceless. Hang in mom foster baby will soon be a mommy's girl.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that JeiJei is taking to her role so well. This is a very hard thing for a girl who has been the center of so much attention for so long. Wish I was in China. Sylvie does too. We now know lots of Chinese from attending the adopted baby Chinese school. We know how say tiejian. So Tiejan for now.
Gina Sylvie Steve
Also got a game for mommy to play with mei mei to approach bonding. Not sure if you have mei mei in the crib. Sylvie was quite comfortable in hers at night. I would play a game where I grabbed onto the bars and she would grab below mine. I'd grab onto another rail and Sylvie would follow me. I started it when she had her hands on the rails and started following her. It's a way to play without having to handle her. Sylvie felt like her crib was her domain and relaxed in it. We played a lot of hand games on the rails, then I advanced to putting my head on rails and then she did that to me. And at some point we were able to smuch our faces together. During the day she let me kiss her head whenever I wanted but I felt the crib play let her be the boss and it made her feel in charge. Try it
ReplyDeleteDear Helen and Craig,
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying your blogs.
What a wonderful trip you are having. Your two adorable girls are a fine pair. You will appreciate them fully. And now I have another very special grandaughter.
Mark Zimmerman sends his fond regards and best wishes.
Much Love,
Grandma Mollyne