Saturday, November 29, 2008

Today is another day!

After putting Ema to sleep about 5 different times last night and finally succeeding at 10:00PM I decided that I have to go into the next day with a different attitude. Tomorrow is a new day and we will try to have a better day. I got my shower before going to bed, washed my hair, got it dry, and went to bed. This morning I woke up bright and early, brushed my teeth, put on my face and then Ema was awake. I could have used another 30 minutes but , hey, the one thing I have learned during this new journey of my life is that I am on her schedule and she could care less about mine. So, I got back in bed, put on cartoons, and we ate Ritz crackers and drank apple juice. Because she seems to hate our room, we decided to eat breakfast right before going to the pottery village, then maybe napping in the van on the way. This seemed to work like a charm. I was able look at everything, Ema was a happy baby, and I am not completely exhausted!

Kirk and Ema are making progress. I can tell she loves her daddy but the way she looks at him. She still cries when he holds her but hopefully this is going to get better. It is so hard to sit and watch her cry because of where she come from. I know that with most children, they usually only cry for so long but because we have only been her parents for 4 days it is extremely hard to just let her cry. Kirk cannot just take her from me and get out. This is not how you handle adopted children. We did that exact same thing to her on Wednesday. We drove to her orphanage, took her from the only person that she ever knew for her entire life, and just like that she became our daughter. While it is VERY difficult for me to hold her 24 hours a day, it is also VERY difficult to build a trusting relationship with a 17 month old person that just had her whole world turned upside down. After talking with a couple that we met here in Vietnam that is very familiar with adoption, Ema is doing well. We are thankful that she is so comfortable with me and that she is laughing and is so outgoing. Please continue to pray that she is open up to Kirk and that she will be able to feel the love that he has for her. He is being far more patient than I could be. Pray that the Lord will give us both the strength and courage to get through the remainder of this trip.

12 comments:

~~Kerri~~ said...

Emily, email me if you will so I can have your email. Today I thought of you endless times. It is 1 46 am here and I am up. Enjoy your day, blessed one.

marykaygl2004@yahoo.com

FIG AND DAWN said...

Emily just do whatever is best for you guys. Every child is different. Just love on her and get her home and it will all come together. You have to rest though.I am proud of you for making the changes because I KNOW HOW ORGRANIZED YOU ARE. Just think you even may agree that my desk looks great when you get home. HA HA. love ya keep up the great work and have fun you two have waited for this moment for a long time. Oh I talked to a lady yesterday who was adopted from Russia and she said her mom bought her a beautiful necklace from the area she was from when she was adopted and she wore it on her wedding day so while you are out shopping you may want to find something neat and put it up for Ema to give to her kids one day. just a thought. smiles. dawn(figdawn@aol.com)

FIG AND DAWN said...

I'M GLAD YOU GOT HER I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER CALL US WHEN YOU GET HOME. SHE'S SO CUTE IN PICS I KNOW SHE IS CUTER IN PERSON, YOU ONLY HAVE 13 MORE DAYS WE ARE MARKEN THEM OFF THE CALENDAR I CAN'T WAIT INDIE

Kaikoura said...

Hey Guys!
It sounds like you are seeing Northern VN, that's great... especially if Ema can get some sleep while you're out. The ONLY thing that would make Maria fall asleep in Ha Noi was walking with her up and down the street. It was totally exhausting on us, and we both could hold her unlike in your case. I think that all of the noise was just so overwhelming that it would help her fall asleep. Hope you're getting some rest when she does.
Kristi

Cynthia said...

Glad to see you had a better day! You're getting right into the swing of things...do what feels right for you and your new family...we'll keep the prayers going. :)
C

Krista and Matt said...

That's so great that she sleeps in the car - I know people who swear that is the best trick. Do you guys have any idea when you might get to come back? I'm so proud of you

Anonymous said...

Hello Guys. Just wanted to let you know the Tigers won last night against Tulane (45-6). We are now bowl eligible. Your baby is darling. Hope all is going well.

Mike & Ginny Mount

Morris,Karen and Molly said...

Hey Guys,

Sunday night finds us sitting in front of Molly's laptop reading about you and all of the advice you are getting. I really feel for you Emily cause Molly cried for 3 months when she was a baby. Started every night for 3 months at 5 pm and lasted for 4 hours . I cried with her. In fact, everyone at our house, everyone that visited cried too. It got better, thank the Lord. Molly didn't like Morris to do things for her as much as she did me. I can still remember how tiring that was. I also remember the first trip to the doctor's office. I always got dressed and ready to go while Molly slept. But the usual hour I allowed for me was not quite enough time when Molly had to be dressed too. She always had to be changed just when it was time to go out the door. But you see, those times have passed and I treasure every memory. I know the advice you are getting is crying never killed anyone. But it sure almost killed me listening to Molly every night. It is hard but it gets better. The hard times will pass.

We look forward to news every day from you guys.

We might get snow tonight.

Be Safe!
Love, and Kisses!

Laura Dawson said...

FYI, by my comment yesterday, I wasn't suggesting that I would let her "cry it out", I just meant try not to worry yourselves so much! I can't imagine that there is any other option than to give her whatever it is that makes her happy right now!! By the way, we used your back yard to snap a Christmas card picture today...

FIG AND DAWN said...

HEY. GOOD MORNING. WELL TODAY IS TAYLOR'S 14TH BIRTHDAY.NO SNOW. BUMMER. GET EMA TO SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THE KIDS CHECK YOUR BLOG EVERY MORNING. MS LINDSEY SENDS HER LOVE AND SHE HAD SPECIAL PRAYER FOR YOU, KIRK AND EMA. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. I SHOW HER YOUR BLOG PICTURES WITH FIG'S IPHONE. I SHOW PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE IS. WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR YA. YOU ARE BLESSED WITH A HAPPY(MOST OF THE TIME), BEAUTIFUL ,HEALTHY LITTLE PRINCESS. PRAISE GOD. HAVE A GREAT DAY. I MISS TALKING TO YOU. I FEEL LIKE I AM HAVING EMILY WITHDRAWALS. HA HA. LOVE YOU GUYS. DAWN

Anonymous said...

Emily,
Everything you guys have said in your post about what is going on with little Ema is exactly what all the adoptive parents that we met have told us. We had one dad tell us that it would be exactly that way...that the child would cling to whoever held them first and would take time to adjust to the other parent. But they do and when they do it will be FOREVER! These is a wonderful journey and I am so happy for you. Tommy and I wish we were closer to our trip to China. We are so happy for you!
Thanks for sharing on you blog with us!

Kendra said...

Isn't it amazing how the promise of a new day can renew your spirits? God is so good; He really does know what He is doing. :) I'm dying to know...do any of her clothes fit? I love the idea that she is possibly an international model for the freckled frog right now!