Yesterday, June 11th, we got our little baby, Jade Choujia Elenbaas. We haven’t been able to post until now because Jade has had a hard transition and she has been so sad. This, of course, takes the energy out of you trying to help a little baby through a transition that, really, there is not much you can do to help their grief. We knew in our hearts that the transition for Jade would be difficult as her report indicated that she was very close to her caretakers and that she was a quiet girl. So as you’ll see (or may already have seen in the photos) she had a hard time with coming to us. We took our time and let her warm up to us for a while as her caretaker held her and we gave her Cherrios–which she loved! When I (Melissa) did take her she just cried and cried for about 15 or so minutes until she finally cried herself to sleep. Every time she woke up she would cry again until she was asleep. After a photo session (that did not really go well, but we had to do it for the adoption paperwork) we figured out that she liked Mark better than me, so we let Mark hold her and she stopped crying. Savannah also could make her stop crying as she did little things to entertain and cheer up our little baby. Savannah is very good at playing with Jade and getting her things that she needs. She is such an awesome big sister! She is really helping out in so many ways.
Jade is getting more used to us, but today we had to go back to the registrars office and finalize the paperwork and the nannies were there too. She became sad and upset again after a while of being there and seeing them. So, we feel this set us back a day with Jade, but she is getting much more used to us. She still will cry sadly all of a sudden at times. We do not know if this is her grief of her loss, or her hurting teeth (she’s a drool baby right now and we know she much be teething). She only wants Mark to hold her and clings to him the whole day, but she does not cry when she looks at me anymore (like yesterday for a while), and sometimes she doesn’t mind if I touch her little hand. But if Mark puts her down (especially when she is tired) she will cry–not always, but very, often. If she is set down with Savannah on the floor and some toys to play with she likes that and Savannah loves to play with her this way. I myself am just biding my time, as I know that worst case scenario is that it takes until we get home for her to bond with me. When we get home Mark will be going back to work, so she will have no other choice but to begin the bonding process. I hope, and pray that she will begin before that. ;o)
Okay, this is all I can think of for right now (I’m sure there are a ton more things to say, but my mind can only do so much at 9:20 at night–not that this is late, but with all the emotional strain, it’s just all I can muster for now). We love all of you and can’t wait until we come home to see you all.
Oh, and for Faith–the weather today was nice…not too hot at all and even pleasant for walking! Thanks for your prayers! ;o)
Love you all so much…Oh, hope you are having a good anniversary, Mom and Dad, in Macinaw!
Melissa and family
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July 12, 2010 9:54 pm
It is great to hear how you all are! We continue to pray for Jade as she gets to know you and attach to all of you. She does sound like such a sweet little baby. We imagine so many times a day what you might be doing,and it brings back so many memories of our adoption trips for our girls. Many hugs from Wisconsin!
Love,
The Marshes
July 12, 2010 10:26 pm
We pray so for the hurt hearts and the healing that needs to happen, especially for Jade and for Melissa while she bids her time and for the caretaker who most likely is grieving too. I am sure every moment she seems at all content is a gift and a hope for her future. Thankfully Jade’s neediness is a way to get Savannah very into this transition time. We continue to pray!!
July 13, 2010 12:08 am
Mark,Melissa,Savannah & Jade.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we can’t wait to see you at the airport when you get home.We are sure Savannah is a big help,kids love kids.Start thinking of a family portrait.
July 13, 2010 1:01 am
Dearest Punkin Melissa, I don’t know who to cry for first – You, Jade or her nannies. I’m at work, so I’m really trying not to cry at all, but it isn’t working! I’m thinking of you all constantly and praying for Jade’s broken little heart. I’m glad she’s bonding with Mark, but sad for you because it must be a terribly raw time all the way around, with dashes of deliriously happy thrown in. I’m very glad for Savannah that Jade likes her. It would be so hard for Savannah to process what mommy is having to process. I shall now pat your hand and make you a sandwich. Love you….and the rest of your brood, too. xoxo
July 13, 2010 2:06 am
Oh my GOSH!!!!!!!! You guys are going to get a kick out of this one. I have posted about 5 emails and none of them are showing up? I thought, I wonder if there is some sort of delay?So then I am noticing other posts showing up after I had already posted? So I decided to go through all of the steps that I did to see what I was doing wrong… You know me a gal a few words, ha ha I was typing over the Ctl + Enter on the bottom so I was not doing all of the steps to get it to go. What a dork I am!
I love all the pictures Jade is an absolute angel. Savannah is a sweet little peanut helper and Mark and Melissa, you are very lucky to have such a wonderful family. I love all of melissa’s posts, you are a great story teller. Looking at all the pictures I was bawling like a baby, I know this is such and incredible time for all of you. Jade will bond with all of you and things will be “normal” before long. I love you guys and can’t wait to see you all. Love Jilly xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
July 13, 2010 8:40 pm
Jamie–Thank you for your note! I just love hearing from you and knowing that you are following our journey. You’ll be happy to know that your prayers have been answered because we really made some break throughs today with Jade. You’ll see what I mean when I post tonight. I love you and love knowing that you are following our journey (and thinking of you trying to hold back the tears at work…is that bad? ;o) Love you bunches!
Liss
July 13, 2010 8:47 pm
Jill, your post made me laugh! I’m glad you finally figured it out (it can be frustrating when technology conspires against you!–I know, I’ve experienced it in the last few days too!).
I glad you like the pictures, and I know how you feel because we think Jade is an angel too. Savannah too is just being so good (aside from a few melt downs, and her feeling like she wants to be a baby). She is a huge help and she really loves playing with Jade, so that’s a good thing! Yay!
It’s so good to hear from you. Tell Kyle “hi” from his brother-in-law and sister-in-law and two nieces in China for us, okay? Talk soon.
Melissa
July 13, 2010 8:50 pm
Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Jim,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. God is answering them already! You will see in our post tonight. We love you guys and can’t wait to see you in August (?). I hope you can come. ;o)
Blessings,
Melissa