The pictures say it all for me. Harper was just sad today.
We visited Shamian Island today. We didn't stay long. because Harper wasn't feeling up to it. The US Consulate used to be on Shamian Island, so many adoptive families would stay there. The Consulate has moved to a new area now. The number of international adoptions has decreased dramatically since 2007, and as a result there are fewer tourists on Shamian Island. Many of the shops and hotels have closed. We tried to take a picture of Harper with a statue on the island, but she didn't want to pose today.
We ate lunch at the famous Lucy's restaurant. It serves a wide variety of American style food.
Fortunately, there were some moments today where Harper was happy.
Playing with her stacking cups
Playing ball with Daddy
Playing Patty Cake with Momma
Harper has already experienced great loss in her life. She lost her birth family and now is experiencing the loss of familiar caretakers. She will struggle with feeling safe and secure and she may lack the ability to trust that we will meet her needs or be a permanent presence in her life. Shawn and I will continue to meet her needs quickly and consistently so we can form a strong and healthy attachment. With time, we are sure that she will be able to trust us and know that we will always love her.
And this is why I love working with kids...they are SO resilient!!! Like animals, (I know, bad comparison...but true!!!)they have a sense for good people and bad people. I can always tell by looking into a kiddo's eyes whether they feel safe/secure and nurtured or not...whether it be biological, foster or adoptive home. She is sad, but she looks to feel very secure...and you're right, it's probably more due to Ashley leaving. The fact that she's letting you guys comfort her is HUGE...she already knows who she can go to and feel safe again. This is truly amazing and I love seeing it...it warms my heart! I can't wait to meet her and am so excited for (and proud of!!!) you guys! As far as the baths go...I have a lot of suggestions...had many a foster/adoptive kiddo scared to death to take a bath...many a speech session spent in a dry tub! LoL! I can also help out with the chewing if necessary...AND eventually getting off the bottle! (I know...totally enjoy it for now!) Thanks for keeping the blog...I love keeping up to date!
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Thanks Mindy! Today's bath wasn't nearly as traumatic. She wasn't a huge fan -- but wasn't hysterical. We will definitely try out a dry tub! She starts sticking out her bottom lip if you even walk into the bathroom. But she is making progress. At first, she would get upset at every diaper change. Now it's her favorite thing! We must get in at least 3 rounds of patty cake with our feet at every diaper change. She thinks it is hilarious. We are so pleased with how she is doing. She makes excellent prolonged eye contact, so I think that is a good sign. We may really need some chewing tips. She was eating some apple today (I was giving her tiny bits). Eventually, I noticed that she wasn't swallowing any of them. Her little mouth was nearly full of apple bits before we noticed. We've been making exaggerated chewing motions and then opening our mouths to show that the food is gone. Overall, she is doing great!
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