Note-Worthy

1.

We love watching Andrew walk. When he walks he propels himself forward by swinging his arm and leg forward at the same time (the arm and leg on the same side of his body). This pattern goes back and forth as he walks.

When we first got Andrew he was too weak to even stand. Thus, now that he has gained health and strength, it is with great joy that we see him stand and walk.

When we received Andrew his shoes were over an inch too long for his feet, and even with the Velcro fastened on as tightly as possible, the shoes kept slipping off his feet. So, we waited until he was well enough to go to a store to be measured for shoes. He received his first pair of new shoes on Christmas Eve. When I placed him on the ground he was startled—because the shoes squeaked (we got him squeaky shoes). However, he liked them pretty immediately as he learned that he could make noise as he walked.

2.

When Andrew is put to bed for naptime or bedtime, he will not roll over or stand up…at all. at any point. The way he is placed on the pillow to sleep is the same way/position he wakes up. I think his limbs are too weak to lift up his head and rib cage—which, of course, contain most of his weight.

We’ve marveled how much older and healthier Andrew looked in his updated pictures from Maria’s Big House of Hope. However, he was moved back to the orphanage in August, and I guess the shock and change were very hard on him. He must not have eaten much, because he went down to skin and bones. Looking at some of his previous pictures, he actually looked chunky compared to how he looks now. The picture of him standing on the play set shows his bare arms and legs, he had meat on his limbs then! Oh, well. We are faithfully feeding him, and we know he will “bounce back” soon.

3.

Andrew has been having bad dreams the last two nights. He cries without opening his eyes—and his cry is one of terror. He shakes in fear. When we lift him up, he opens his eyes, looks at us, smiles, and then nestles his head as closely as possible into the crook of the neck of whoever is holding him. He keeps lifting his head and replacing it into the crook of daddy or mommy’s neck as if he thinks he can get closer and possibly feel safer.

“We are here for you, little guy! Perhaps no one was available to comfort you in your nightmares before, but from now on, WE. ARE. HERE! We will comfort you the best we know how. You are ours. You are our son. You belong! You need not go through trauma alone any more. WE. ARE. HERE! That’s what family is for. So, get in as closely as you’d like, because we are hanging on TIGHT!”

4.

Andrew is very strangely quiet. So much so, that George, Carileen, Derek, and I have all had the same thought: “Is he mute?” However, it turns out there must be a reason he chooses to be silent. Was it because his voice and cries weren’t “heard” before? Was it because action didn’t follow the audible requests? I. don’t. know. However, yesterday I found a way to make him laugh. Belly laughter that is so full. I “lizard lick” his neck—which seems to be his tickle spot. I can do it once, and after that, just my head moving toward his face makes him verbally laugh so strongly. It is wonderful to hear.

Also, we know he cries in his dreams and when he was at the hospital getting needles…. However, he doesn’t protest, whine, whimper…. He never lets on when he is hungry, tired, wet, uncomfortable…. But, as he learns that we are here to hear when he has needs and wants, he will learn that his voice will be heeded. He will know that we care and we will act!

Until then, we will wait for him to blossom and cheer on each time his little quiet shell cracks. We know there is a glowing, vibrant child hidden below the surface.

Thanks for caring about our family, and thank you for all your prayers!

Julie (for the family)