Nín hǎo from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. We've been here for a few days now and are staying one more, but it sure doesn't feel like home. I do, however, feel like I've taken up smoking based on the second-hand smoke I've inhaled and the smell of my hotel room. Jill and Doug have threatened to send me to treatment for my chain-smoking when we get back.
Since my last post, we've been taking things pretty easy. Jill and Doug needed to sign paperwork for Jax, so we went out and did that. We also visited an ancient Pagoda, though it now has an elevator going up the inside of it. The weather has been fairly warm so we were also able to go out and walk along the river which runs right in front of the hotel. Thunderstorms today.
I know the story of Jax's first night with Doug and Jill was pretty rough. If you have any doubts about the power of just a little bit of God's love to work in a life you need to see this next set of pictures.
In three days we've gone from this:
To this:
To this!
Jax has really bonded with and feels safe with Doug. He likes Jill too but when we go out or when it is bedtime, he seems to need Doug to be there. While, I think this was surprising, and has been difficult for Jill, it has been great to see Doug take center stage as parent for one of the boys and supply him with love and comfort when he needs it. It also has had the unexpected added benefit that Jill can be the one to go out of the hotel on walks to Starbucks while Doug stays in the room with the boys.
Jax is getting very comfortable when within the safe confines of the hotel room. We're seeing a fun-loving, curious, and kind boy emerge. Here are some things we are learning about Jax:
He likes to play with toys.
He likes to make animal sounds (especially monkey and elephant ones).
He likes cars and airplanes (Doug showed him the movie "Cars" which went over very well).
He likes watching shows on TV and Tablets (especially Curious George).
He likes Pringles chips - and likes to feed them to everyone in the room.
We're also learning that Jax is much more advanced for his age than we were lead to believe by the orphanage staff. He has fine motor skills that would put my 7 year old to shame. For example, he can pull socks inside out to put them on, hold coloring crayons correctly (he's left-handed!), and put his flash cards in and out of their box without help. Verbally, he can speak all kinds of chinese words and has begun to point to things like body parts, say the chinese word, and then wait for us to tell him the English word - which he then repeats back! Also, weirdly, he can salute and march in place (I am not joking).
Every day is full of progress and discovery for both boys. I'll shut up now and leave you more of what you're really here for: pics of the boys and Jill and Doug.
On to Guangzhou tomorrow!
Since my last post, we've been taking things pretty easy. Jill and Doug needed to sign paperwork for Jax, so we went out and did that. We also visited an ancient Pagoda, though it now has an elevator going up the inside of it. The weather has been fairly warm so we were also able to go out and walk along the river which runs right in front of the hotel. Thunderstorms today.
I know the story of Jax's first night with Doug and Jill was pretty rough. If you have any doubts about the power of just a little bit of God's love to work in a life you need to see this next set of pictures.
In three days we've gone from this:
To this:
To this!
Jax has really bonded with and feels safe with Doug. He likes Jill too but when we go out or when it is bedtime, he seems to need Doug to be there. While, I think this was surprising, and has been difficult for Jill, it has been great to see Doug take center stage as parent for one of the boys and supply him with love and comfort when he needs it. It also has had the unexpected added benefit that Jill can be the one to go out of the hotel on walks to Starbucks while Doug stays in the room with the boys.
Jax is getting very comfortable when within the safe confines of the hotel room. We're seeing a fun-loving, curious, and kind boy emerge. Here are some things we are learning about Jax:
He likes to play with toys.
He likes to make animal sounds (especially monkey and elephant ones).
He likes cars and airplanes (Doug showed him the movie "Cars" which went over very well).
He likes watching shows on TV and Tablets (especially Curious George).
He likes Pringles chips - and likes to feed them to everyone in the room.
We're also learning that Jax is much more advanced for his age than we were lead to believe by the orphanage staff. He has fine motor skills that would put my 7 year old to shame. For example, he can pull socks inside out to put them on, hold coloring crayons correctly (he's left-handed!), and put his flash cards in and out of their box without help. Verbally, he can speak all kinds of chinese words and has begun to point to things like body parts, say the chinese word, and then wait for us to tell him the English word - which he then repeats back! Also, weirdly, he can salute and march in place (I am not joking).
Every day is full of progress and discovery for both boys. I'll shut up now and leave you more of what you're really here for: pics of the boys and Jill and Doug.
On to Guangzhou tomorrow!
They are SO DANG CUTE!!!! What shining smiles and brightness in all of your eyes. I want to hug them so bad! Do they talk to each other? Play together? Hana and Sara must be so excited. Perhaps a little jealousy when you get home but the love is there and will shine through. Love and many, many blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie Amman