Today I'm sad to be leaving you, Baby Rae, and your parents to return home. However, I am overjoyed at having spent 5 weeks with you!! During that time I've seen you learn so many new things, and I've grown quite attached to you -- thus tears of joy and sadness mixed together.
Let me tell you something Willow -- you have amazing parents who are doing everything in their power to see that you get the therapy and instruction you need to fulfill your own personal potential. They work diligently at keeping you focused, giving you good nutrition, and providing a safe, happy environment for you to grow up in.
Seven days ago your little sister, Raewyn Beth, was born. Now that she's home, her cries are upsetting to you. Mommy and Daddy are very consoling holding you and telling you over and over "it's okay Willow."
Through all the changes you've endured the past week, you've regressed a bit -- I don't blame you for pulling back -- it's a lot to handle. You know what? I know in my heart you'll bounce back and come out of the safe space you've temporarily created for yourself.
Grammie is praying for you Sweetie. I love you so much, and I can't wait to see you on Skype very soon.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Learning - Written 8/1/11
Grammie has been staying with you and your parents the past 3 weeks. I live in Indiana and will be returning there in one more week. I will miss you terribly!
In just 3 weeks you have learned so much. When I first arrived you preferred your stand up mirror toy to all others and could barely push the buttons. Now you leave that toy to explore by crawling all over the house. Sometimes you stand up then let go -- and the best part is when you let go, you close your eyes and stand alone. You are so proud of yourself girl! You usually fall down because you're smiling so big.
You really love your rocking motorcycle and are experimenting with letting go of the handles now -- pretty scary. You and I play a game I call "Kisses" where you bend your head down for me to kiss it when I say the word. So sweet. I love you so much Willow!
In just 3 weeks you have learned so much. When I first arrived you preferred your stand up mirror toy to all others and could barely push the buttons. Now you leave that toy to explore by crawling all over the house. Sometimes you stand up then let go -- and the best part is when you let go, you close your eyes and stand alone. You are so proud of yourself girl! You usually fall down because you're smiling so big.
You really love your rocking motorcycle and are experimenting with letting go of the handles now -- pretty scary. You and I play a game I call "Kisses" where you bend your head down for me to kiss it when I say the word. So sweet. I love you so much Willow!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Connection
My dear little Willow -- you have come alive in my heart. I have loved you from afar for many months, and now I get to love you close up! You are an amazing little girl -- full of personality and spunk. You are learning so many things right now, and I get to be part of teaching you a few things myself. It was awesome last evening when you made a conscious choice to crawl after me, sit up when you got my attention, then lift your arms for me to pick you up. Total connection! I love you very much little one, and I'm so enjoying my time in LA with you and your parents.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Catching Up
Dear Willow -- You have been on my mind and in my heart ever since I first saw your photograph in early November 2010. Your parents called and asked if Grandpa and I could Skype with them, and of course we said "yes!" You see, we live 2,000 miles away from you and your forever family, and sometimes Skype is how we connect with each other. Anyway . . . we were talking with them, and your dad (our son) said he had just sent an email for us to open. And there you were!
Our first glimpse of you was a total surprise as we hadn't expected to get the news of you so soon! In our hearts we loved you right away. We prayed for you daily from that moment on and for your parents as there was so much involved in them getting you from China to your new home in the USA. All along the way we received updates from your parents, and we loved you even more each time we heard about you. The wait was long - almost 7 months. Many people embraced you with prayers, gifts, cards, and always the hope that you would arrive safe and sound.
The day finally arrived - May 9, 2011 - at an orphanage in Yanji, China. Two of your nannies arrived with you in their arms, and I will never forget how sweet and fragile you appeared at that moment. Like the other babies, you were crying, and your head was bowed. The nannies said over and over to you: "Mama! Papa! Mama! Papa!" and all we could hear on the video was crying. What a huge shock that must have been to you baby girl . . . to leave the confines of a familiar place with familiar people only to be placed in the arms of two people you had never seen before. I can't imagine how scary that was for you.
Grandpa and I were at our friend, Teresa's house the day you joined your mommy and daddy. Their little girl, Gabriella, is from China too, and she watched on the computer as you were placed in your mommy's arms. It was the most moving and happy moment I have ever witnessed Willow. You were finally a reality for all of us.
As of this writing I have only been able to read about you in your mommy's blog, see photos of you there as well, and Grandpa and I have seen your little face on the computer when we Skype. Getting to see you in person was supposed to happen this week, and then Grandpa got sick just hours before our flight to California. It was such a disappointment not to get to hold you and tell you all the things I've dreamed of saying. I believe there will be another opportunity before long.
You and I have a lot of catching up to do. I love you!
Grammie
Our first glimpse of you was a total surprise as we hadn't expected to get the news of you so soon! In our hearts we loved you right away. We prayed for you daily from that moment on and for your parents as there was so much involved in them getting you from China to your new home in the USA. All along the way we received updates from your parents, and we loved you even more each time we heard about you. The wait was long - almost 7 months. Many people embraced you with prayers, gifts, cards, and always the hope that you would arrive safe and sound.
The day finally arrived - May 9, 2011 - at an orphanage in Yanji, China. Two of your nannies arrived with you in their arms, and I will never forget how sweet and fragile you appeared at that moment. Like the other babies, you were crying, and your head was bowed. The nannies said over and over to you: "Mama! Papa! Mama! Papa!" and all we could hear on the video was crying. What a huge shock that must have been to you baby girl . . . to leave the confines of a familiar place with familiar people only to be placed in the arms of two people you had never seen before. I can't imagine how scary that was for you.
Grandpa and I were at our friend, Teresa's house the day you joined your mommy and daddy. Their little girl, Gabriella, is from China too, and she watched on the computer as you were placed in your mommy's arms. It was the most moving and happy moment I have ever witnessed Willow. You were finally a reality for all of us.
As of this writing I have only been able to read about you in your mommy's blog, see photos of you there as well, and Grandpa and I have seen your little face on the computer when we Skype. Getting to see you in person was supposed to happen this week, and then Grandpa got sick just hours before our flight to California. It was such a disappointment not to get to hold you and tell you all the things I've dreamed of saying. I believe there will be another opportunity before long.
You and I have a lot of catching up to do. I love you!
Grammie
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