Sorry, I don’t have any fun pictures or anything for this post. I guess I have some items that I have been wanting to blog about that don’t involve pictures. BORING, I know!
ONE
Samuel will start school next week (two-year-old program, part time to get him used to it.) And though it’s hard to make this transition, it has made both of us step back and feel so blessed & thankful that Joe has been able to stay-at-home with him since the earthquake hit. I don’t know how to explain how much of an impact this has had on our family – the bonding, learning, trust and relationship building. Had Joe not been able to spend the last 7 months at home, I know Samuel would be a different kid today.
And that leads to reason why I wanted to blog about this… So many of you out there supported us – and without you, Joe wouldn’t have been able to be with Samuel. We are deeply thankful for this… I don’t have the right words (even today) for how much this has meant to us. I told my mom last night that the decision to stay at home with him was a fork in the road for us – and the rest of our lives will be different because he was allowed to develop a relationship with Joe. Obviously I wish that could have been me (story for another time) – but I am not jealous… and in fact I think Samuel needed Joe at home more than he needed me these past few months. Don’t get me wrong – Samuel and I are in love too! J Our relationship has grown so special and I finally feel like we have a real connection that won’t be broken.
TWO
I don’t really know who reads my blog anymore… I don’t check the analytics of it very often. Who knows – maybe it’s just my mom and Cathleen?! J And if so, that is fine with me. I believe blogging (for me) is therapeutic and it also allows me to journal feelings/events for when Samuel older. But I also do it to share those little life moments and happenings with family and friends, because Samuel is a “child of the world” (as my mom so eloquently put it) and so many people were a part of his journey home.
While I know his story has been in the public eye from the start , sometimes I do get concerned about sharing too much information, or having an open blog… So I just wanted to make that statement, because as a mom… doing what is best for him will always mean more to me than anything. Okay – I think I have said enough about that.
THREE
Samuel’s eating habits have done a 180 over the past 2 weeks. I changed the way I was feeding him dinner – I decided I would give him whatever we were having (on a plate) but would make “back-up” Mac & Cheese (knowing he probably wouldn’t touch what we were having.) And I would force him to try things – even though he would spit them out. Then I also learned if I gave him a spoonful of something we were eating before dinner, he would usually try it (because he was hungry) so that would pave the way for trying dinner items (no meat yet, but we will keep trying.) So anyway, here is a list of some new things he now eats:
ONE
Samuel will start school next week (two-year-old program, part time to get him used to it.) And though it’s hard to make this transition, it has made both of us step back and feel so blessed & thankful that Joe has been able to stay-at-home with him since the earthquake hit. I don’t know how to explain how much of an impact this has had on our family – the bonding, learning, trust and relationship building. Had Joe not been able to spend the last 7 months at home, I know Samuel would be a different kid today.
And that leads to reason why I wanted to blog about this… So many of you out there supported us – and without you, Joe wouldn’t have been able to be with Samuel. We are deeply thankful for this… I don’t have the right words (even today) for how much this has meant to us. I told my mom last night that the decision to stay at home with him was a fork in the road for us – and the rest of our lives will be different because he was allowed to develop a relationship with Joe. Obviously I wish that could have been me (story for another time) – but I am not jealous… and in fact I think Samuel needed Joe at home more than he needed me these past few months. Don’t get me wrong – Samuel and I are in love too! J Our relationship has grown so special and I finally feel like we have a real connection that won’t be broken.
TWO
I don’t really know who reads my blog anymore… I don’t check the analytics of it very often. Who knows – maybe it’s just my mom and Cathleen?! J And if so, that is fine with me. I believe blogging (for me) is therapeutic and it also allows me to journal feelings/events for when Samuel older. But I also do it to share those little life moments and happenings with family and friends, because Samuel is a “child of the world” (as my mom so eloquently put it) and so many people were a part of his journey home.
While I know his story has been in the public eye from the start , sometimes I do get concerned about sharing too much information, or having an open blog… So I just wanted to make that statement, because as a mom… doing what is best for him will always mean more to me than anything. Okay – I think I have said enough about that.
THREE
Samuel’s eating habits have done a 180 over the past 2 weeks. I changed the way I was feeding him dinner – I decided I would give him whatever we were having (on a plate) but would make “back-up” Mac & Cheese (knowing he probably wouldn’t touch what we were having.) And I would force him to try things – even though he would spit them out. Then I also learned if I gave him a spoonful of something we were eating before dinner, he would usually try it (because he was hungry) so that would pave the way for trying dinner items (no meat yet, but we will keep trying.) So anyway, here is a list of some new things he now eats:
Risotto
Spicy Rice
Chili
“Homemade” Mac & Cheese with shell pasta!
Bread and butter
Peanut butter and jelly
Greek hummus
Feta cheese
Steamed carrots (new tonight!)
Thai soup (tom ka gai)
Spaghetti
FOUR
School vs. nanny… AHHH… we keep oscillating on what to do here. We have 5 days a week setup at the school/daycare place (and it’s a good place.) But we also met with a potential 1-2 day per week in-home nanny tonight. I have no idea what will happen… no clue. It’s all a balance of consistency, stability, loving environments, learning (oh yeah, and there is this thing about cost too…)
FIVE
No word on adoption paperwork. No phone calls from immigration to setup a local appointment as of yet. Our senator’s office is being very proactive and trying to track things down for us, which has been really nice. But so many other states are getting these Haitian kids taken care of (official adoptions) but Oregon seems to be silent.
PS ADDED:
If you want a good laugh or cry, go here (I hadn't watched it in awhile - I can hardly stand seeing Samuel on the floor crying, but it was so real...) http://www.bruceely.com/sidelines/
Jill,
ReplyDeleteWe feel really lucky if Steevenson will eat meat, he seems to like it if it is flavored but his favorite seems to be fish, rice (if it is flavored) and of course any sort of noodles.
Bruce's video will always bring tears to my eyes. I thank God for all he has done for the kids of GLA and thank God for your little family, you are so precious. Love Mom
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion and experience witt the daycare vs nanny thing. I never did get a nanny but I know no one that had a great experience with them. Most found out they were mostly watching tv or even sleeping even when the kid wasn't. An individual will have good and bad days because they are human, but when you have multiple people at a daycare taking care of him...they can't all be having a bad day!!I know there are good nannies but it is so hard to find them. If you find a good daycare then the child gets into such a good routine and that is what they need most at that age. It may take a few weeks where they (and mom and dad) need to adjust to drop off, but I think it is kinda fun to watch them get in a morning routine and carry their lunch box and walk to the room. Plus, your house is not a mess when you get home :) I had a lady watch Ryan every Friday for about 9 months before he started daycare (at 18 months)and it was fine but I stressed alot more wondering if she thought what I left for lunch was nutritious and if he had a meltdown if she thought he was spoiled. Dumb mom stuff to think but we all do think it but at the daycare...they have SEEN it all! Just find one your GUT tells you is good to your kid!
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