Today was a fun and interesting day of sightseeing. We visited the 
Daniel had a very good day. Thanks for your prayers. He only had one episode today. I don’t know what upset him, honestly it might just have been grief, nothing specific, but he was hitting himself and crying loudly (one might call it screaming). I stayed in the room with him and sent John and Cosette on to breakfast. I rocked Daniel for some time while he cried, holding him like I might a baby. I’ve read that if he missed the baby bonding stage he will need to experience it in order to bond in a healthy way. He was resistant to that position, so I turned him toward me and held his body against mine, his legs straddling me, facing toward me holding his arms under mine so he could not hit himself. He fought me at first, but soon melted into my chest, crying deep gut wrenching tears. We cried together for a short while. It was an exhausting experience both physically and emotionally.
The rest of the day has been delightful. Daniel is such a sweet child. He openly and freely gives us hugs and kisses. He makes great eye contact (except during the grieving episodes) and is trying so hard to be an Eisenhauer. Tonight when I was kissing the kids goodnight, I first went to Daniel and kissed him, hugged in (while he lay in bed) and told him I loved him. Then I walked around to Cosette and did the same. She jumped up and hugged me standing up, holding onto my neck and hanging there for a second. Daniel thought he had been left out, jumped up and got "into position" standing on the bed, holding his hands up in the air and then he shouted "mama come". He wanted the same full body, me holding him hug that Cosette got. He is so affectionate and loving!He continues to ask us to take him to “my new mamma’s house”. He really doesn’t understand why we are not headed to
On that subject, we will be in
Please pray for John. His back started acting up today. We are only ½ way through this trip, and we all need him to be mobile! He is resting now with some pain relievers, but he can’t take those during the day AND function normally. Please pray that as John sleeps tonight the muscles will relax!
A quick “Praise the Lord”; last night we spent two hours getting Daniel to sleep. It was an epic battle. Tonight 45 minutes and he’s asleep. No tears and no yelling (Daniel yells when he’s frustrated), no hitting himself on the head! Thank you Jesus; and thank you friends for praying with us.Well, enjoy the pictures. Have a wonderful Tuesday. I’ll “see” you again tomorrow!
Beyond blessed,Tonya
3 comments:
Tonya, I loved seeing the palace and park in warm weather. It was so cold when we were there. You have so many beautiful pictures! I loved the cute hats on the kids too. It's just huge that Daniel was able to grieve with you-that is a big step in bonding!! Praying for John and his back-sleep well tonight! Pam (Dalian Group)
Tonya,
Continuing to pray for you all. Reading Daniel's behavior, I can say been there done that with Timmy.
Timmy also would hit himself on the head when frurstrated. We told him not to do that or he would hurt his brain and not be smart..that seemed to work.
Maybe your translator can tell him this in Mandarin.
When Timmy had melt downs, screamig and crying he would seem to be better afterwards like he needed to get it out.
IT seems like Daniel is starting the grieving process sooner than Timmy. At least he can get it out now. I know it's hard to watch him, but at least he is letting you console him..that's a good sign he's accepting your love.
Darlene
Hi John, Tonya, Cosette and Daniel. We were catching up on all your adventures. The girls especially loved the painted pictures. Kenzie loved it so much she wants us to take her there so she can get one...hahahaha. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim, Michelle, Sam and Kenzie
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