Well, the last few weeks have flown by...
Zeke Shuo was officially 18 months old on January 11th!
My sister, Becca, has a great talent for photo taking...so she snapped some photos of our little goofy guy :) He did so well...Being out on grass was new to him...so he did a lot of looking around and was so intrigued by all the sounds of cars driving by. This little guy has such an infectious smile and silly personality...love him.
Here are some photo shots of Zeke at 18 months!
 |
| Those eyes...those dimples! |
 |
| He is a very animated little guy...new sounds or new sights bring on this "WOW" look :) |
These next photos have a special place in our hearts! He is wearing his Chinese silk!
We've been having a lot of fun these last weeks...still are learning many new things each day. Within the last week Zeke has been sleeping through the night (almost every night!) We are SO very thankful that he feels safe and that he isn't waking with bad dreams and grieving at night these last several days. It makes such a difference during the day when great rest is had at night! :) I'm sure every parent can attest to that! ;)
Zeke continues to be extremely active and wanting to learn so much! He is starting to pick up some more sounds...trying to attempt different animal sounds. Quacking like a duck is still top of the list with our many walks to feed the ducks these days :) He still watches us intently when we are explaining something to him, and learns so much through visual learning. He usually doesn't have to be shown something more than once to want to try it himself. He has conquered "more", "please", and "all done" sign language! So very thankful for this! Just a couple of weeks back, Zeke was still struggling with food. He would become so upset if the meal was done, even if he was spitting up the food from being so full. The past few days he has felt safe enough to tell me "all done" prior to spitting up food...meaning he is recognizing that he is full, and is not fearing when more food will be given to him later. When he is hungry, he is signing "more, please" to me...so I know he is asking for food! God bless communication!! :)
Attachment is still a day to day development. There are days that we feel we have taken big steps, and other days that feel down right disappointing. I (Molly) personally have had a hard time with this. I've been facing my heartbreak on the days where Zeke does not show much affection, or want much affection. Zeke is constantly watching for our reaction to things, he is looking for our approval in many ways each day. It hit me that I have been looking for those same things from him; I am longing to have his approval as his mommy. I have had to recognize how much I am taking it personally, when in my view, he seems to not be very attached to me. Attachment is something that any Mommy longs for with their child. I have realized how much I hurt in wishing I could have "carried" Zeke earlier in his life...to have been his mommy bonding with him early on...to be the one holding him as an infant, to be the one cooing with him as he found his voice...to teach him about love, trust, and family. I am working through this in my heart...and realize that we need to go back to as many "basics" as we can even though Zeke is 18 months old. Each day we're working on being near to Zeke and when the opportunity arises...to show him all those attachment aspects. When he allows...trying to hold his hand, rub his back or head, give high fives, offer kisses and hugs...and each day Zeke is starting to ask for these things himself. Not often yet...but even once more a day is such a big step! A couple of days ago Zeke walked over to me, grabbed my hand, and held it for 15 seconds. Yes...I counted and cherished those seconds! :)
Near the end he looked me in the eye and said "Awwwww" lovingly...he is getting it! I need to just give him time...and work on my heart too ;) In recognizing that Zeke is such a visual learner too, I've been trying to teach him through his stuffed animals...When he first came home...he wanted nothing to do with them really...now he is carrying them around and hugging them while saying Awwww...over and over. He is learning. Again, we are amazed at all Zeke has gone through, and the victories that are taking place each day. Praising the Lord for Zeke, for God's amazing design in how Zeke learns and wants to grow, and for family...we are growing in our love each day.
**********************
About a month ago we had been told by our doctors at Seattle Children's that surgery will be in the spring. Last week, we got a call from them saying they want to do surgery early February. So...Zeke is having his bilateral cleft palate repair surgery on Friday, February 6th. We will have about 7 pre-op appointments on Monday Feb. 2nd. So this will all happen very quickly. We had our concerns about doing the surgery so soon after being home, but have had great wisdom and encouragement from doctors and other adoptive families that have gone through the same surgery with their adopted kiddos. Zeke needs to have this surgery done, so it is best to do it right away.
We will try to keep an update going on the surgery date, details, and how Zeke is doing through it, as we can. We appreciate your prayers for our little guy and for all the doctors and team that will be working with him at Seattle Children's!
As we continue in this journey, Zeke's name meaning still comes to mind...
"God will strengthen"
Zeke continues to be extremely active and wanting to learn so much! He is starting to pick up some more sounds...trying to attempt different animal sounds. Quacking like a duck is still top of the list with our many walks to feed the ducks these days :) He still watches us intently when we are explaining something to him, and learns so much through visual learning. He usually doesn't have to be shown something more than once to want to try it himself. He has conquered "more", "please", and "all done" sign language! So very thankful for this! Just a couple of weeks back, Zeke was still struggling with food. He would become so upset if the meal was done, even if he was spitting up the food from being so full. The past few days he has felt safe enough to tell me "all done" prior to spitting up food...meaning he is recognizing that he is full, and is not fearing when more food will be given to him later. When he is hungry, he is signing "more, please" to me...so I know he is asking for food! God bless communication!! :)
Attachment is still a day to day development. There are days that we feel we have taken big steps, and other days that feel down right disappointing. I (Molly) personally have had a hard time with this. I've been facing my heartbreak on the days where Zeke does not show much affection, or want much affection. Zeke is constantly watching for our reaction to things, he is looking for our approval in many ways each day. It hit me that I have been looking for those same things from him; I am longing to have his approval as his mommy. I have had to recognize how much I am taking it personally, when in my view, he seems to not be very attached to me. Attachment is something that any Mommy longs for with their child. I have realized how much I hurt in wishing I could have "carried" Zeke earlier in his life...to have been his mommy bonding with him early on...to be the one holding him as an infant, to be the one cooing with him as he found his voice...to teach him about love, trust, and family. I am working through this in my heart...and realize that we need to go back to as many "basics" as we can even though Zeke is 18 months old. Each day we're working on being near to Zeke and when the opportunity arises...to show him all those attachment aspects. When he allows...trying to hold his hand, rub his back or head, give high fives, offer kisses and hugs...and each day Zeke is starting to ask for these things himself. Not often yet...but even once more a day is such a big step! A couple of days ago Zeke walked over to me, grabbed my hand, and held it for 15 seconds. Yes...I counted and cherished those seconds! :)
Near the end he looked me in the eye and said "Awwwww" lovingly...he is getting it! I need to just give him time...and work on my heart too ;) In recognizing that Zeke is such a visual learner too, I've been trying to teach him through his stuffed animals...When he first came home...he wanted nothing to do with them really...now he is carrying them around and hugging them while saying Awwww...over and over. He is learning. Again, we are amazed at all Zeke has gone through, and the victories that are taking place each day. Praising the Lord for Zeke, for God's amazing design in how Zeke learns and wants to grow, and for family...we are growing in our love each day.
**********************
About a month ago we had been told by our doctors at Seattle Children's that surgery will be in the spring. Last week, we got a call from them saying they want to do surgery early February. So...Zeke is having his bilateral cleft palate repair surgery on Friday, February 6th. We will have about 7 pre-op appointments on Monday Feb. 2nd. So this will all happen very quickly. We had our concerns about doing the surgery so soon after being home, but have had great wisdom and encouragement from doctors and other adoptive families that have gone through the same surgery with their adopted kiddos. Zeke needs to have this surgery done, so it is best to do it right away.
We will try to keep an update going on the surgery date, details, and how Zeke is doing through it, as we can. We appreciate your prayers for our little guy and for all the doctors and team that will be working with him at Seattle Children's!
As we continue in this journey, Zeke's name meaning still comes to mind...
"God will strengthen"
 |
| Mama and Dada love you so much Zeke Shuo! |
No comments:
Post a Comment