Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Tips for Bonding

You know, because after one week with out a lot of success, I am extremely experienced in this area and am choosing to share my wisdom with all of you.

Tip #1: Never lock your newly adopted daughter in a hotel room by herself.

Even if she appears to have never even realized you were gone and the entire episode was an accident that occurred while your husband was out running an errand and you were simply moving your luggage out into the hallway for the bell boy to pick up when the door shut behind you. Even if your husband appeared 30 seconds later to open the door for you, Never Ever do this.

Tip #2: Never, ever lose the one thing that brings your child comfort.

Let's say your newly adopted daughter came with a blue wash rag that she sleeps with every night and sniffs when she needs an extra measure of comfort. Never lose this valuable, precious piece of material.

You will only make things tougher on yourself.

And if you decide to throw caution to the wind and actually go against these stellar, wisdom-filled tips...

Come see me. I've been there too.

Very, very recently.

And I'm pleased to say, bonding is still possible, even if you violate my savvy tips.


We have had a good day in Guangzhoa. We went to the zoo. It was hot. You can tell how thrilled Suhn was to be there.


On the way home from the zoo, Suhn fell asleep on the bus. She slept while we carried her through the lobby and up the elevator. She slept while we entered our room and laid her in her bed.

Then she woke up and proceeded to babble and play in bed while her daddy and I slept.

And after that, we bonded. We laughed and played and she actually called me ma ma!

Then we went swimming and she spent more time with me during those two hours than with her daddy (I'd show you pictures, but they don't allow them at the White Swan pool!).

And then the wall came up again. But that's okay because we had ourselves an honest-to-goodness moment!

It was a good day.

I gotta say I am a little concerned about losing her rag. The first week she never let it go. Now that she is more comfortable with us she will forget about it for a time. But with nighttime approaching and a 14 hour plane ride on the horizon, I'm a little nervous. I am praying all the bonding we've been doing helps compensate for the loss of that little rag.

You can pray with us if you'd like! :)

17 comments:

smw said...

i'm so glad that you've had some bonding moments. :) that's truly wonderful.

maybe you can pick up a blue rag similar before you leave? i'll definitely be praying for the plane ride.

on another note, i hope this comment posts. i'm getting annoyed because i've tried a couple times to post on you last entry and it isn't coming through. grr...

Sticklings said...

We will pray that God will give Suhn comfort even without her rag. I am so thankful you had the break-thru moment. She's starting to accept that you are her mama...so exciting to hear! We are praying for you and looking forward to meeting your baby girl!

smw said...

ok, since that last one seemed to take, i'm going to try once more...

last night i asked faye if she'd like to see shaun's new sister, kory and megan's new little girl. she loved looking at the pictures. said, "kory and megan!" and, "i see her?", about you. she said several times, "megan her mama!" it was so sweet. she's beginning her friendship with suhn already. :)

Jessica said...

Oh I love your sense of humor :)

Will be praying for you trip home...just 4 more days!

Happy 5th birthday to Simon and Jonah today too :) I am sure it makes you miss them all the more.

We are praying and we love you!

Jami said...

Megan we don't have internet at our new house yet so finally (while at mom's) i can check the updates. I am so happy to hear the happiness and hope return to your "voice." You are doing awesome. I will certainly pray for you to find the missing blankey...oh no!!! I love you! Your kids here are doing great. Mya is sitting here in her cute jean skirt and purple shirt, hair braided in the front and cute pig tails. She is happy but she wants you to know she misses you. "Suhn come home soon!" she says as well. Jonah is marching around the kitchen singing! Simon sitting by Raegan reading and Sean...hmm don't know where he is now! :) Actually he's in the basement playing with my boys. All is well here. Keep on taking care of yourself and your sweeeet Suhn and we can't wait to see you again! I love you all!

Jami said...

oh and by the way, you have 7 meals coming to you in the first 2 weeks of your return. yaaaay!!

Heidi Klopfenstein said...

I said "aaww" out loud when I read that Suhn called you ma ma!! What a GREAT bonding moment. Praying for you all. Hoping the special blue rag shows up!!

Tami said...

i would like. :) praying for more "moments" and a keen eye on that blue rag! :)

Anonymous said...

inoprMegan,

I read your blogs everyday and I just want to hug you...i just want you to be home and let your Mom and Dad hold you and let your 4 kids smother you with affection!

You are going to make it girl!

Praying,
MarknBarb

teresa said...

thankful for these precious bonding times with suhn. praying for ol' blue to appear or a soothing sub to be found. continue to remind yourself that wonderful progress is being made. with love, hope & prayers

Mom said...

This is finally letting me send a reply! I am so thankful for all these positive bonding moments! It makes me cry to see the peace come into both of your eyes. God is good and He is going to make her one happy little girl in a wonderful family!

Love,
Mom

Unknown said...

You are doing wonderfully, and your daughter is going to be so happy with you. I'm so happy for all of you, even though things are hard now. Suhn is precious.

We were there over 4th of July too (our Gotcha Day was the 5th, yesterday was our one-year anniversary) Remembering the crazy mix of feelings and experiences you are going through, & celebrating for you even during this rough time. You will be home soon, even though now it feels like forever!

htownjenny said...

You are doing wonderfully, and your daughter is going to be so happy with you. I'm so happy for all of you, even though things are hard now. Suhn is precious.

We were there over 4th of July too (our Gotcha Day was the 5th, yesterday was our one-year anniversary) Remembering the crazy mix of feelings and experiences you are going through, & celebrating for you even during this rough time. You will be home soon, even though now it feels like forever!

Unknown said...

So glad to see that you're keeping your sense of humor through it all, Megan. I'll file your tips for bonding away in my memory... So sorry you've had some mishaps. Maybe you'll find the little rag...or maybe she'll create another little lovey. She doesn't know it yet, but she's so blessed to have you.

Rachel Lynn said...

Megan, I am happy to read that things are getting better! :)
And, I loved reading this post....you have such a great sense of humor through all of this :) You're such a wonderful mom! :)
~Rachel

Michelle said...

yay! Great news!! Feel like we have not seen you now that we not hall mates.

Maybe you get something similar for her? A gift from china here in GZ has blanets, shiny on one side, but soft on the other. Blue. NOT the same thing. But....something.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Keep Running!!!!!

Missy said...

she actually called me ma ma!

Oh, tears. Thank you Lord!