If you are a mother who has given physical birth, I’m sure you remember when the nurse first gave you your baby. You were the first person your baby saw. You held her against your chest and she took in all your smells. Over the following weeks, she realized you must be someone important. You fed her, changed her, and rocked her. After a few more weeks, she probably smiled as you entered the room. Maybe she even cried when you left.
As you are aware, I was unable to have all those moments with Eden. I didn’t give birth to her. I haven’t been there to change, feed, or rock her. She is now 8 months old and the “someone(s) important” to her are her nannies. In a few months, her new daddy and I will become the important ones. At first she won’t realize it. She may even wonder where her nannies are. She’ll wonder why she has been taken from her familiar bed and from the familiar sounds and smells of Ethiopia. Just because her life is “better” based on our standards, it doesn’t mean the adjustment will be easy for her.
So for a while, her daddy and I will be the ones who will hold, feed, change, and rock her. We will be the only ones meeting her needs. We will not be leaving her in the church nursery or with any babysitters for a while. We don’t know how long this phase will last. We remain hopeful that she will attach to us rather quickly and you all will be able to love her like you do Raine and Seth. But until then, we ask that you love her from a distance.
We appreciate each and every one of you who have prayed for us, supported us, purchased items from us, and given us money. While her adoption is almost over, her redemption is just beginning. What we need from you now, is time.
We love you all!
Grab some popcorn and a cola and enjoy the video I put together of our first trip!
This video is amazing & making me miss Ethiopia & our son even more. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome video! Thanks for sharing with us! Can't wait to meet Eden soon!
ReplyDeleteLove, Amanda, Brian, Joshua, and Jordan!!