They say that with adoption there are certain time milestones that mark periods of adjustment in a kid's life. Named as a few are: six months home; one year home; and spending the same amount of time with you as the kid did elsewhere. We indeed did see changes in Jia at six months home. At that milestone, she stopped waking up multiple times each night.
More recently, at the year mark, we also saw a change. I waited a long time to post this because I wasn't sure whether it was going to stick. But it has. Jia no longer wakes up shrieking. For an entire year, whenever she stirred in the morning, she would start screaming before even opening her eyes. I think I have permanent bruises on my legs from the countless times I jumped up and ran into the end of the bed or a nearby chair as I was trying to get to her in a hurry. We now wake up to a kid reading to herself, playing, or softly calling, "Maa-maa." The difference in our level of stress, and hers I imagine, is immeasurable. And the bruises can just be a reminder of how far we've come.
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7 comments:
So happy things are going well...that must have been so heartwrenching for all of you. It is a testament to what wonderful parents you guys are and what a happy girl she is. There is nothing that makes a parent feel better than knowing their child feels safe and secure and LOVED!
I love all the pictures! I saw the updates just now.
I love Jia's Halloween costume, it's adorable! and she was "matching" with Elvis.
I love your new blog look =) That header is adorable!
Glad to hear that the adjustments are going so well! Jia is just precious - you all have a lovely family.
Rebecca
That is really neat. It is great to hear about the improvements and it must be so wonderful to not have her wake up screaming. I have been thinking a lot about those milestones as we are now at the mark of having Lauren home for as long as she was in Taiwan.
We saw a big change at the "same time with us" mark. And it, too, had to do with sleeping. We're coming up to another mark, double the time here as there and again, the sleep issues are changing for the better. Jia looks so full now -- Full of love, full of family.
tori
PS Love the new look!
I love watching your journey with Jia, even from afar. This is great news, a good development, and something I hope she never remembers. Maybe the coming to security will be what she knows, like finding faith, or something. You guys are such wonderful parents, and so wonderful for becoming parents in this way. I like that you post things farily frequently -- Funny how cyperspace is, but I think it's going to keep us connected despite the miles. Miss you. Jen.
Sounds like she finally exhaled!!!! what a wonderful feeling.
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