Day 7 - Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2010

We had the perfect gift today, “Grady” all to ourselves.  The only thing that would have made it better would have been having Madison here also.  We took him a stocking with some little toys and clothes.  As all typical 3 year old react to being given clothes, he was not too interested in them.  He then go to the candy, which he stuck in his mouth whole.  Then came some small little box cars.  Dad tried to teach him how to roll them back and forth, but it was not his “cup of tea.”  He likes toys that make sounds, light up, and spin.  Then he opened the slinky.  He loved it!  Last but not least was a little light up spinner that hung around his neck.  Loved it! 

We had a lot of fun playing with building toys and playdough.  It’s amazing how quickly he is taking everything in.  It only takes showing him how to do something once, and he does it. 

Today we got to experience his stubborn side twice for a minute or two.  The first time, he had finished playing with building toys and wanted to move to the next thing (slinky).  His speech therapist has trained him to clean up before playing something else, and we want to maintain that practice.  So we asked him to clean, and he “cried” for the slinky.  We pointed to the toys, and showed him what we wanted him to do.  He pouted, but then began cleaning.  When he closed the bag, we praised him, and he got the slinky.  The second time, he dumped the playdough toys on the floor because he was frustrated.  He became frustrated with me, because I was trying to help him with the playdough when he was struggling with doing something.  He will not accept help at all and want to do it all himself.  Independence is good, but part of bonding process with parents is the understanding that they are there to be a support system and accepting help is part of that support.  On the other hand, I need to let him ask for help on his own.  I’ve got a little of a stubborn side myself.  : )  He dumped the playdough toys on the floor, so I said no, sat him on the floor and told him to pick them up while pointing at what to do.  He pouted for a second, and then began picking up the toys.  We praised him and off he went to the next toy happy as ever.  I had forgotten what it was like to have a strong willed little one.  Good thing we had a lot of practice with our first little one, because it all came back like riding a bike.  : )  He is a lot of fun, and we can’t wait for tomorrow.

We did not take pictures today, because with all the Christmas presents and toys, there was already a lot of stimulus today.  Tomorrow, we need to tone it down.  Also, I am not sure he was feeling too well.  He seems to have a cold.  On a side note, he knows how to blow his nose. 

We also had a chance to walk around town today, and went to a toy store and the open market.  The region we are in is very different from the capital.  I'll share some pictures and sights and sounds of the region on another post.  The open market is a mix between a farmers market with fresh products and a flea market with odds and ends.  We will be going to a restaurant tonight with another American family from Texas who is adopting a child from “Grady’s” groupa.  What are the chances of that!  Our facilitator is so sweet.  She has arranged everything so that we could celebrate Christmas tonight by going out to eat a nice meal. 

Madison we miss you and wish we had been there to see you open the gifts that Santa brought you.  Hopefully we will be able to Skype later and talk with you a little more.  We LOVE you!

Merry Christmas to All!