First full week together

Our week started with me going back to work and Robin staying home full time with the kids. This is something he has been discussing for a while and he has been so keen on doing. To be honest, I didn't know if I trusted him with the kids. Or maybe I just don't like being the one without the control. Either way... he is doing an amazing job. His ability to speak French seems to be a huge help with Gaelle. There have been meltdowns and power struggles between our little girl and us. But we are all learning... about each other and our triggers and the best way to deal with potential problems.

The kids went to the Doctor on Monday. She was amazing. She specializes in geriatrics but will be the kids primary care physician because she was a Doctor in Haiti for a few years. She spoke Kreyol to the kids and really took her time with them. We have an appointment with a dentist and with a pediatrician who specializes in international adoption later on. The dentist will be interesting because both kids have serious cavities and other dental issues. We're thinking we'll need to put Gaelle to sleep but the dentist will assess that when we go.



The kids were able to meet their big sister, Emily and big brother, Joshua on skype. For some reason, Gaelle comes alive with Joshua. She really hams it up. So funny.



Robin and Kaylin went out and purchased all kinds of kid friendly supplies. Our craft supplies have become depleted over the years and so it was time to pick up a few items. The play doh is a big hit but Robin has to get over his phobia of mixing colors. Because that doesn't seem to bother the kids.



On Saturday Kaylin and I started the arduous task of taking out Gaelle's little braids and beads. We 3 girls went to the store in the morning and purchased some hair supplies. Gaelle proudly held them and clearly knew they were for her. However, shortly into the bead taking out... the tantrum started. I'll just leave it there. I haven't downloaded the final product but it is cute and simple. In case anyone is interested in numbers... it only took us 45 minutes to remove elastics and beads... 3 hours to remove little tiny braids... 15 minutes to bathe, shampoo and condition hair... and 20 minutes to put in hair puffs. The entire process took us 24 hours. There's just no way we could do it in one sitting.



Peterson continues to be curious about his surroundings and has had quite a few adventures. He goes in the car with Robin for most errands. He has been to the market (grocery store), the building where Robin and I work, Kaylin's work, and then last night he went to our church's swimming party. This was his first time in a large pool and he had a blast. He and Robin went by themselves and even though Peterson was aware of the kids around him, he was completely in his own world. He and Robin just played by themselves and Peterson was generally beaming the entire time.

Both kids continue to be excellent eaters. I'm just amazed at how they will usually take a bite of anything I put before them. They won't always eat it, but they try. They still aren't fans of veggies but tonight I fed them beef stew and Peterson had several helpings and Gaelle finished her one small serving before asking for yogurt. Gaelle isn't a fan of bread but she loves to lick off the butter. Neither one of them liked syrup with their pancakes but they loved the pancakes. I thought they would like scrambled eggs but neither one of them cared for it at all. Anyway, we're so fortunate that they are doing well with the food.

Children of trauma

Last night Robin and I were sitting on the couch with Peterson & Gaelle having a quiet moment. Peterson started sharing some of his memories from when the houses moved... the earthquake. He just spoke matter of factly about who was where and what he was doing and how he felt. He asked if houses moved here. Then out of the blue he started sharing some of his story with us. We really didn't expect that until he felt more comfortable with us. But again, it was just all matter of fact. I asked questions and he answered. However, during the conversation it became apparent that a psychiatrist would have a field day with what he was saying. We were stunned. Other parents have shared regrets about not seeking counselling sooner. This just emphasized for us that both kids have trauma in their lives and the earthquake just adds another layer to that. Because Peterson speaks English so well, we are definitely going to pursue this.

Gaelle also had a moment last night. Out of the blue she just started crying... the deep body wracking sobs. I just held her and prayed over her, singing softly and gently rocking. Both kids are experiencing so many new things. The experts say to limit their world... keep it small. This will be easy with Gaelle because she clearly does not want to venture far. However, with Peterson, it will be a more difficult balance. At this point he wants to see and experience everything. Hopefully we'll walk have discernment when it comes towards him.



Last night Robin showed the kids how to make silly faces with the webcam. It was good for some laugst.



This morning Gaelle and I didn't go to church. Instead, we baked some cookies.


And we washed some floors. Good times.

We love yogurt

We are in the process of completing a room in the basement and with the snowstorm today, it seemed like a good idea to set up a mini gym. The kids are used to so much physical activity and so it's kind of hard to be cooped up in a house. Peterson showed off his mad soccer skills and notice Gaëlle's backpack. It is glued to her body.



Gaëlle got her hands on Kaylin's hair and showed us her mad braiding skills. She's amazing for a 4 year old, altho Kaylin did say she was a bit rough.



We had a blustery snowy day today and so we didn't venture outside with the kids. But yesterday we all went for a walk with Snickers. Peterson just loves the dog, but Gaëlle is not a fan. Peterson was very anxious to play at the playground, but again, Gaëlle was not. She's not crazy about her boots and she doesn't like the snow or the cold.

And it's sort of amusing to watch Snickers. She is a jealous, moody little dog. She mopes around the house when she's not allowed to be in the room with us. We're giving her more access to us and Gaëlle, but she's sad to be pushed away. Peterson more than makes up for it. He's constantly playing catch with her and chasing her... a game which she loves.



Peterson and Gaëlle have excellent appetites! They will tell us when they don't like something, but that has been rare. Generally kids from GLA don't like crunchy food but the kids will try anything and have eaten whole apples, with the skin, carrots, and dry cereal. However, one thing Gaëlle asks for several times a day is yogurt. She also loves milk. It is so funny to see her down a glass of milk. And we are realizing that they eat as much if not more at a meal than we do. We'll see if that keeps up.

It has been such a huge help to have Peterson. He's a boisterous 8 year old boy but he's also our translator for Gaëlle. We usually get her gist without the help... she's pretty persistent. But there are times when it's nice to know exactly what she wants. He's also provides a real sense of security for Gaëlle. He went with Robin to take Kaylin to work (He loves the car.) and even though I was already holding Gaëlle, when she saw him leaving, she tensed all up. Whereas, Robin and I have left the house and it didn't faze her at all.

We're having a blast getting to know the kids, but it's also exhausting. We forget so much about that age but it's coming back.

January 27, 2010

What a day. I'm just going to put a few pictures up so my family far away can see some of the events of the day. It was intense, emotional, and quite a blur. I can't even begin to imagine how the kids feel. This morning things are reversed for the kids. Peterson is just full of energy going from one thing to another. Gaelle is very subdued. She doesn't like the dog at all and just wants to be with Robin or myself. We put the kids down last night around 10:45 pm and Peterson has been up since 7 am. Altho both kids slept through the night.

Wednesday at 1 pm

Well, it's finally here. We received confirmation that the kids will be flying into Ottawa tomorrow at 1 pm. When the earthquake hit Haiti 2 weeks ago, it was hard to see past the destruction and horror to this possibility. It has been a crazy 2 weeks and I know what I have gone through is nothing compared to what the people in Haiti have experienced and will continue to live through for many years to come.

I have learned a lot about myself and Robin during this entire adoption process; not all of it good. I'm afraid that Kaylin has also gained some insight into her parents during the past 2 weeks; again, not all of it good. And the reality for our family is that in so many ways, the journey really begins tomorrow.

Robin and I are feeling... well, I don't even know how to describe it. So I won't try. A lot has happened in just the past 2 days since we've been in Ottawa. But on the lighter side of things, we received final travel confirmation about the kids while we were in the parliament building taking a tour. That's so fitting for Robin, Mr. Canada himself.



And the adoption has taken so long so Josh will be more like an uncle to the kids rather than a brother. But maybe he'll be able to share his love for the Sens with his little brother and sister. We did our part, Josh. We picked up a hat.

Maybe Wednesday

It's just been confirmed... the kids won't be flying out Tuesday morning. We're very disappointed but it seems very likely that it will happen Wednesday. Again, we don't have times or the location that the plane will land, just the hope that it will happen.

On Our Way!!

We are on our way to Ottawa to prepare to pick up Peterson and Gaelle. We believe they will be there or Montreal on Tuesday morning. We are very excited and tired. We have been very busy over the past few days getting things ready for the big day. Through all this waiting and stress we anticipate God's answer to so many prayers.

The rumor is dispelled

All adoptive parents in Canada will know what I am saying. Here is proof of just how compassionate and proactive the Dutch government has been in getting their children home. I can't watch this without bawling. It really shows the care and concern and speed in getting their children home. Yet it also shows the finality of their journey. My heart just broke as one soldier turned around with his little child and helped him wave "goodbye" to his birth country. Truly bittersweet.

I love the Netherlands!!!!!

This is the translation from YouTube from an online translation site:

A plane with 92 adopted children from Haiti and their supervisors this afternoon landed at Eindhoven Airport. There are Dutch children transferred to their adoptive parents. The children were yesterday by Dutch marines from their orphanage accompanied to the airport of Port-au-Prince, where they flew to the Netherlands via Curacao.

The aircraft departed from Arke Fly on Monday, at the initiative of the Dutch Association World Adoption Foundation and Children, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from Schiphol to the disaster area. Besides relief on that flight was also a support team of experts on board. The primary purpose of this trip was as soon as possible to safety of the Haitian children who are in the adoption process for Dutch ancestors were. Haiti also flew 14 kids for adoption in Luxembourg qualify.

Eindhoven Airport last Sunday was already a suitable place for children and adoptive parents to have time to know each other. The lobby, which normally military personnel arriving and departing, offers enough room to another, hidden from the outside world in the embrace. Sunday came the first Dutch evacuees and adoptive children from the earthquake-affected area.

Defense Personnel normally work as baggage carried, today took the children from the plane and brought them to the terminal. The airbase was also well prepared for the landing of the aircraft. Besides the usual military deployment such as traffic, fire, security and medical personnel, extra effort was made to convert a quiet arrival of the children possible.

They landed

A group of medical and relief supplies as well as trained medical personnel made it to our orphange yesterday... as planned. PTL. Here's the link to follow.

Counting our blessings

I want to link to Molly's blog on God's Littlest Angels website. She has great news that the last unaccounted staff member has been heard from. Adrienne was finally able to connect with GLA and let them know that she was ok. I've included a picture of Adrienne with Gaëlle from October 2008. She is a very important person in our daughter's life and I'm so thankful that she is safe.