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10.01.2013

her bed

As mentioned before, the little one spent the first several nights home at the foot of her oldest brother's bed.  For some reason she switched her sibling allegiance from Kylie to Caleb the day we went to the Great Wall.  While we knew that her sleeping with her brothers wasn't ideal for the long haul, it's amazing what you'll do to buy a few good night's sleep when you first get home from an adoption trip.

(And yes, most ideally for bonding she would have been sleeping in our room with us.  While that came naturally for our kids that had been in foster care and had slept with their foster parents, it clearly seemed totally bizarre to our little one who had spent all of her life sleeping in a room with other kids.  We decided not to push the issue because the one time we tried she went bezerk).

Each night as we'd get ready for bed we'd point to hers and ask if she wanted to sleep there.  And each night she said no.  Until the next Friday we were home when I asked and she gave an affirmative head nod and a confident "ah" (those of you with young kids from China, I'm sure you can hear that little syllable in your minds).  


From that night forward, she has slept and napped exclusively in her bed.


On this particular day during nap time I had to photo document.  Not just because she looks so darn adorable sleeping in her big girl bed that her daddy and siblings built for her.


But because this day, September 24, was the first day she patted the bed beside her and motioned for me to lay down for a minute.  Of course I did and she reached over, grabbed my hand, pulled it across her, squeezed it tight and whispered, "Wo ai ni," and then closed her eyes to fall asleep.


There is still such a long road to go before we find our groove as a changed family.  But these moments make me realize we are on the right path...

11 comments:

Laurie said...

Ah, the post I've been waiting for.. it did not disappoint!! She does look oh so precious in her big beautiful bed.. and the sentimental story...oh my!! :)

Amy Murphy said...

That. Is. Awesome!!! How precious! :)

Lindy D. said...

Natalie is making wonderful progress both sleeping well and being in her own bed. I looks like she has taken to a blankie which is good, also. Where did you get that ADORABLE picture "Sleep tight..." It's just precious!!

Kristi said...

LIndy, my sister has made each of my girls a picture when they came home. I need to post pictures of Kylie and Darcy's too!

Unknown said...

oh that moment when it isn't coerced... that is a GREAT moment!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristi,
Your sweet baby girl looks adorable in her big girl bed! How encouraged you must feel with Natalie taking your hand and saying that she loved you! Very precious from a very brave little girl! Another little hero!
God Bless,
hollym.:)

Maureen said...

How precious! Makes me want to adopt again!!!!

Peggy said...

What a beautiful beginning to your new life together! :)

Rachel slept for 4 years with her foster parents, but from the first night she would NOT sleep with us. She wanted her own bed. Now that were pretty well bonded I'm glad that she feels that way, but at the time I was concerned.

Glenda said...

Aww, how wonderful! Gave me chill bumps! So very sweet, but nothing compared to how much she will love and be loved in the coming months!

Grandma Shultz said...

What a precious "break through" for both of you. She wanted her bed but wanted you laying with her and hugging her as well. Oh, my heart!

anything but LoKEY said...

Oh, Kristi. That moment. Oh my. How precious and sweet. I just know and man I can just be there right now remembering that satisfying feeling of progress. That sweet sensation of knowing they are opening their heart to you. Takes me back.