Hello to everyone. It is three in the morning here, and I have tried in vain for 45 minutes now to go to back to sleep. I have so many thoughts and emotions running around inside right now, that I figured maybe the only solution to my sleeplessness would be to get some those feelings down as words down on paper (Or make that Microsoft Word :) Beware, I type 90 WPM, and I have a lot to say -- this may get long!!)
First off, a HUGE thank you to all who have written with words of encouragement to us over this past week. We so much appreciate your kind words and prayers. We may not be able to reply because time (and a slow internet connection here in Nanning) does not allow for it, but know that each and every email means a great deal to us. Hint, hint…so keep them coming!!
As I lay awake tonight, I've been trying to think of how to describe Mylie to all of you. We have only been able to experience her for half a day now, but there are some parental/developmental assumptions I am willing to share. We may or may not find these to be true over the coming weeks.
She is developmentally much behind any two year old we have ever met. Her eyes, however, hold an intelligence that belies the above statement. The things that she has experienced have may have delayed her, but the depth of character we see in her makes it seem like she is just holding back, waiting for that save haven in which to blossom. When asked, her caretakers said she was a solemn little girl, much like we were seeing. I can't wait until the day she is grabbed by her dad, tossed upside down, and tickled - and she giggles in glee. That is a true goal - this little girl needs to experience joy - she appears to have had very little in her life by what we can tell.
Her heart condition is still present. We can feel a swishing sound when we place our hand over her heart, so we know that it has not closed on its own like one always hopes. She may or may not have more issues with her heart than diagnosed. We will not know that until we have her examined back in the States - thank goodness we live in the US and have access to such great medical care.
Her Dad is already head over heels in love with her. I am going to have to fight him for nurturing time this trip I can tell already :) You should have seen how reluctant he was to put her down in her crib after she fell asleep. I think he more than half wishes she would wake up in the middle of the night and need us to comfort her, but so far, she has slept peacefully through. He definitely thinks he’s one of the luckiest men in the world right now - I know because he told me!
People have asked us in the past, why China? Neither Dave or I really had an answer to that - it was just a country we were drawn to. Their process is straightforward, their policies known in advance. At times I felt a bit guilty because it was too "easy". Yes there was lots of paperwork, yes there was a great deal of expense, yes there were times of uncertainty, but is was still a safe known in the world of adoption. The moment I held Mylie in my arms, and realized just how much she needed us, all doubts vanished. It didn't matter which country we were drawn to or felt led to, this was our child, and she needed us. In this country, due to her special needs classification (unclosed artery in her heart) she would not have been adopted domestically and would have lived her entire life in an orphanage. I just cannot imagine this little already solemn little girl having to face that. I am so glad that she has a family - ours.
Love Kris, Dave and Mylie