Whew.
As I write (Friday at 1pm, Seoul time), Chip is on the bed in our hotel room with Owen. They are playing and "talking" and actually having a good time together. I say this with not a little relief, because yesterday, after we got him, things were pretty hard-going for awhile.
After returning to our hotel room with Owen, it was about 4pm. He was really into the rattles and teething rings we brought with us, and he appeared to be interested in us as well. He was curious and engaged and seemed pretty content. Until he remembered that we were strangers and not his foster mom. Then, the screaming began. He refused to take a bottle from us and was inconsolable. We spent the afternoon trying to get him to nap and eat; some things worked (the rice cereal & banana baby food were a hit, so was when Chip put him in the Baby Bjorn and walked back and forth in our hotel room to soothe him), some things didn't (changing his diaper, trying to put on clean clothes, etc.). It was touch and go for hours.
I was especially worried about bedtime. We were told that with his foster family, he would take an hour-long nap at 7pm (??) and then would go to bed for the night at midnight (!!), sleeping with foster mom on a mat on the floor (!!). None of these things are really in the cards for him with us, so we had no idea what to expect from our first night together. I'm glad to report it all went swimmingly. He fell asleep in my arms (finally taking a bottle, I'm sure out of desperation because he was so hungry) around 8:30, and when we placed him in the pack and play by our bed, he didn't budge until 7:30 this morning!
Since getting up this morning, he has seemed in much better spirits than yesterday. He has taken bottles from both Chip and me (although not as many ounces as he's used to), and he is in love with the stacking cups and Mr. Worm we brought. He has napped twice in the Hip Hammock Chip wore while we went out for a long walk. And now he is babbling and playing happily. He can sit up very well and really wants to stand up on those super chubby legs of his. We're not sure how well he can crawl at this point, but he seems like he wants to move around and explore.
He is darling - so precious. He looks at us very intently when we talk and seems so mild-mannered. I know we're going to have some ups and downs in the attachment process, but we have high hopes that he will rally. He is already doing so, I think.
I must point out that I had forgotten how cute Chip is with babies. As Chip was bottling him this morning, he started in with the sort of presentations he used to give our girls: "Owen, today we're going to talk about fishes that are native to Wisconsin." And sure enough, that's what they talked about. (I learned quite a bit myself.)
So, that's where we are with things right now. I feel good, so does Chip. I think Owen wants to feel good himself, but he's a little wary (understandably). Oh, he just started crying right now, and Chip announced, "Well, when you cry like that, I have a great view of your gum pads." Um, OK...
Oh, and some shout-outs to specific people:
MARI - Owen LOVES the taggie you bought 3 years ago for J & C! He slept with it all last night and buries his face in it for naptime, and he's obsessed with the tags. Woohooo! Love you!!
JULIE T - We were able to get hanboks for Sara & Alex, and I just hope they are the right size, etc...They seemed really pretty, and I loved the colors. We got them at the Itaewan market.
MIYA & DANA - We successfully delivered your packages to the foster families at SWS. The ladies who took them seemed to know what to do with them, so I'm assuming they'll get in the right hands. ..
CAROL, CINDY, LIZZIE & BETSY - So so great "chatting" with you online. You have given us a good dose of family (and sanity and perspective) when we've needed it most. We love you!
Sending thanks and gratitude across the miles to everyone. Thanks again for your tremendous support.
L & C
P.S. As I write, Owen has practically downed an entire baby food container of green beans that Chip has been feeding him. Seems like a step in the right direction. :)
As I write (Friday at 1pm, Seoul time), Chip is on the bed in our hotel room with Owen. They are playing and "talking" and actually having a good time together. I say this with not a little relief, because yesterday, after we got him, things were pretty hard-going for awhile.
After returning to our hotel room with Owen, it was about 4pm. He was really into the rattles and teething rings we brought with us, and he appeared to be interested in us as well. He was curious and engaged and seemed pretty content. Until he remembered that we were strangers and not his foster mom. Then, the screaming began. He refused to take a bottle from us and was inconsolable. We spent the afternoon trying to get him to nap and eat; some things worked (the rice cereal & banana baby food were a hit, so was when Chip put him in the Baby Bjorn and walked back and forth in our hotel room to soothe him), some things didn't (changing his diaper, trying to put on clean clothes, etc.). It was touch and go for hours.
I was especially worried about bedtime. We were told that with his foster family, he would take an hour-long nap at 7pm (??) and then would go to bed for the night at midnight (!!), sleeping with foster mom on a mat on the floor (!!). None of these things are really in the cards for him with us, so we had no idea what to expect from our first night together. I'm glad to report it all went swimmingly. He fell asleep in my arms (finally taking a bottle, I'm sure out of desperation because he was so hungry) around 8:30, and when we placed him in the pack and play by our bed, he didn't budge until 7:30 this morning!
Since getting up this morning, he has seemed in much better spirits than yesterday. He has taken bottles from both Chip and me (although not as many ounces as he's used to), and he is in love with the stacking cups and Mr. Worm we brought. He has napped twice in the Hip Hammock Chip wore while we went out for a long walk. And now he is babbling and playing happily. He can sit up very well and really wants to stand up on those super chubby legs of his. We're not sure how well he can crawl at this point, but he seems like he wants to move around and explore.
He is darling - so precious. He looks at us very intently when we talk and seems so mild-mannered. I know we're going to have some ups and downs in the attachment process, but we have high hopes that he will rally. He is already doing so, I think.
I must point out that I had forgotten how cute Chip is with babies. As Chip was bottling him this morning, he started in with the sort of presentations he used to give our girls: "Owen, today we're going to talk about fishes that are native to Wisconsin." And sure enough, that's what they talked about. (I learned quite a bit myself.)
So, that's where we are with things right now. I feel good, so does Chip. I think Owen wants to feel good himself, but he's a little wary (understandably). Oh, he just started crying right now, and Chip announced, "Well, when you cry like that, I have a great view of your gum pads." Um, OK...
Oh, and some shout-outs to specific people:
MARI - Owen LOVES the taggie you bought 3 years ago for J & C! He slept with it all last night and buries his face in it for naptime, and he's obsessed with the tags. Woohooo! Love you!!
JULIE T - We were able to get hanboks for Sara & Alex, and I just hope they are the right size, etc...They seemed really pretty, and I loved the colors. We got them at the Itaewan market.
MIYA & DANA - We successfully delivered your packages to the foster families at SWS. The ladies who took them seemed to know what to do with them, so I'm assuming they'll get in the right hands. ..
CAROL, CINDY, LIZZIE & BETSY - So so great "chatting" with you online. You have given us a good dose of family (and sanity and perspective) when we've needed it most. We love you!
Sending thanks and gratitude across the miles to everyone. Thanks again for your tremendous support.
L & C
P.S. As I write, Owen has practically downed an entire baby food container of green beans that Chip has been feeding him. Seems like a step in the right direction. :)
5 comments:
Congratulations on getting through your first day! He looks so handsome in these picture (Owen that is). I can't wait to meet him in person. Glad to hear Chip is imparting some of his "wisdom" onto Owen. Sending all my love, hugs and kisses!
Whew! is right! Great Job Chip and Laura! Hopefully Owen has heard that he will need to become a die hard BADGER fan! Hey Laura....what size do you think Owen is in?
Love Maria
So glad you made it through your first day together! I have been enjoying your blog SO much, and am somewhat living vicariously through you guys. (hope you don't mind) :) It's so fun to see you all together and that you're having a good trip so far. I have been praying for all of you this week. Love,Heidi G
Hey birds!!!! what a beautiful baby boy. i have been thinking of you all week and wondering how it's been going. you and owen will do just fantastically. glad to see things are going well. we can't wait to meet him when you get home and settled. good luck on the trip home! --lisa
Woohoo! I am so glad you guys are coming through the rough part. I am also so pleased that the taggie was a hit. I will try and look for a little one for him... there used to be some that you could attach to the diaper bag.
Love you guys and a big kiss to Owen from the Schielkes!
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