Ethan and Nyla are having a great time playing with Jayna. We are discovering that she loves to join in massive tickle fights, and laughs like crazy. Is so much fun watching her try and see new things. On the other hand, the language issue seems to be more prevalent, and Jayna isn't real chatty, she will only say something when she's good a ready to. So, we really have all the unknowns of having a newborn, and the chaos of a two year old. All that said, everyday we learn and grow together and its awesome.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Approaching 2 Weeks...
Its hard to believe that a couple weeks have already passed since we were on our way to Ottawa to pick up Jayna. Then, everything was very intense and our thoughts were focussed. We were determined to make this thing happen! Now, thoughts that occupy our minds are more about how we are going to get Jayna to eat vegetables and how are do we communicate with her in productive ways... (the ol' "Just talk louder until they nod in agreement" thing just isn't useful here.)
Everyday, we see Jayna adapt and become more at home here. We also see Ethan and Nyla grow to understand her more and are so excited to watch them care for her in their own ways. Its been a complete change in our family, and we are trying to make sure they don't get lost in the shuffle, especially when Amanda is recovering, and just can't play with them like she usually does.
Jayna is still sleeping in our room - and slowly learning that bedtime doesn't make us disappear - she's either not a morning person, OR is angry at us every morning for a while, but we don't take it personally. New situations are less scary for her, though we still are taking lots of time before we get her into bigger crowds with people who can't resist touching her.
Everyday we find out new ways in which she is as goofy as the rest of us, and its so much fun. she's got a very well rounded sense of humour, especially for a 2 yr old, and can get us all laughing with her crazy faces and seemingly perfect comedic timing. So much fun.
grace and peace,
jake and amanda
Everyday, we see Jayna adapt and become more at home here. We also see Ethan and Nyla grow to understand her more and are so excited to watch them care for her in their own ways. Its been a complete change in our family, and we are trying to make sure they don't get lost in the shuffle, especially when Amanda is recovering, and just can't play with them like she usually does.
Jayna is still sleeping in our room - and slowly learning that bedtime doesn't make us disappear - she's either not a morning person, OR is angry at us every morning for a while, but we don't take it personally. New situations are less scary for her, though we still are taking lots of time before we get her into bigger crowds with people who can't resist touching her.
Everyday we find out new ways in which she is as goofy as the rest of us, and its so much fun. she's got a very well rounded sense of humour, especially for a 2 yr old, and can get us all laughing with her crazy faces and seemingly perfect comedic timing. So much fun.
grace and peace,
jake and amanda
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
One week ago...
Tomorrow will the one week-a-versary of jayna's arrival in canada and into our home. We're struck with the sense that holy cow! We finally have her home! And also the feeling within our family that she's always been here. She has her place here... And we are seeing her become more and more relaxed. Her goofy and mischievous side has emerged - and one day you'll get to see her "bill cosby" surprised face that cracks us up everytime.
The language barrier isn't too intrusive yet, though it sure would be nice to chat with her, since saying "no" to those giant brown heart melting eyes is quite difficult. "no, you can't stab daddy in the eye with your fork... Ok, just one more time..."
It feels as though she may be getting home-sick a little, so things St not be quite as smooth in the next bit, but who's used to smooth? Having her sleeping in our room has been good, but its definitely time for me to get building the bunk bed for her and nyla. I apparently am still a light sleeper, and paying for it... Good thing Amandas dad grabbed another 5lb bag of espresso from Brian...
Sorry it has taken so long to update the blog, it seems like the only time we're sitting is bed-time and we both kinda drop. Many more interesting stories and pics to follow!
We appreciate your prayers for us as we make sure we're making good decisions parenting our kids and making sure the rest of life is taken care of too!
We're blessed to be surrounded by great people like you!
Grace and peace.
Jake and Amanda
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
The language barrier isn't too intrusive yet, though it sure would be nice to chat with her, since saying "no" to those giant brown heart melting eyes is quite difficult. "no, you can't stab daddy in the eye with your fork... Ok, just one more time..."
It feels as though she may be getting home-sick a little, so things St not be quite as smooth in the next bit, but who's used to smooth? Having her sleeping in our room has been good, but its definitely time for me to get building the bunk bed for her and nyla. I apparently am still a light sleeper, and paying for it... Good thing Amandas dad grabbed another 5lb bag of espresso from Brian...
Sorry it has taken so long to update the blog, it seems like the only time we're sitting is bed-time and we both kinda drop. Many more interesting stories and pics to follow!
We appreciate your prayers for us as we make sure we're making good decisions parenting our kids and making sure the rest of life is taken care of too!
We're blessed to be surrounded by great people like you!
Grace and peace.
Jake and Amanda
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Friday, February 5, 2010
1st Day at home...
We have another terrific sleeper... so far!
Over the last 24ish hours, we have begun to earn Jayna's trust. What we experienced on the first night with her has repeated itself over a few times. Her stoneface appeared once again on the flight home - we were giggling with her and having a good ol' time on the plane, but as soon as the wheels touched down, she immediately went stonefaced again, probably remembering that as the thing that happened just before Lily (the one who escorted her from Haiti) had to leave. It crushes your heart a bit to see a little heart already becoming so calloused, but that kinda fuels us to prove to her that we aren't just another adult in her life who she has to leave behind. Her stoneface didn't leave until we were almost 1/2 way to Medicine Hat, when amanda's mom was paying peek-a-boo with her and cracked the smile. Jayna literally goes from looking like a disgruntled youth to a 2 year old... and the whole room lights up with her smiles and belly laugh.
Once we got home, we started getting her ready for bed and Ethan and Nyla were able to interact with her a little more... really, they just wanna tickle her. i don't blame them, its quick, easy and gets some pleasing results, however, they received the troubled youth glare as they tried to steal a giggle from her, and that all ended quickly. Stoneface emerged again, from playing and giggling with her before bed to setting her down in the pack and play, she went numb... not even willing to look at either of us, and simply just being angry, and kinda heart-broken - "i thought you loved me" was the kind of energy that filled that little crib... not willing to lose this battle for her trust, Amanda and i took our places at either side of her and didn't leave until she fell asleep... we were tired. Amanda was especially cooked and still hadn't really been able to rest since her surgery.
This morning was great to be able to simply rest and get our heads around this whole ordeal - over a latte. mmmmm. anyways, Jayna was ready to put on the boots and walk the kids to school with me, but we thought it best for her to skip the -20c days for a week or so. Today was a great time for her and amanda to hang out. Some great bonding has happened - she's sharing some food with Amanda and I, she began learning some english words like"boot", and we didn't see stoneface much. She got a little sketchy at the Dr.'s office, but turned to hug me instead of just going blank, and as the day went, very few situations seemed to get her rattled. She loved the bathtub, and a tiny purse from her cousin was also a big hit. She is a lot like ethan, enjoying to organize things, like taking all the darts out of his nerf machine gun and then replacing them and doing it all over again. when she was done, she put the gun right back in its place... (no, we're not running some kind of child soldier camp). She doesn't like to have crumbs on her pants, and she is very independent. Tonight she allowed me to put her pajama pants on, but was bound and determined to put her own shirt on... it was a good try.
It seems as though we received a 6 month old on Wednesday night and each 6 hours, she has aged another few months... today we saw an 18 month old child and she's steadly "growing" with us. what a crazy journey this is... like a beautiful walk through an unknown forest - so new, a little scary and very very cool. each moment we see something new - a new word, expression, gesture and emotion - and its fantastic.
Today tapped her out... she was on the edge of meltdown around 6pm - a little too much going on today, we're planning to lay low tomorrow, for everyones sake.
FYI - our plan is to help her learn that amanda and i are hers. She gets food only from our hands. She gets hugs and kisses only from us. She gets picked up only by us. This first month at least is so critical for this bond to be established that WE ARE HER PARENTS. so if you see us together, by all means, come and say hi, but do not be offended if you don't get to hold her or feed her... its not you, its us. We have been battling for her life for the last few years and now we actually have to step up our efforts to make this a lasting bond.
Jayna has been well taken care of in her orphanage - loved obviously and nurtured - the development of our relationship has revealed that this was not a factory style orphanage, where kids get a place to stay only - Reach out to Haiti is a fantastic organization that truly cares about people. if you are looking to give financial support to an organization working on the ground in Haiti within its community - this is one of them.
Grace and Peace.
jake and amanda
Over the last 24ish hours, we have begun to earn Jayna's trust. What we experienced on the first night with her has repeated itself over a few times. Her stoneface appeared once again on the flight home - we were giggling with her and having a good ol' time on the plane, but as soon as the wheels touched down, she immediately went stonefaced again, probably remembering that as the thing that happened just before Lily (the one who escorted her from Haiti) had to leave. It crushes your heart a bit to see a little heart already becoming so calloused, but that kinda fuels us to prove to her that we aren't just another adult in her life who she has to leave behind. Her stoneface didn't leave until we were almost 1/2 way to Medicine Hat, when amanda's mom was paying peek-a-boo with her and cracked the smile. Jayna literally goes from looking like a disgruntled youth to a 2 year old... and the whole room lights up with her smiles and belly laugh.
Once we got home, we started getting her ready for bed and Ethan and Nyla were able to interact with her a little more... really, they just wanna tickle her. i don't blame them, its quick, easy and gets some pleasing results, however, they received the troubled youth glare as they tried to steal a giggle from her, and that all ended quickly. Stoneface emerged again, from playing and giggling with her before bed to setting her down in the pack and play, she went numb... not even willing to look at either of us, and simply just being angry, and kinda heart-broken - "i thought you loved me" was the kind of energy that filled that little crib... not willing to lose this battle for her trust, Amanda and i took our places at either side of her and didn't leave until she fell asleep... we were tired. Amanda was especially cooked and still hadn't really been able to rest since her surgery.
This morning was great to be able to simply rest and get our heads around this whole ordeal - over a latte. mmmmm. anyways, Jayna was ready to put on the boots and walk the kids to school with me, but we thought it best for her to skip the -20c days for a week or so. Today was a great time for her and amanda to hang out. Some great bonding has happened - she's sharing some food with Amanda and I, she began learning some english words like"boot", and we didn't see stoneface much. She got a little sketchy at the Dr.'s office, but turned to hug me instead of just going blank, and as the day went, very few situations seemed to get her rattled. She loved the bathtub, and a tiny purse from her cousin was also a big hit. She is a lot like ethan, enjoying to organize things, like taking all the darts out of his nerf machine gun and then replacing them and doing it all over again. when she was done, she put the gun right back in its place... (no, we're not running some kind of child soldier camp). She doesn't like to have crumbs on her pants, and she is very independent. Tonight she allowed me to put her pajama pants on, but was bound and determined to put her own shirt on... it was a good try.
It seems as though we received a 6 month old on Wednesday night and each 6 hours, she has aged another few months... today we saw an 18 month old child and she's steadly "growing" with us. what a crazy journey this is... like a beautiful walk through an unknown forest - so new, a little scary and very very cool. each moment we see something new - a new word, expression, gesture and emotion - and its fantastic.
Today tapped her out... she was on the edge of meltdown around 6pm - a little too much going on today, we're planning to lay low tomorrow, for everyones sake.
FYI - our plan is to help her learn that amanda and i are hers. She gets food only from our hands. She gets hugs and kisses only from us. She gets picked up only by us. This first month at least is so critical for this bond to be established that WE ARE HER PARENTS. so if you see us together, by all means, come and say hi, but do not be offended if you don't get to hold her or feed her... its not you, its us. We have been battling for her life for the last few years and now we actually have to step up our efforts to make this a lasting bond.
Jayna has been well taken care of in her orphanage - loved obviously and nurtured - the development of our relationship has revealed that this was not a factory style orphanage, where kids get a place to stay only - Reach out to Haiti is a fantastic organization that truly cares about people. if you are looking to give financial support to an organization working on the ground in Haiti within its community - this is one of them.
Grace and Peace.
jake and amanda
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Brown, beautiful and ours!
Just a quick update... We went to the Canadian Reception Center last night @ 1030pm and the flight was on time. Jayna was paired with a volunteer attendant from air transat who went with her the whole way... So awesome to talk with her about some things she learned during their flight from Haiti... What food jayna liked, some of her personality, and just knowing there was someone who really cared about jayna was good to know. What a blessing!
Jayna was kinda stonefaced for the first 45mins with Amanda, then had a short cry and started eating mum-mums. Immigration had a pretty good set up for processing all the kids from temporary citizenship to medical checks. An incredible team of volunteers and paramedics literally carried us through the process. Thank you - Fiona, Lily, Ben and Erin and all the others who made the crazy evening a real joy and celebration. We were blessed by your care and attention!
After all that, we went back to the hotel and started "our life" with jayna. She realy wasn't too excited to do much else but watch the crazy talking white people... But after a while, we go her laughing. Really, this was the real bonding moment for jayna and I. And what a beautiful smile and laugh! Yikes! She's really ticklish, once she warms up to ya... She'll fit right in with our other crazy kids. She's so much fun and a total goof, just like Amanda...
Jayna and Amanda shared a bed and she slept so well, Amanda was on mom sleep, waking with every movement, so if she woke up she wouldn't be really freaked out. I slept great, and having set my phone alarm for 550 Alberta time... :P , but jayna woke up at 645 and we hustled into our first full day together. Jayna went into stoneface mode again once we got into the taxi, and until we were sitting at the WJ gate, she didn't show any expression. But we got her laughing again and she seemed to be pointing at something on the tarmac and saying something... My toddler ceole is pretty sketchy... But she spoke!!
The fantastic people at westjet decided to cover our flight to calgary, and coupled with the fact that they're brewing a coffee double strength for me makes them the very best company in the world. Ok, one of the goodest. They have made the whole process very easy, and fun!
We are arriving in calgary after lunch and so looking forward to finally going home and just being home.
In the last week, we have experienced so many highs and lows, and we are so blessed to walk this journey in God's hands and take every step with friends and family like you! Thank you for loving and serving us in so many ways.
Jayna fell asleep on the flight to TO and is still sleeping, we are blessed with another very sound sleeper. Dang, she is so pretty just sleeping. God is good.
Grace and peace!!!
Jake and Amanda
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Family of 5!!!
Grace and peace
Jake and Amanda and jayna
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Is it really today?!
Sitting on the westjet flight to ottawa (thanks Jenni and Keith!) writing this update. Its so wierd to think that my little girl is flying to the same city to meet us! What a journey this has been...
From having the discussion with Amanda about possibly having another kid and then proposing adopting to her... Thinking that it was a nice idea, but never would Amanda go for it... All the pre paperwork and fees and emails and phoning and changing orphanages and crying and wondering if we have completely lost our minds... Finally seeing the beautiful picture of Edmara Gilles on the proposal document and praying for her... Feeling sad for her losing her mom and trying to fathom the horrible decision her father had to make to give her up for her good his other kids.
Then spending those days in Haiti, saddened by the state of this beautiful country and its people. Feeling so helpless and knowing that there is so much that needs to be done... What a week that was... It truly broke my heart and made me fall in love with Haiti. Seeing how things work in Haiti has helped us keep our heads straight through the rest of the adoption... It ain't Canada, things happen when they happen...
I also remember talking with Kerry and Mandy and Jana on the trip about needing to never forget this experience... Getting "the tattoo" as a visual reminder of the importance of serving the oppressed and giving our lives to making a difference in others lives. For me, this adoption began as the answer to my own prayer to know more of who God is and what he truly cares about. True religion... Helping widows, orphans, foreigners, the oppressed. In the last few years I have discovered that Gods plan and hopes for us is not that we would have nicer churches with bigger attendance, but that we, his creation would care enough about our neighbours all around us to live generously, graciously and hopefully in anticipation of his kingdom returning to earth... The kingdom where the last are first, the broken are healed, the hungry are fed and the lonely are loved. This excites me to be part of his work on earth... And sitting here thinking that though this all started with an idea of doing something for someone else, its crazy how God realy has shaped our hearts and broadened our understanding of his love for us and burned an intense love for a little girl that lived her whole life so far... A couple thousand miles away. It is so amazing to me how gracious God is in letting people like us be part of his bigger plans. I am struck with my own insignificance and yet so grateful that God doesn't wait for perfection to use us... He's using us right here and right now. Its brilliant!
So, maybe I have had too much time on a flight with no sleep, but there's what runs through my brain as we prepare to land and get ready to meet our little girl. Its been so long, and yet we are so not prepared for this... But, God's got us, and will continue to carry us through this next part of the journey.
Sorry for the rambling... Thank you for your love and support in all this. We are blessed.
Grace and peace.
Jake and Amanda
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
the night before christmas...
ok. this is the real deal. not exactly the way we ever thought it would be... amanda is sleeping in the foothills hospital, i am at my sisters getting baby stuff ready and trying to be prepared for a kid that i have no idea of her size or weight... and really, it still doesn't seem really real yet. are we gunna fly there and be told they forgot her or something? stranger things have happened... but in the middle of this all, i am getting excited to see her pretty little face and try get her to smile for us...
right now, she's having a huge sleepover with a bunch of other orphans in the canadian embassy and then tomorrow she gets ready to board the plane around 11am and then arrives in ottawa at 10:30pm... we board our plane from calgary @ 10:30am and arrive @ 4:30pm in ottawa, go crazy waiting (we should be much better at it by now) and then wet our pants when we see her arrive and then scare her with hugs and kisses and strange food and toys. we "sleep" in ottawa and then depart for calgary to arrive after lunch. then, it gets crazy-er. we have another little girl! we don't know what to do with her hair! (i say afro all day long, but amanda's not as keen)
so if you could keep praying for us, for health for amanda and jayna especially and clear head and an extrodinary understanding of what to do in each moment, that would be swell. the surgen that did the appendectomy said that it had actually ruptured and its amazing that she's recovering as quickly as she is... thankfully it wasn't any longer... yikes. God has our back. thank you for working with him in caring for us in so many ways... its gunna be an interesting journey.
grace and peace
jake and amanda
right now, she's having a huge sleepover with a bunch of other orphans in the canadian embassy and then tomorrow she gets ready to board the plane around 11am and then arrives in ottawa at 10:30pm... we board our plane from calgary @ 10:30am and arrive @ 4:30pm in ottawa, go crazy waiting (we should be much better at it by now) and then wet our pants when we see her arrive and then scare her with hugs and kisses and strange food and toys. we "sleep" in ottawa and then depart for calgary to arrive after lunch. then, it gets crazy-er. we have another little girl! we don't know what to do with her hair! (i say afro all day long, but amanda's not as keen)
so if you could keep praying for us, for health for amanda and jayna especially and clear head and an extrodinary understanding of what to do in each moment, that would be swell. the surgen that did the appendectomy said that it had actually ruptured and its amazing that she's recovering as quickly as she is... thankfully it wasn't any longer... yikes. God has our back. thank you for working with him in caring for us in so many ways... its gunna be an interesting journey.
grace and peace
jake and amanda
One step forward!
Jayna is @ the Canadian embassy in Haiti getting ready to fly out tomorrow. Amanda is recovering well and should be able to leave the hospital tomorrow morning.
Keep praying!
Grace and peace
Jake and Amanda
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Monday, February 1, 2010
Things lining up...
So, Amanda is starting to feel better, but continue to pray for her speedy recovery - if she develops a fever or something like that, they may not release her in time... YIKES. You may as well also just cut out her heart while your at it, too.
The plans seem to be falling into place for Jayna's arrival - they are bringing her to the Canadian embassy in the morning, and then on wednesday she takes the longest, scariest trip of her life. Continued prayer for her safety and care... we have had to battle for this kid for a long time, and it doesn't seem to be getting easier!!
grace and peace
jake and amanda
The plans seem to be falling into place for Jayna's arrival - they are bringing her to the Canadian embassy in the morning, and then on wednesday she takes the longest, scariest trip of her life. Continued prayer for her safety and care... we have had to battle for this kid for a long time, and it doesn't seem to be getting easier!!
grace and peace
jake and amanda
Another glitch... awesome!
So, in an effort to keep the blog interesting, Amanda's Dr. at Foothills has said that because her appendix had begun to "leak", they need to have her on antibiotics and she should be in for a few more days. (BTW: thanks Dr. _____ from MHR ER for dismissing her "intense lower right abdomen pain" as a ruptured cyst because you didn't wanna take that little extra step to be sure - it's only a small judgement error, no biggy) They know that she needs to be prepared to fly on wednesday possibly, and will work as hard as possible to get her up and out of there asap. (prayer request - quick healing!?!)
I will be making some calls today to sort out how close we are to getting jayna on the next plane from Haiti.
So, prayer for Jayna's health and safety as well and great communication between the embassy and orphanage in the next couple days would be appreciated. Again, prayer for Amanda's body to heal quickly and the clearance to fly would be super. Clear heads and good rest in the next couple days would be great too.
grace and peace
jake and amanda
I will be making some calls today to sort out how close we are to getting jayna on the next plane from Haiti.
So, prayer for Jayna's health and safety as well and great communication between the embassy and orphanage in the next couple days would be appreciated. Again, prayer for Amanda's body to heal quickly and the clearance to fly would be super. Clear heads and good rest in the next couple days would be great too.
grace and peace
jake and amanda
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