Little stinker

We’re doing okay, but it’s been a rough couple of days. Tuesday afternoon, Ning decided that I was chopped liver and doesn’t want much to do with me. Every once in a while, he’ll interact with me, but he’s very nervous about getting too close. He is great with Dave, but he definitely wants to call the shots when it comes to engaging me. One minute, he’ll throw the ball to me; the next minute he is hitting me and saying “bu, bu bu!” I’m trying to keep my perspective and remember that he didn’t ask for a new mama. He wants the one back at the orphanage.

We did visit the orphanage yesterday (Wednesday) and that was difficult. Before we even got off the bus, he spotted his Half the Sky nanny and was crying and reaching for her. She scooped him up and cried pretty hard. They are obviously very attached. Dave and I decided to go with the flow and not get too uptight about it all, but we stuck right next to him no matter who was holding him. We suspected from his confidence and outspokenness that he was well-liked at the orphanage. Our visit confirmed that. He was a little prince! And I think he got to do whatever he wanted. Dave calls his gait the I’m-large-and-in-charge strut. Boy, do we have our work cut out for us! Anyway, no fewer than ten nannies scooped him up and kissed all over him. He was smiling and lapping it up. We were able to see where he slept and they gave us the little card that marked his crib. Lunchtime came, and he ate two bowls of rice porridge with vegetables and meat. He’s definitely a good eater.

Saying goodbye was extremely hard. We all cried, and his nanny gave him back to Dave just before we hopped in the elevator. When we got down to the bus, the nannies were leaning out the window calling his name and waving. He cried for a good bit, but then fell asleep in Dave’s arms. It was a very emotionally exhausting morning.



As tough as that was, I think it actually helped him. He seemed more relaxed yesterday afternoon. I know the nannies talked to him during the visit about his new mama and baba. They seemed to be emphasizing that and encouraging him to go with us. I wonder if he feels like he got a kind of permission from them that leaving was okay and this whole thing isn’t a mistake. I love that he was so loved there, and I know if he attached to them, he can attach to us.

We visited the provincial museum this morning, and we have a free day tomorrow. I’m going to keep making myself available to him and pray that he’ll let me in soon.