Lately, Trey has been doing very well. Most often, he stays home with me (Kathy) and we try to keep things very simple. We usually stay at home for most of the day. We play games, play outside, watch videos, nap, etc. We typically venture out once during the day to run a few errands (such as: the bank, the post office, the store, etc.). However, for the most part, his days are pretty quiet.
Well, yesterday Trey's world was a little on the crazy side. We went to church in the morning (he's still adjusting the the church services). Then, my older brother Mike and his family came over to meet Trey. I have really been looking forward to this event because Mike and Sheri have 5 kids (1 girl and 4 boys). Trey really enjoyed meeting all of the kids, along with Aunt Sheri and Uncle Mike. He had a great time eating, playing, and hanging out. Later in the afternoon, my brother, Dave, and his family (wife and two kids) came over. Trey had already met them...so this was a nice 2nd visit with them. Everything was going well....until....the melt-down. Trey was very good with all of the activity for most of the day....but late in the day...he was ready to be done with this excitement. He ventured into one of the bedrooms and just needed some "alone time". All of this activity was starting to wear on him. We got him to come back out and he bounced back nicely. We went out to dinner with our relatives and then everyone went back to their respective homes. On our way home, Trey was asleep within 10 minutes. He was definitely exhausted.
It's funny because he has been doing so well. However, we were reminded yesterday that he still has a long way to go in his adjustments. Next week is Mother's Day and we will see all of these relatives (plus several more) for a family gathering. It's good that he has met them and we anticipate that the next gathering will go better (due to his familiarity with these people), however, we definitely need to be sensitive to his needs.
He has done so well...yet we know that he has a long way to go. It's hard for us to believe that we have only been home for 2 weeks. He has been getting along SO WELL, yet we can't push him too far. He's still getting to know us and he's still getting to know this place.
All in all, we have really praised Trey for his behavior. We can't even imagine being in his shoes. He's been through SO MUCH in the past month....he's quite a little trooper.
We love him so much and we just want to see him settling in and happy in his new environment. :o)
God's Blessings,
Shane, Kathy, and Trey
4 comments:
It sounds to me like you're handling things just right, being sensitive to his needs. The "first meetings" are always the most traumatic. I'm sure it'll only get better from this point. It's hard to believe what a short time you've actually had him home, so over all, it sounds like it's going remarkably well. Lots of love, Tom and Martha
We watched a movie called "The Italian" (they have it at Blockbuster)and it really shed a lot of light on 'their' side of things. It all looks and feel one way to us (the adopters) and a complete different set of feelings are being experienced by them (the adoptees). I thought the movie was an interesting look inside what was their world.
Kathy,
It sounds like you are so in tune with Trey already, and I commend you for that! He looks like he is having so much fun! Even 10 months post adoption, I still forget sometimes that Owen was in a crib for nearly 19 months of his life before us, and he gets overwhelmed when we're around a lot of people. Good for you for being sensitive to this so early. I can't believe Trey has been home 2 weeks, and in ways I can't believe it's only been 2 weeks the way he has adjusted!!
What a blessing! :)
Kathy- we are another adoptive family from Russia hoping to travel on our first trip. I am enjoying reading all about his adjustment and your fun days together. He looks so happy and content. That is awesome!
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