This and That

Just one week from today, we will be in a hotel near Dulles airport.  I'll be tucking JiNuo in for the last time.  It makes me sad, but we are going to enjoy each moment while he's still with us.  Have I mentioned how much he LOVES tuck-in time?  He shares a room with Cole, and he just lies in his bed BEAMING, waiting for that goodnight hug and smooch. Oh my, that's one of the things I'll miss the most.  Not sure how we lucked out with two really sweet and easy host children in a row, but I'll take it!!

We spent Friday night at Great Wolf Lodge.  He loved it, and surprised us with how much he was willing to try, considering he can't swim.  He went on the double person tube rides and just thought they were the best!  LOTS of stairs for him to climb, and he was certainly slow, but he did it multiple times to take on those waterslides.   What a rock star.  Proud host mama, right here.

 

 

 



 

A few times a week, he sees the other two boys that are also being hosted from China.  Hosting with friends is the bomb, and I would highly recommend it.  ;-)  All three boys have very different personalities, but at a minimum, it's  nice having someone you can actually talk to without the iPhone translating app!
Last week Ali and I took them to Crump Park.  It was a gorgeous day and they loved seeing the animals, using the playground, and feeding the ducks! 

 

 

They also had their first lesson about Easter!  They learned about Jesus, they colored eggs, and did an egg hunt.  So, so sweet.



could he be cuter?!?

 

He keeps us laughing, usually without trying.  I hear the same 3 phrases about 452 times a day:

 

1. "Ayi iPad?"  (Ayi means "auntie", and it's what he calls me)

2. "Ayi  Ultraman?"  (off the charts cheesy Japanese show.  Don't ask me how or why we own a DVD)

3. "Where are we going?"  (that is the only Mandarin phrase I've got down pat)

 

 

He also has the funniest mannerisms and habits.  He's the loudest, open mouthed chewer in the history of mankind (although Ali might disagree with me).  When he has to use the bathroom, he squats down to tell me. 

 He has barged into my room many a time while I'm changing, and once even pulled back the shower curtain just to say "HELLO!"  I've had to start locking my bedroom door, so now he just jiggles the doorknob, knocks, and repeatedly asks, "Ayi??"  Personal space and boundaries?  What are those??

 

He can't manage the 4 stairs up to his bedroom without leaning on the wall for balance (there is no banister.)  When he gets out of the bubble bath (which he LOVES), he just drops his towel and makes his way upstairs.  His butt is approximately 6 inches wide, and his legs are toothpicks.  I crack up watching him every time. 

 

He still resists veggies and fruit, but dutifully eats them when we tell him that he must.  He's very obedient and wants so much to please us.  After he eats, he takes his plate and cup to the sink, and then usually comes back for mine, all on his own accord. 

He and our kiddos act like siblings (wrestling, getting on each others' nerves, etc.)  I think he will do great in a family.  He likes being on the go, and getting in the van to go somewhere.  Anywhere, really. 

 

 

 

Although the fact that he is a happy, HAPPY child has made these few weeks very easy on us,  we do have some slight concern that happy is the only emotion we've seen out of him.  We haven't seen mad, frustrated, afraid, sad, empathetic.  Nothing.  ONLY happy.   Maybe it's his coping mechanism?  Maybe he has those feelings but just doesn't express them?  I don't know.  Chris and I are prepared for him to show little to no emotion when it's time to say goodbye to us.  It's hard to tell if he's bonded with us.  He DOES show us (probably me, especially) a lot of affection, and he loves being with us; no doubt about that.   Friday night we went to IHOP for dinner.  I asked him what his favorite thing about being in America has been (figuring he would mention a fun activity or something), and he said, "For us all to be together."  It was really, really sweet. 

 

eating pizza at Costco, apparently, right next to the cartons of cigarettes.  We really know how to keep things classy!

too cool for school!
 

 

We are still advocating for him, as well as Ji Te and Yangcai.  If you are one of the many who shared the "Ohana" blog post, THANK YOU.  Please continue to share it.  Sending him/them home with a family pursuing them for adoption is our dream.  All three of them need a family to love them forever, and get them the medical care they need to improve their quality of life.  Each family will need patience to spare, and I just know they're out there somewhere.

 

Chris and I are going to continue to fight for Ji Nuo, for sure (remembering that JQ's family didn't come forward until 2 months after he left us).  Will you help us?  He's SO worth it.