Wow. What a day. We're doing the transition in two stages, so today was just meeting Olivia (or Waad as they call her), and tomorrow we will take her with us. As we had guessed from the photos, she does NOT trust strangers (her nannies confirmed). That is a good news for our chance to establish a genuine bond with her over the coming months, but it of course makes the first days uncomfortable, especially for her.
When we arrived, the nannies had taken her outside on the grass, so it was all happening as soon as we stepped out of the car. She was a little confused and unsettled by the unusual situation of being alone away from the other kids. The nannies were eager to push her into our arms, which made her even more scared of the situation and the two strangers eager to interact with her. We were rushed into a small office and encouraged to play with her on the floor, but she was in tears and scared. Trying to hold back the tears, her whole body was literally TREMBLING with fear when we approached her gently. After about 20 minutes of sitting together playing with caryons (us playing and her looking scared into the floor!), she eventually broke down in tears ... poor thing. So we walked with her and the nanny to the lunch room, and said bye-bye for today.
A little later we were taking a walk to see the premises, and got to see the room where she sleeps together with a dozen other toddlers. It was nap time, so they were in their beds supposed to be going to sleep. A couple of boys were standing up, smiling and jumping around to get our attention... and a couple of rows back, Olivia started doing the same thing. With clear eye contact and smiles from a distance, we took it as an invitation to come over. She immediately sat down and got very shy again when we got to her bed and gave her a little pad on the back. But when we walked away, she kept looking at us for a looong time, even through the glass window of the door when we had left the room. So we got her attention. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
My experience of the day was similar but I would also like to add that there was also some genuine contact with her even in the artificial surroundings in that office.
ReplyDeleteI was clowning for her while drinking my water, looking away then stealing occasional glances at her. She was looking intently at me drinking and then also permitted some eye contact when I looked at her. She looked away but sometimes looked back.
I feel that we certainly got her attention. Tonight she is dreaming about the two strangers that were so interested in her and tomorrow maybe those two will be a little less strange.
I hope so because it is going to be just the three of us here in the apartment tomorrow. We are anyway equipped, both emotionally - with lots of love - and physically - with ear plugs - for whatever happens.
Oh Aaron, i am inpatient to hear more about this great experience. I know though you will be very busy in the coming days.
DeleteYour voice is still fresh in my ears that i can hear you telling your story :)
let your heart be your guide.
I doubt you will mange to sleep although you bought ear plugs :)
all the best
Ihab
How special to share this journey with you! its a privellege to hear and see such an amazing journey. our love is with all three of you as you get to know each other. big hugs xx Sam
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