Lesson Learned and Daddy's Girl

We were waiting in the hall last night waiting for the pizza with Lillie and some of her friends. She was practicing her walking a little and went to see another dad. It was okay at first but then we experienced the big meltdown. She must have realized that none of us look like her nanny and was confused by another dad. I have been reading a lot of books about attachment but I think we both learned to stick by the rules. Lillie has a special doctor at the International Adoption Clinic. She wrote us some advice so we thought we should share it with all of you so you can be prepared.

"We always recommend that parents be the “go to” people for at least four months, ideally six. By that I mean, the folks who get up with her in the middle of the night (of course), put her to bed, there when she wakes up in the morning, give her baths, feed her, change her diaper, comfort her. As much as possible we recommend that she not be held by anyone but her parents and maybe one or at most two other people. If you can choose one or two people who you can call on for back up as needed and try not to expand beyond that number of caregivers for about four months, it would be ideal. Lilile is at a good age to bond and you have a good three/four months to be with her before returning to work, that’s wonderful. She should do well. Let folks visit, not too many at a time, help with chores, but warn them ahead of time that it’s not a good idea for them to hold her now and to stay away if they are sick."

We plan to follow the rules from now on. My friend, Kelly, pointed out that Lillie will be around for a long time so everyone will get their turn later. She cried herself to sleep last night and missed the pizza party. She also learned that her dad is a very soft touch. Below is a picture of the first bottle with Dad.

Lillie is a Daddy's girl on Day 3. She also prefers to be carried by her Dad. She likes to be as high as possible to see everything. After our tour today, we picked up some more tylenol at the pharmacy and went to the grocery. She is taking three hour naps so we see a few sights in the morning and take it easy in the afternoon. She ate pork congee for dinner and is feeling better with a lower temp after her first real diaper. She also had her first phone call from home today. Ma Ma Becki called before breakfast but Lillie would only cry a little.

This is one more picture from our visit to the Green Mountain. We are going to a museum tomorrow and will try to go to the People's Park after naptime.