For being here just a week, Jude is doing well, but overall he's had some challenges adjusting. He feels very safe in our house with Matthew and I, but anytime we go out of the house with him to visit church or anything else, we generally can expect a major episode either that day or the day after as he cries and just laments. I have held him through more than one forty minute crying session. Our hearts break for him.
On Monday evening, he went into mourning for a full twenty-four hours. He had a horrible crying session on Monday night, and then on Tuesday he literally sat on my lap the entire day either crying, sleeping, or just sucking his finger and staring at the wall. He only ate a little bit at lunch, and was just very sullen all day. In the evening, he started to perk up a little, and he's been off and on since. We are very watchful that he doesn't get overwhelmed.
Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it can be very difficult on the child for the first few weeks and months. To us, we have a wonderful addition to our family. To him, he's been kidnapped by strangers. One of the best things we can do for him is to "protect him" from so many wonderful and well-intentioned people who want so badly to touch him, because that's too scary for him. We've been as careful as possible to keep him away from crowds.
However, when he's at home and feeling safe he is a real scream. He's so fun and brings such delight. He is all boy, through and through, just how God made him: he likes to beat, throw, kick, push, chase and wrestle - and all of those things just delight him!
As soon as we have the computer with our photos back, we'll post some so you can see his fun little face!
