Second, I have come to realize something about the attaching process. I'm sure this will sound very obvious to most of you, but it really is something I wish I would have accepted when we first brought Isaiah home.
This "Aha idea" is that attachment takes time. I expected it to happen all at once, but I wish I had realized it just wouldn't. This seems so obvious; however, I really wanted to see "attaching" immediately. Now, I feel silly that I had these expectations. Or, maybe I just wanted it all to be super easy. I think I wanted to think that I would do everything perfectly so Isaiah would attach right away to us. But, some things just take time. It takes time to establish new patterns and trust. The other day, we were playing "This little piggy" with Isaiah's toes, and I remembered those first few days when we entertained him with this new game. Everything was new to him back in September, but now, he knows what to expect because we have done it so many times. The same thing is true with eating. Now, when we sit down at the table for a meal, he immediately starts chanting, "Pray, pray!" He knows that is what has to happen before we eat, and he is ready to do it. Night time is also a sweet time. We read our Bible story with the kids, pray, and give bedtime hugs and kisses. He has grown to love this time on the couch with our whole family, and I love to see how he knows the routine and plays his part on cue, giving each person their hug and kiss.
Yesterday, I was blessed to get a day away on a women's retreat. When I came home, Isaiah came running, arms outstretched, yelling, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" I don't have to tell you how sweet it was to have a fresh reminder that time has led to some major attaching.
It was so different than this picture when he came tentatively to us in Ethiopia. I'm so thankful God led us through those first days to this very sweet place.
