Sidney's New World

Sidney’s personality is changing on a daily basis as we learn about this pint sized bundle of energy. I am watching what the human spirit can overcome in its truest form. Here are a few things we have witnessed over the last few days……
Despite Sidney’s 3 cm limb difference (about an inch), she can walk independently. We are filled with excitement and FEAR about the prospect of her getting shoes to accommodate the difference in length. This means she will have speed on her side. We will be chasing her!

Green beans are the vilest food I ever had the displeasure of eating. We are feeding Sidney as many fruits and vegetables as possible to make up for the lack of nutrition she received in the orphanage. Much of the food was starch, including rice and fried noodles. We assume this was a cost saving measure. As I watched one bean after another disappear into her mouth , I choked back the acid rising in my stomach and cheered her on as she took a second serving.

Sidney adores her brother, and her brother is learning to adore his sister! Three years of preparation could not prepare him for the dethroning which took place when his sister made her appearance. Factor in Sidney’s age. This is not a baby sitting idly in her mother’s arms. She is active and into everything. I personally love it, and Eli is learning to adapt. He is wonderful. Loves to help his sister in the car seat with a safety check by mom, waits for her to wake up from naps to play, and like any brother, can’t stand sharing his toys with his sister.

Attachment is a huge deal in adoption. Positive signs include eye to eye contact; a child who offers to feed their parent, and allowing a parent to be affectionate. We are experiencing all of this, and luckily, Sidney prefers her mother over anyone else. When visiting the doctor, Eli insisted he also needed to sit in my lap. Given the difference in my children’s sizes one can only imagine our appearance. As Pete and Shorty balanced precariously on my lap (people from Iowa know this greasy spoon, it is the nickname I have been calling them), Sidney reached over to push her brother out of my lap. A “my mommy,” look appeared on her face. This was a very positive sign. Another positive sign is that Sidney had a meltdown tonight and allowed me to comfort her while she laid her head on my shoulder. This is first time she has allowed herself to lay her head on my shoulder for more than a few seconds and to be comforted while I rubbed her back. This was a breakthrough in the adoption world.

Sidney is learning about the world. Prior to the day, we brought her back to the hotel for the first night; she had never ridden in a car or been outside the orphanage. In two weeks, she has ridden in several vehicles, stayed in two hotels, gone on an international and domestic flight traveling for 25 hours straight, learned to ride nicely in a new car seat, had many blood tests done, and learned to function well in an environment, oh so different from the orphanage. This includes going with mom to the store in an over stimulating environment and feeling grass tickle the bottoms of her feet for the first time while she screamed!

I list Sidney’s hands last, because she has adapted so well, it is difficult to tell she is missing two fingers on each hand. We will take her to an orthopedist and geneticist in Iowa City next month. We assume the orthopedist will suggest separating the webbed fingers on her right hand, to give her as much use of her fingers as possible. We are unsure about her left hand. It appears the middle finger might have an extra bone. We will also seek a lift in her shoe for the shorter of the two legs.

Thanks for everyone’s kind thoughts, prayers, and words over the past few weeks. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more about this amazing kid!