Relaxing End of Summer

We had a relaxing weekend at home with no real plans. This is exciting considering our September weekend calendar is almost completely full. I have started contracting some writing again, so I spent a blissful and quiet 3 hours writing in the library on Saturday afternoon. Afterward we decided to eat Chinese food in our local restaurant.

The owners of the restaurant are aware of our adoption story and made an effort to help us when we sent Sidney’s care, package prior to travel, with a handwritten note across the top of the letter. They have told us more than once about vacationing in Chenzhou city where Sidney lived in the orphanage. One of the owners immediately spotted Sidney, and said “you have her!” I know we have been home over a year, but we have not been in this particular restaurant.

One of the owners spoke English with her, knelt down to her level, and talked with her about the fish tank. She was so sweet with Sidney. After a period of time, we went back to eating, and a few minutes later another relative and the grandmother of the group appeared, huddled around Sidney. At first Sidney stood in the booth and took in her new found friends. When the two ladies began speaking in Chinese, Sidney immediately reached for Tom across the table, getting as far away as possible. Luckily, the women thought she was just shy. This is not typical behavior from Sidney. She usually talks to anyone who comes her way. It was amazing to see the grandma of the family and her face lighting up in meeting a Chinese toddler. She had the widest smile.


After they left, she climbed back into my lap. This is the first time in months I have seen Sidney with the somber blank stare she had during the first few months home. Her expression and demeanor has slowly changed. If I look back at photos of Christmas (five months home), she has a completely different expression than she does now. It didn’t surprise me this happened, but I thought enough time had passed or she would not have this reaction. Something about hearing this sent up a red flag. I guess this type of reaction might be the same reason she scratches her scalp really hard when she is overly tired or twists her thumb in her ear.

Tomorrow Sidney and I visit the physical therapist again. We are still using a spacer between her fingers to prevent web creep from coming back where her fingers were separated and a brace and spacer of the same material on the other hand, to keep her fingers straight. We are having some issues keeping them on her at night, so we are going back to see if there is something that can be done.

On to another busy week of school, taekwondo lessons, writing, and getting ready for games on the first day of Sunday School. As a side note, it was not Mom's idea to go without shoes at the public park. Dad made let them keep their shoes off.