Jonas is settling in just fine. It has gone way better than I ever anticipated! It's only been in the past few days he has begun to push the boundaries and test us. No fears, we have been firm and kept the boundaries. There are very few things he won't eat. He tries to say we doesn't like something when he thinks it looks bad, but we insist our children try everything once or twice. And most the time when he takes a bite he finds he does like it!
He is getting used to our pets. At first he was afraid of our cats. And really I can see why. you'd have to have 3 Haitian ones to make up one of our big cats. He will now pet them and not jump every time they come by. He was utterly fascinated with my turtle. He likes to watch me feed him. :)
FRUIT IS HUGE!
FRUIT IS HUGE!Michelle told me she couldn't keep enough in stock at their house. And I have to confess I thought she was over exaggerating a bit. So, sorry Michelle....you were right!!!! He LOVES fruit!!!! I have all kinds, fresh, frozen and canned. So for those of you who are waiting for your kids, just know they LOVE fruit!
Jonas doesn't care for pasta. sigh...so sad for mama, but healthier for him! He really never has liked it, even in Haiti.
THINGS I DO NOT LIKE:
A wet toilet seat!!!!! I WILL teach that boy how to put the toilet seat up!!!!
He doesn't know how to play by himself! (we are working on that and he is doing much better!)
SWEET THINGS:
I asked Todd that when he and Jonas left the O to come home, to please put a few dollars in his pocket.I had read that this little thing can help the child feel a little bit more secure in leaving their only surrounding they have ever known. So Todd gave him $3. Once they got home we had breakfast and went to church. During the service men hold offering baskets down front and people can bring forth their offerings. Well, Jonas was intrigued by this and asked Todd what it was for. Todd explained that it was an offering to God to say thank you for all he does for us. Jonas reached in his pocket and asked Todd if he too could say thank you. Uh... yeah! It was so sweet! Todd had tears, of course.
One day he was getting really riled up. So I had him come sit on my lap. I started rocking and before I knew it he was fast asleep. It was the BEST 2 hours I have spent in a long time!!!!
FUNNY THINGS:
Jonas speaks creole to every black person we come in contact with! Think about it, Haitian people are black/brown skinned people. Very few white people speak fluent creole. So to him it only makes sense that anyone who is black here would speak creole. I have to tell him, "English Jonas, speak English."
He LOVES cars, trucks, trains, construction equipment!!! It's all machines to him! He gets so mad at me when I don't drive up to the huge crane that is doing construction on out expressway. Seriously he got mad at!!!! He gets so excited when he sees them. The bigger the better for him!
SERIOUS THINGS:
He does not understand the concept of boundaries and strangers. The best explanation I can give is in Haiti there were none. The orphanage is housed behind a 8ft wall. The kids could basically play within them, very few places were off limits to them. The O gets a new team of volunteers every month. All or most of them are strangers to the kids. But they were there to love on them. So the kids don't understand that there are boundaries when dealing with people.
One thing that has helped is when we go to stores, I put him in the cart immediately. He doesn't have a choice. And because he doesn't know any differently, he doesn't fight me. This has kept his running off and talking to strangers from being an issue.
IMPORTANT THINGS:
I have found I use certain words or commands more than others. So it would be a good idea to know these when your children come home.
-don't touch
-don't do that
- hot and cold (this is a BIG one. Especially in the kitchen)
-later (helps hold off things he is asking for)
- eat
-hurt? (Todd learned this one and it helps us know if he is
hurt)
- what is this? (it helps us learn things in creole)
-lay down or time to go to sleep
We went to the library on Saturday. It was a great place to teach...shhhhh quiet, and no running! They have a big pirate ship type thing that little ones can play on. Jonas loved it! So I thought I would share some pictures
Hugs, Kristina
11 comments:
Thanks for the all pictures and to let us know how things are going. It makes me so happy to see you with your little guy at home!
Whew! That was a long post, but so worth the read! Thanks for sharing!
Well, his "GODfamily" here in Florida is missing him already. He is just PRECIOUS and we LOVE him so much! Who knew you could love someone so much who you have never met before! I cried when I saw all the pictures and stories and especially when he ran into your arms at the airport! OH...I can only imagine how your heart felt at that very moment! I love you dear friend! Please give all those Burnett kids a big ole hug from Aunt Becka!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
So glad to hear it! It will take time but it's all so worth it and it sounds like he's a very flexible little boy which will make all the other "stuff" fall into place easily, hopefully.
Kristina,
Words can not express how happy we are for you! WOW! God is great! We'll keep praying for Ellie to come home too. Love you guys and miss seeing you at church.
Thanks for sharing about your time with Jonas since he's been home as well as important info. that the rest of us can use when our children come home! It's great to see him doing so well...and to see you "glow." :o)
So cute about Jonas wanting to use his Creole words!
The boundaries will come, but I gotta tell ya, my nephew was born in the US and just walks off and talks to everyone... everywhere. I'm sure they'll get along just fine. :)
I've been looking forward to getting to know more about Jonas and his personality. It sounds like he's adjusting really, really well.
I can't wait to meet Jonas!!! :)
It's so great to hear things are going well with Jonas!!
I just wanted to ask how things are going with Ellie??
Great update, Kris! Does this mean I can say, "I told you so!" ; )
i laughed so hard about him speaking creole to black people!! it makes perfect sense!! kris, this was a great post! i'm sure there were helpful gems for many many parents to pick out. i think it can really help others as they begin to transition! thank you for sharing! i can't wait to come visit him!
What a fun post. I am so happy to hear about his love for fruit! And I'm with Jonas- Pasta... eh. It's okay. Give me taters any day! But J probably would prefer rice.
It is so great to get these "insight" type updates, Kristina. Helps us know how better to prepare. Thank you!
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