Tender Mercy

Last night I received a message on facebook from a woman who had travelled to Edik's country and was able to spend two mornings with our baby boy.  You may not understand what a gift this is to our family.  She was able to email me photos of our son and a letter full of information about Edik.  It is hard to express how special this really is.  You see, in the country where Edik lives, it is common to recieve no additional information or photos of the child you are adopting until you actually go to the orphanage. 

I will share her letter with you, editing a few things out for privacy purposes.

Hi!
 

I'll jump straight in to telling you about my time with your darling boy! He is SUCH a sweet little baby.
 

When we saw 'Edik' he was in hospital for a chest infection that had been going around the baby house. Edik was such a sweet, easy-going little guy - sooo adorable! He was very easy to engage - looked you in the eye quite quickly, held the toy we brought and really interacted with it, seemed to enjoy tummy time. Gorgeous sweetie! I fed him his bottle on the second day - we couldn't believe how fast he sucked it down!! Definitely an eating champ! They were feeding him formula every three hours at the time. He seemed to be doing so well developmentally.
 

Both mornings when I came in, Edik was sleeping. They told me they gave the babies 'medicine' to 'help them sleep', and that they didn't cry much since they weren't used to being held - both statements said very matter-of-factly, and very sad things to hear for this mommy. I cried. A lot. And cuddled them as much as I could for those two short mornings. :( I woke him up both times - figured interaction would be better than napping, since he seems to get more than enough naps. Like I said, it was not hard at all to get him to look me in the eye and engage. The second day we brought in a baby toy...Edik took to it right away!! He loved it! Then my translator put him on his tummy, and he did amazing head/chest lifts - so strong for a three-month old, especially one with low muscle tone!

 

I asked the dr there if he had a heart condition (since many children with Down Syndrome do) and it was unclear - they seemed to think he might, but it seemed like they were assuming he did because of his Down Syndrome and didn't necessarily know. Anyway, that part got lost a bit in translation for me.

Oh, I changed his nappy and noticed he has quite a herniated belly button. No big deal but possibly something to deal with when he gets home.

Blessings!

 

I have read her letter so many times and I know I will read it many, many, more.  Here are a few of the precious photos that she was able to email to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh how I wish we could go get him today! 

We are getting closer sweet boy, we love you so much! 

And to the kind and loving woman across the world who took the time to hold and cuddle our sweet boy, I don't have words (only happy tears)to express our thanks to you.