He's down for his nap. So I'll repeat the blogging plan that I used yesterday.
Last night's sleep went very well. I was unsure what would happen, but he slept the night through until 4 am. This is the time that Jerry usually got up when he was here in order to get a couple hours of work in before the day began for the rest of us. Several mornings, but not all, Noah would get up around 4 or 5, whimper a little, then go out to the livingroom and sit in his chair. Most times he would fall back asleep, and other times he would just sit. You know the old joke: sometimes I sets and thinks and other times I just sets. I'm not sure which he would do.
So this morning he got up at 4, whimpered a little until I opened the bedroom door, and he went over to his chair. I asked very softly if he wanted to go back to bed, but he just shook his head no and stayed in the chair. I didn't push it, knowing that when little ones first wake up they are often disoriented. I didn't want to upset his little routine, so I just left him there and went back to bed, leaving the bedroom door open so I could hear any noise. At 45 minutes later, I heard him whimpering.
When Erik was a baby we learned that sleep cycles last 45 minutes, then a new one starts, but in between is a period of very light sleep. For a while (several months actually) Erik would wake up regularly every 45 minutes. When he first got home, he would wake up and cry so totally and completely. It was heart-wrenching, poor little guy. I would be able to get him back to sleep after a while, but it was just a combination of being disoriented and being tired and missing his life with his foster mother, that it was just awful for him. After a week maybe, I really don't remember well, I was in such a sleep-deprived fog, I started sleeping in his bedroom. Within another week, if I was nearby he would just look up, smile as if he were reassured that everything was ok, and would immediately go back to sleep. We learned quite a lot about sleep with that one.
Anyway, Noah woke up slightly at 45 minutes and whimpered. I came out to the livingroom and stood next to him, and he went back to sleep. Sometime later, I heard a noise, and noticed that he had crawled back in his bed and was rolling over. So, long story, but he made it back to his bed eventually, and then woke up at about 6:30 I think totally smiling.
We got dressed, went down for breakfast, said goodbye to the Canadian couple, and then just got down to the business of playing. Oh, I forgot to mention that there was also an American couple here for a few days, on their visit/test/interview trip. We didn't get much chance to talk to them, but I am glad to see that there are now two families that have recently received referrals and are moving through the process.
The morning was a repeat of much of the day yesterday: some playdoh, some walking, some reading, some ball playing, some block playing, some train playing, and some playing on the terrace. He had a really fun time hunting and chasing down some dried bourgainvillea petals that were blowing around on the terrace. They would collect in one of the corners, so he'd go get them and carry them out, only to set them down on a table and have them blow away. So he'd chase them down, catch some, and laugh when he succeeded. We are getting very good at applauding for all accomplishments.
We did get to skype home, and I think Noah really understood seeing Jerry, Mario, and Erik on the computer monitor. He was smiling and would wave his hand out to them, so that was great. I wasn't sure how much of it he would get, but it seemed to sink in enough to make it possible and worthwhile for us to do it. They have five inches of snow at home! And their luggage was lost!! I guess it is just as well we are not there because I am really enjoying all this sunshine and warm weather.
I have obviously wondered why it was that we weren't able to travel with them, and I think part of it is so that Noah can have some one on one time with Mommy. He is loving being able to totally dominate my time, and of course I am enjoying getting to play with him without any other distractions. Much as I of course love the rest of my family and miss them and want to be together, there are definitely benefits this way too. Just hope it won't go on too much longer.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Suyapa, the 266th anniversary I believe, and is a big deal here for the people of Honduras. I love Mary very much, and have been asking for her intercession during this whole trip. I know that there are probably people that are reading this blog that don't understand Catholic devotion to the Blessed Mother, and if you are one of them, please feel free to send me a note (as long as it is polite), and I would be happy to answer your questions. The short answer is that Catholics honor Mary because she is the Mother of God. We don't worship her. Worship and adoration is reserved for God alone. But in His goodness, He gave us His own mother to help and intercede for us. It is just one more amazing thing about God that He let us participate in blessings for each other.
Nap time will be over soon, so I better cut this off now.
Funny, as soon as I finished typing that, I could hear him cry, after 45 minutes of napping. The rest of the afternoon went basically well, much the same as it did yesterday. More tears though; I wonder if he is missing Jerry and the boys.
He seems to be speaking and babbling much more every day, which is really wonderful. Have heard several instances of "Hola," and I think he might have said "no" as well. A whole variety of other sounds: roaring of course, woofing at the dog in the next yard, pretend snoring, and all sorts of babbling sounds. It's not where a two year old normally is, but we'll give that full attention when we get home.
So that's about it. Skyped home again and learned that the luggage arrived, so that is great. I am out of words.