New Toy Day!

It was a great day... everything about today was GREAT! It wasn't too hot and we had a nice breeze today (but not too windy like yesterday). When we got downstairs today just before 9am our driver and translator were already here, they are always very prompt which is nice! It was just us today... no stoping at another guesthouses or creche.  It was wonderful getting to know other families in this process, ones I have known via Facebook for awhile now and been praying for, but it is also nice to experience this alone too. With a stop a the grocery store we made it to the creche by 9:45, the earliest we have been there so far has been 10:30 (but usually later). We had tons of time with our boy today, YAY!

R really likes to hang out on the balcony.  When did wonder down to the yard today and played and ran around a little but as soon as we walk outside he starts sweating, I think he likes the change of scenery but he really does not enjoy being out there long.

When we stopped at the store this morning, we picked up a couple new toys. They were both BIG HITS today with R and his friends.  After 9 days of the same toys, a change was nice for him and for us. The tractor was his favorite for the new toys, we spent some time outside today digging in rocks!

I cannot remember if I have mentioned this in one of my posts but R really really loves to stare off the balcony at everything below.  This is new for him, not many of the little ones go up to the balcony very often.  Every time he hears that squeaky gate open he stops whatever he is doing (even eating which is one of his favorite activities) to see what "machin" (Creole for car) is coming.  He can stand there for awhile just watching all the sights! 

Most days we stop at the store on our way to the creche and get water, gatorade and snacks. We have been getting R these pates (meat pie is the translation) for his lunch.  They are a meat filled pastry.  He seems to really like them.  We buy them for him and for our driver and translator.  Ethan and I have branched out and even been eating them, they are different but pretty good. 

It has become clear the last week that R has never learned to show much love and affection.  The last couple days but mostly today we have been trying to show him how to hug and give kisses.  This is not uncommon at all in children that have lived most/all their lives in orphanage care (as you can imagine).  We have been trying to show him as much affection as we can.  Ethan has been trying to teach him to kiss.  He will kiss the air then afterward touch his mouth to Ethan's head or cheek!  It is pretty cute to watch him try and to watch him learning how to give affection.  Our sweet boy today also got hurt today.  But awful but enough to make that sweet boy cry, first cries we have ever heard from him. While giving him love and cuddles, comforting him, it broke my heart to think that this may be the first time he has ever been loved on and cuddle when he was hurt. 

Looking forward to the rest of this bonding trip and getting sad already to leave him here. Looking forward to the day we can bring him home and continue watching him grow!