Love is a Chicken Nugget

May 25, 2010

Golden nuggets of wisdom and other tidbits from big sister Olivia

Each morning at breakfast I send Dale with the girls to the breakfast buffet to pick out what they want and to bring back something to appease Benjamin while I fix his plate and mine. Today while Dale headed back for juice for them I asked Olivia if Ben could have one of her chicken nuggets, which she grudgingly gave up. A few minutes later after Benjamin made a funny face, making Abigail and I laugh out loud I asked Abigail and Olivia if they love their little brother. Abigail said yes right away and smiled. I've never seen her laugh so much before Benjamin joined our family. He is truly funny and his laugh is contagious. Olivia was eating her breakfast and didn't say anything so I asked her again if she loves him. She rolled her eyes a bit and replied, "I gave him my chicken nugget, didn't I?" I forget sometimes, to Olivia, food is love. She loved him a little bit more at lunch time when she shared her sandwich and cookie without prompting and again at dinner when she offered half of her apple juice when Ben's didn't arrive right away. She's coming around, one meal at a time. :o)

Yesterday when we ate lunch at Subway we met an American man who is here on business, Mr. Alan Holder. He is here alone and missing his family, which includes an adopted Chinese daughter named Amanda. He and Olivia shared a long conversation while we ordered lunch and got everyone settled. He shared with her that he is lonely without his family here since his wife didn't want to travel. To that she said, "Well, at least you got some peace and quiet, don'tcha?" Mr. Holder died laughing.

This morning was our Consulate appointment. Jocelyn and Kathy from our agency went in our place with all of our visa documents and Benjamin's passport and physical information. I stayed in our room as instructed from 10:00 to 12:00 in case there was a problem and they needed to call. I sent Dale with the kids down to the play room. There was no need for all of us to be cooped up in the matchbox. (Remember, yesterday it was a shoebox? Well, that room continues to grow smaller and smaller every day). The call came from Kathy at 11:30 that all is well and we'll be receiving Ben's visa without a hitch. Yippee! Not that I expected any problems, but who ever does?

To celebrate this next hurdle being jumped Dale took the girls to the pool while Benjamin and I went out strolling and shopping. Now I believe I've inserted a few photos already of some of the brides and grooms we've spotted, but today we hit the jackpot. I finally stopped counting the happy couples after 7. At one time there was one on every corner of the intersection we were crossing. Shamien Island is quite the hotspot for wedding pictures, despite the construction going on. The gardens are still beautifully maintained and make for a great backdrop. At one point one of the brides was changing into a different gown. The groom, the photographer, and his assistant held up a portable changing room right there on the street and after a few minutes the bride tossed her gown over the top and emerged in a different dress. It was hysterical.

This afternoon we had the "red couch" photos, an adoptive family tradition where our adoption group meets to take family and group photos. The fun really begins when all the family pics are done and then all the babies are placed together on the red couch for a group shot. It's got to happen quickly or many of the babies will be crying before the first click. New moms are the worse for turning loose and jumping back fast enough for a good photo. Personally, I think the whole affair is quite hysterical, and apparently so did Benjamin. While half the babies were looking around at the other half crying my boy was laughing. I'm not sure what he found to be so funny, probably all of us goofy parents trying to coax impossible smiles out of the criers.

We topped off our day with a bit of shopping and dinner at Lucy's. We can get a great cup of egg-drop noodleflower soup there for Benjamin and quite a few American style dishes to tempt Abigail's testy tastebuds. We've learned that the secret to get Benjamin to eat vegetables is to cover them in ketchup...broccoli, peppers, cucumber...yeah, I know. Gross! But hey! It works for him. Perhaps I should try dipping everything I want Abigail to eat in chocolate.

Abigail has really surprised me this trip. She is very quiet and observant most of the time. Usually you have to ask her to find out what she's thinking. Since becoming a fam of five she has been the ultimate helper! I seldom ask her to do anything for Benjamin, but I find she's there at the ready. I'll turn to do something for him and find her already there. Today while she was coloring he toddled over to her and climbed up on the bed next to her. She gave him a colored pencil and allowed him to scribble away on the next page. She's so patient and loving toward him. I hope she'll always feel so patient with him. I pray we ALL will. :o)

COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

The group photo of all the adopted children is hysterical!! -niki
Posted by: niki on May 25, 2010 at 06:33 A.M.
It sounds like everyone is finding their special place in your growing family. Can't wait to see everyone again.Love and miss you all.
Posted by: susan evans on May 25, 2010 at 06:45 A.M.
I could have picked him out on that couch even if I had never seen his picture before:)

He is fitting right in to the Croy clan.
Can't wait until Saturday so I can see you all. Keep posting!

Cindi
Posted by: Aunt Cindi on May 25, 2010 at 07:38 A.M.


*Well, we have another Croy boy and it looks like he'll fit in just fine. Can't wait to see all of you when you get back. What time do you get back into Tampa and on what flight? We would love to meet you guys at the airport.
Posted by: Uncle Bill & Aunt Debbie on May 25, 2010 at 07:26 P.M.


*What do you mean that food means love "to Olivia?" Doesn't it mean that to everyone? Olivia is your family Confucius on this trip :-) Glad you are finished with the formalities and preparing to travel home. You are missed... (although I don't know what I will do when you return home and stop blogging!)
Posted by: Teresa on May 26, 2010 at 03:56 A.M.