Annabelle's Adjustment

We have known of our daughter since May 2014.  We've read her files, had therapists, doctors, dentist and anyone who was a specialist in adoption or medical field look at her history.  I can say she has completely blown us away with her adjustment and growth!  There are things we were pleasantly shocked at and other things we did not expect. 

May 2014

January 2015 (only 8 months later)

We have come to learn that now is the time to cocoon.  What that means is that we will have to be staying at home a lot for now.  She has been in the orphanage the majority of her life.  She does not know what a family is.  She does not know what a mom/dad and brothers are.  She does adore us but it has not really sunk in that we are a permanent family. 

I want to share with you these things because we need your help and support now more than ever.  Keeping her close to us and at home will teach her security and what family life is about. She needs to understand that we are her security and her support.  Her life was interrupted and the design and emotional foundation for a family was never instilled into her. 

Right now she will go to anyone because I am telling her everything is ok.  She does not meet a stranger.  This is not good with attachment.   

The good news is that she has a forever family and we can rebuild the attachment and help her heal from her hard past.

Here is what we need from you.  We are very open to short visits but right now we need to be the only ones to hold, touch, soothe and instruct her.  The longer she gets into her routine with us the more she will build this trust and find security.  We plan to still get out, go to the store, go to church and keep many things as normal as we can. 

What we ask of you is to please understand this TEMPORARY transition of not being held, touched, soothed or give any direction to her.  Once we are out of the cocooning stage she will have the ability to have healthy relationships outside of her family. 

Please continue to pray for us and feel free to ask any questions.  I love hearing from you and want to share if you want to know more about what we are going through.  Please feel free to come visit too! (just text me first to make sure she's not asleep) I definitely do not want to feel trapped at home.  As long as we keep our visits short and the physical boundaries we will be fine. 

I cannot tell you how much each of you means to us and how your support/encouragement have carried us through this journey.  We love you all

Here are some pictures of the first time she saw her room....