Ranjit Day Two

Our first night went pretty well!  The kids fell right asleep last night and had no problems until Jackson woke up coughing around 3am.  We realized with losing what day it was we also forgot to give him his allergy medication.  We got up and gave it to him along with some couh medicine.  All this commotion woke Ranjit and he thought it was time to get up.  I sent Jackson in bed with jack and I took Jackson’s spot next to RJ.  He was good and laid back down with me.  It took him a little while but he finally fell back to sleep by singing to himself :) and slept until Emma and I tried to sneak out of bed around 7:45.  He woke up and looked around and said “Jackson??”  wondering where his brother was.

We headed down to our first breakfast at the hotel restaurant.  Breakfast is included so I just expected something small but there was a HUGE buffet with everything you could want from any ethnic category.  I was so glad hoping they would have something Ranjit would eat so I made him up a plate with fruit, sambar and idli.  He shouted “IDLI!!” and I felt relieved that I found something he recognized, however he did not want to eat it.  He gulped down some mango juice and ate the melon I got him but that was it.  I had a boiled egg for him and he ate the yolk.  Then the chef comes out with a plate of pancakes for Jackson (not sure how this came about, if he asked for them or if he just thought it would be something he would like).  He proceeded to also put one on Ranjit’s plate and he ate it right up and wanted more.  Apparently my son doesn’t like Indian food as much as we do, how ironic!

When we got back from the orphanage yesterday we headed for our room and didn’t really come out.  This morning on the way to breakfast was the first time we had really come into contact with anyone.  The hotel staff were all smiles and love for us.  We haven’t really said anything to them about our adoption but I’m guessing they figured it out ;).  The restaurant staff are so gracious and helping as well.  This hotel has been absolutely top notch and we’re so thankful.  The only problem is that it is quite farther out of the main area than we had thought so paying drivers for anything we want to do wasn’t exactly what we were planning for.  So, I’m still undecided whether it was the best choice or not.  Kinda wish I could just pick it up and move it to someplace a little closer.

Jack had to leave and go back to the orphanage after breakfast to meet with our lawyer.  He said everyone there was wondering how Ranjit is doing and were so glad to hear he’s doing well for now.  We’re taking each good day as we can as they come.

We ventured down the street to a little corner store and I bought Ranjit some yogurt & parle-G.  I also bought a loaf of bread because I had brought an emergency jar of that goober peanut butter and jelly in case Emma and Jackson needed some comfort food.  Turns out Ranjit just likes American food because he devoured a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, yogurt covered raisins, applesauce and a banana.  Who knew he’d be the one needing the emergency PB&J!

The pool at our hotel is under maintenance and that was pretty much what we were planning for the kids to do for these first few days.  I made it fun for them anyone and brought the cup, bucket and stool from both bathrooms into one shower and let them all play in these dumping water on each other and then they asked for sponges to wash the walls.  Weirdo children but they had tons of fun and played in there for almost two hours until housekeeping came to clean the room and I had to hurry and clean up all the water!

When they were playing in the shower I got to hear Ranjit’s belly laugh for the first time.  Music my ears!  He’s got the most fun giggle.  I read several books on adopting children and particularly older ones and I was preparing myself for the worst.  I remember praying for his laugh and asking God how long I would have to wait to hear it.  I’m so thankful it was so soon.  I know things can still get worse with his grieving but I’m so thankful to get this glimpse of him first.

This afternoon I got the kids school work out, including the writing books Ranjit had been using.  He does have some muscle problems so they told us to make sure he didn’t skip too many days with his writing to keep up his grasp.  I wrote some words for him to copy and he did good at first but then got very quiet.  He wouldn’t really talk or put his head up.  I scooped him up and sat with him for a bit and finally got him to talk a little and he agreed to do a little more with me and then he could be done.  I think maybe using the same notebooks made him remember and it made him sad.  I think I’ll let him use one of the other kids notebooks tomorrow.  I’m so glad he was willing to go back to it with me and finish.  I want to be sensitive with him but also want him to know he can do this.

We ventured out to the mall again tonight and actually made it to the right one this time (I think??).  Emma wanted to get another Barbie because Ranjit is having so much fun playing with the one she got the other day and this way they can play together.  I also had to break down and buy a little makeup.  I know it shouldn’t matter but the shiny face and tired eyes in all my pictures was driving me nuts.  I just bought powder and mascara but man I didn’t realize how expensive makeup is here.  As far as I can tell you can only buy it from the counters in the mall and of course that’s priced pretty high.  Oh well, I feel better not being so oily all day.

While at the mall we REALLY got a taste of having a multicultural family.  We got a lot of stares and some not so nice looks.  Ranjit was very quiet the whole time and had to be holding one of our hands (which we would’ve made him anyway).  We made it through that first outing and I felt like I held my head a little higher.  I thought go ahead and stare, I’m so very proud that this is my son.  I know that for him to stay with his own culture would be the best but that wasn’t possible for him so he comes with us :)

We got to skype with Grandma, Papa, Laila and the Petersons tonight so that was fun :)  Ranjt said a few hellos but he and Jackson were too busy playing with their new toys and daddy was too busy carrying them around upside down making them giggle like crazy :D

When it was time for bed Ranjit was so excited to brush his teeth again and rounded up the other kids to join him.  Then we tucked in and said our prayers.  At first RJ wanted to pray but then said no, and I told him that was fine.  As we were giving kisses he put his head under the blanket so I said “hey, are you hiding??” and I heard a sad little cracked voice say “yes.”  I pull back the covers and he was crying.  I crawled right in and “big spooned” him and told him it was perfectly Ok to cry and it is perfectly Ok to be sad.  I brought him in my bed for awhile and he laid staring at me not speaking for a long time.  Then he spoke something softly in marathi that I couldn’t understand.  I asked him to repeat and he did but I still couldn’t understand.  It just about did me in that he was willing to share whatever it was with me but I didn’t have the words.  I just pulled him close and told him again that it is OK to be sad.  A few minutes later Jackson came in and needed a tissue and Ranjit decided he wanted to go back to bed with him so I tucked him in and started to walk away and he said “no, you.”  so I stayed in bed with all three kids until they were asleep.  I can’t even imagine his heart.  He seems joyful but at the same time his loss is so great.  I pray this was the beginning of him understanding that there will be no judgement or punishment from us for being sad about his past.  It’s a part of who he is and it is sad.  I’ve cried over it several times.  Say a little extra prayer for his heart tonight would you?

Well off to bed.  I contemplated not blogging because I’m tired but I know I’ll want to remember every minute of this and with my terrible memory I know it will fade away if I don’t get it down.  I hope he cherishes reading it someday.