1/22/09

She...

...fills me to bursting.
This is her latest "charm tactic". She long ago learned that if we weren't paying her enough attention, she could crane her neck around so as to look us in the face, thus attracting our gazes. Recently, she's learned how to parlay that charming skill into a new game. She tilts her head all the way to the side until she has to put her arms down for support, and gazes into our eyes upside-down, eliciting (as you can imagine) many giggles and coos of joy from her family.
But, here's the clincher: since that post where she learned how to get herself out of deep, deep doo-doo with a single well-placed kiss....
she has full-on learned to kiss. She doesn't often initiate it, but if asked for a kiss, this is now the result.
Here's a close-up for full effect.
Needless to say, this leaves me weak at the knees. I am fully and completely whipped. I don't have a chance. I'm hers.

(ps - for those not acquainted with the adoption world: understand that kissing is not built-in for a child raised in an institution. Most babies have been kissed, hugged and stroked since day one. Not so for orphanage babies. Cleft babies have (by necessity) more human contact than others, since they have to be hand-fed by an orphanage employee in the early days of life in order to survive. Still, a baby raise in an institution isn't likely to have been kissed much, whether or not they've had the privilege of being held. It is our place, as adoptive parents, to teach them whatever level of intimacy we see fit. I love baby kisses (and covet those I get from my nieces and nephews) so it was important to me to teach QQ how to kiss and how to enjoy being held and petted. She's still a pretty tough cookie - and I respect that. If she falls and smacks her head on something, she does not want to be cradled or cosseted, and her cries last no longer than a few seconds. That's OK with me. I like her to be tough. I like her to know how to "shake it off".
However, I'd also like her to know what it's like to be well and fully kissed and hugged by her mother and father, and to appreciate the comforts of that privilege.)

13 comments:

M@rgriet said...

Look how she closes her eyes when she gives you that kiss... I'm melting...

Rhonda said...

SO beautiful.

Vivian M said...

Aw the pictures of her kissing you just melt my heart. Kerri had mild RAD, so I did not get the hugs and kisses for a very long time, almost a year and a half. I know just how precious those displays of true affection are!

Snowflowers Mum said...

Ooooooh, I love a good kiss! We feel the same way about teaching our daughters about intimacy and the power of 'true love's kiss'...we do like the Europeans, a nice big smaker on the lips...nothing so sweet and innocent or honest in it's simplicity and beauty as a simple kiss.
Piper is still guarded but is opening up, Paisley however is a kissy hog and constantly showers me in kisses, and often walks around already puckered looking for her Daddy or Mummy or sister to plant a juicy one on!

Weak at the knees by the kind of trust and love it takes for a child to 'fall into you' this way...truly one of life's most incredible gifts.

Lost and Found said...

Oh I love those kisses. Emme is sure to give me one almost daily. I usually tease her by asking for "just one more" which she thinks is hysterical. Our girls have already proven how strong and tough they are so I love seeing this more open, loving side.

Yoli said...

Maia, how sweet! I would be a puddle of jello from all that cuteness and kisses too!

My son is a love machine, with my daughter it took time for her to accept affection. It is a beautiful thing when they finally do. Great job Mom.

Carrie said...

My kids were big kissers, MJ went right along with them and learn a nice sweet peck would bring Mom the biggest smile so she would do it often. My 7 year old boy has told me No more kisses in public and no more pecks on the lips. My 8 year old daughter still kisses everyone on the lips and face and forehead. and of course the wee-little one will always give a good smooch! I think it is wonderful to love and hug and love on these kids. It's a ruff world out there. They need to know where it is safe! In Mama's arms!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

Thousands of hugs and kisses is always a super thing...
From my nieces/nephews... I never tired of these two things...

Cavatica said...

BB gives good hugs & kisses these days, but she likes to tease and run past me when I ask for a hug. She soon comes back, running airplane-style, to lay a hug & a kiss on me. It's sweet.

QQ looks wonderful with you, Mama. You've earned every ounce of her.

Michele said...

The kisses and hugs are what help me get through the rough days. Baby love is so wonderful and I'm sure you are loving every single moment of it.

kerri said...

There has been some serious bonding. ;)
Beautiful to see she wants full eye contact and kisses, it took our Jennifer forever to give us that, patience perservered. Now she is a kissy , affectionate girl.

kitchu said...

oh man... i just cannot wait...

Virginia said...

So sweet. It's so easy to see why you're in love with her.

Gin =)