Who is Andrew/Ruigang ?

I know that many of you want to know how I feel Andrew is really doing. What I feel his journey has been, what his reaction has been and how he is doing emotionally. Andrew is a thinker. He watches people and he listens to their conversations. I see him intently listening to other Chinese people and when he thinks it is funny he smiles and laughs a bit. He then moves on to something or someone else to watch. He watches everyone in the room. I believe he understands me more than I realize. He is already responding to certain requests and gestures that I make to him. I believe that Andrew had to take care of himself on a daily basis much more than Daniel for example. He is routined from the moment he wakes up. He completely dresses himself and I have already told you how he folds his clothes precisely. His eating habits are amazing. I've discussed that as well. We are communicating by head shakes and a few words that I have picked up in Chinese to get us through meal time. However, anytime we have snacks, I can see that he is very protective over what I give him. And he doesn't want a partial snack, he wants the whole thing and when he doesn't get the food he wants he becomes upset. I struggle with the bedtime routine with him. I can tell that I am not doing something right. He becomes a bit stressed at this time of day. When something doesn't go his way, he sulks. He paces and has the most pathetic little frown on his face that I have ever seen. Because of the language barrier, he struggles with how to tell me what he needs. So instead of attempting he doesn't say anything at all and then usually the tears come for a bit. Last night as he struggled to fall asleep, I sang to him and that did the trick. So....I am figuring things out slowly but surely. ;)

I am glad to see that when we are out and about he stays close to us. He has bonded with us and won't talk to or go to strangers. This is such a good sign. When we looked at pictures the other day he pointed to me and said Mama and then pointed to David and said Baba and then pointed to Emmie and it sounded like he tried to say her name. When we walk down the street and he is in the stroller, he wants me to walk beside him and hold his hand. I believe he hears me when I tell him that I love him in Chinese. He has a sweet, quiet side and yet when we are in the room he is already wrestling with Daddy. And he's sneaky! lol He finds things and hides them. He wraps things up in his blankets or paper. Like they are the most beautiful treasures ever. I think he and Daniel are going to have a great time tormenting Sophia. Both Sophia and Daniel get very excited when they see him with us via te Skype. I truly believe once we are home that Andrew will blossom. I think we will see a very loving, smart little boy. Full of all things boy, just like his brother.

There is no doubt that Andrew will light up any room. His smile and the spark in his eyes are still there. I'm so thankful for that. I don't know if that has to do with being in foster care, the orphanage or just his personality. But even when he is in deep concentration the spark is there....it's not that blank traumatized look. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that. While I know that there will be issues along the way with him, I believe that Andrew will over come this part of his life and that we will nuture him and give him all the love he needs. This morning at breakfast he wanted this sprinkle donut that I brought over to him. He was full of excitement. I asked for a kiss in Chinese and I got my first real smacker......and yes...I cried! ;)

Love and miss you all.....can't wait to get home to see you.