The Greshams: Progress: His Dad (aka Raleigh)

As Raleigh and I prepared to bring sweet Beau home, we knew that he might initially attach to one parent. That is exactly what happened with Beau. He immediately "attached" to me and was not so keen on Raleigh. As in, he would scream and arch his back if Raleigh got too close. I am not writing this to make Raleigh feel bad, he knows he is a wonderful dad, but I want others that are in the process of adopting to be prepared for all sorts of scenarios. Also, it will be fun to look back in a few years and think how crazy it was when Beau wasn't so sure about his dad.

The first 2 weeks home, Beau would not let Raleigh hold him, play with him, feed him, change his diaper, etc. If it involved engaging with each another, Beau would not do it. This made a few things quite difficult. Two of the hardest things for me those first two weeks home were taking a shower and using the restroom. I tried to wake up before Beau to take my shower. Sometimes this worked, but other days there was just no way to predict how early he would wake up and I just couldn't bring myself to get out of bed and shower at 4:30am. Ha! Ha! So, in order for me to shower or use the restroom, Raleigh would have to hold Beau or attempt to play with him. This did not go over well at all. We tried all types of things! I even showered a few times in a swim suit so that Beau could stand right at the shower door and see me. (I know he's just a baby, but it just felt too weird not to wear a swim suit since Beau is a boy.) Beau isn't at the point just yet where he will play independently for a few minutes without noticing that I am gone.

All of that to say, over the last few days, Beau has really started opening up to Raleigh. Praise God for progress!! Beau loves it when Raleigh is super duper silly! It makes Beau giggle!! Also, Beau will let Raleigh hold him. Beau also loves all types of technology, so he loves when Raleigh lets him type on the computer. We have to limit this since Beau drools so much, but occasionally we will let him play on the computer. He likes to hear the keys click as you type. He must have seen his foster family working on laptops and phones, because we never "introduced" these things to Beau, but one day we just happened to get out a computer and check email or something and his face lit up! Beau can be practically asleep, but if he sees you get out a phone or computer he will sit straight up, smile, and crawl over to whatever technology is visible.

Last night, Beau had fun listening to Raleigh play the guitar! It is so neat to watch Beau let down his guard and open up to Raleigh.

Showering and using the restroom are still works in progress, but we will get there!!