Letter from Jack and Noah

Letter from Jack and Noah


Dear Family and Friends:

It's been a crazy few weeks ~ so many new things to see, people to meet and places I never knew even existed. It's been a lot to take in but we think we are handling it all pretty well -- at least that is what our Mama and Papa think.

The purpose of this note is to fill you in on a few things that make our situation different than perhaps that of someone who was born into this family from the beginning. You see, we have always been with lots of other kids our age and we always had many ladies taking care of us. The ladies did their best but 12-15 kids at one time can be a lot for anyone. They washed, dressed, and fed us, but it was their job to do these things. A person can only do so much. We didn't get the cuddles, massages, kisses and touches that other children might get from their mamas and papas; and really -- we don't know or understand yet what it's like to be loved.

Up until this past year, a Mama was any lady and a Papa was any man. That's probably why we all call out "Mama", "Papa" when we see people walking through the orphanage yard. We hear the ladies that care for us, tell other kids that Mama and Papa are coming, so that’s why we think they are all mamas and papas. Up until recently, we have been introduced to our real Mama and my Papa and now the meaning of those names changes. We didn’t even know or realize that we were brothers before they came to visit us.

Before they picked us up on January 17, they visited us almost every day for 2 weeks and a few times before that as well (frankly we were too young to even remember the first visit). They were great playmates and we loved spending time with them in the music room. Since the 17th of January, though, things have changed. They now do everything for us that the ladies used to do ~ plus a whole lot more. They hug us, kiss us, and tell us "Ya tibya loo bloo" (I love you) all the time. This is very foreign to us ~ but we really like it.

This is a very critical time for us as a family. We have to learn what a true "Mama" and "Papa" means ~ and who they are to us. We even have to learn what it is to have a brother, or what a brother is. We need time to attach and bond as a family since we missed out on the first 24 months of our life here on earth. We are trying to understand we have been a “family” for only one month and many people have seen us and given us great “stuff” , but we got a little dazed and confused by all the attention. Even Grandma and Grandpa are great, but we need a little more time to understand who we all are. Having said that, we're all going to try and follow a few guidelines for kids who find a forever family just like we did.



1) Our world is going to be small for a while. On the first night here, we got to meet our grandparents and Aunt Kath and her family, but that was a crazy day! Meeting a ton of people at the airport and on the plane was really neat, but exhausting. For the past three weeks friends and family poured in to welcome us, and we are very thankful ; but right now we need this downtime for just a little bit. We'll start venturing out soon to see people slowly so please be patient with us.



2) We need everyone to know that in order for us to fully understand the roles of my Mama and Papa, all caregiving aspects should only be performed by them. By that we mean -- feeding us, changing us , dressing us, holding us, soothing us if we cry or get hurt, cuddling us, kissing us, and putting us to bed ~~ any and all of these activities should only be done by our Mama and Papa. That doesn't mean we can't play because of course we can! But if we are hungry or start crying, simply take our hand and lead us to Mama and/or Papa. Others holding and soothing one of us will only confuse us so please don't take it personal ~ this is just temporary while we still get to know each other as a family. We’ve never known what it was to have a family so it will take a little while for us to sort it all out.



3) We are used to living in a very structured setting back in Russia. Here at home now, Mama and Papa are trying to make each day very structured, too, to help with the transition and all the changes we are experiencing. We have lots of rules and that’s what we are used to and we understand. We would appreciate it if you called first before coming over just so we can be sure it's a good time. Please understand if we tell you it isn’t a good time, don’t take it personally.

4) Mama is home with us every day (Papa works hard to give us great things !) and she could always use a quick note, email or call to tell her you are thinking about her. Remember, we are learning to love Mama and something that can be a very exasperating thing for someone who works so hard for us every day. We went from nothing one day, to all of us being a family overnight- there was no transition time for Mama and Papa to learn who we are as infants and for us to bond with them as parents (I think you call it “The Honeymoon”.)

5) We don’t speak English yet – they obviously never taught us that in Russia; but with Mama and Papa’s help we are learning everything very fast and eventually talking up a storm ! It can be exhausting to them and us, but with time and love we are all learning many languages (hugs, kisses, and even ‘time out’ !)

6) We ask that you keep us in your prayers. Our union as a family is a dream come true for all of us. But we all have so much to learn about life and living together and we definitely believe in the power of prayer and patience!

Thank you for your never-ending support and concern during this long journey. Mama says that she has received so many wonderful gifts and well wishes for us all; and she is trying to respond to each one individually- but we take up a lot of her time ! And thank-you to everyone who has posted on our blog www.angelswaiting.blogspot.com. Mama says she will update more and more as her time gets more free.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask my Mama and she'll do her best to answer them for you.



Paka-Paka and Spasiba!



~Jack and Noah Di Eduardo





P.S. A Special Thank You to Laura Deary, a wonderful support shoulder and fellow Adoptive Mama to Kristina

Adoptive Parents are a very special group that understand and empathize with the efforts, trials and tribulations that each of us are experiencing. They can are overwhelming and we know each week brings a new experience and an calmer method of coping. These are by far the greatest group of people I have ever met ; not because most people think we(adoptive parents) did something wonderful and decent, but because we truly know it is our children that have done the wonderful and decent for us as people.