William the Conqueror

Today marks the one week anniversary of William's joining our family. Believe it or not, despite the perfect storm of jetlag, infant sleep adjustment, and Daylight Saving's Time, these seven days have gone by quickly. It's beginning to feel like William has been a part of our family for a long time.

Consider this: how would you feel if you were removed from your home environment suddenly? One day, you were in the company of familiar faces and familiar language, ensconced in predictable routines, and warmed by the comfort of your own bed. The next day, all your meager belongings were packed into a small tote bag and handed to some people you didn't recognize, whose language you couldn't understand. They called you a new name and took you from one place to the next at a dizzying pace. I don't know about you, but as a creature of habit, this kind of change would upset me greatly.

This is what William has endured - not once, but twice, first leaving his birthmother to go to St. Lucy's, then going from there to our home after 20 grueling hours of travel. For all of the upheaval, our little guy has done extremely well.

He is a joy to greet upon waking; he often rises with a smile. Many times when he sees us, he screeches and flaps his arms ("happy flappies," I call this). The change in environment has not affected his eating or sleeping habits as far as we can tell. He still wolfs down food like there's no tomorrow and he still sleeps for 10 hours (albeit, during the daytime since he hasn't yet adjusted to our time).

In the first couple of days, he would fuss and cry pretty hard before going down for naps. Neither holding him or putting him down in his crib would soothe him. However, I think - I hope - we're starting to see the end of this.

He still has a hard time being left to play on his own for more than a minute or two. He also fusses whenever we step out of the room briefly and leave him alone in the Exersaucer. We're guessing this is more a result of orphanage life, of always being in the company of many others and never left alone. Separation anxiety may also be a culprit around this age.

All in all, we're delighted to see how well William has settled into his new life with us. I know there's much more to his personality that we haven't seen. St. Lucy's told us that he is a happy baby who smiles and laughs easily. While we've gotten some laughs and smiles out of him, I don't doubt that we've just begun to scratch the surface of his cheerful nature. I'm sure the more he becomes accustomed to us, the more he'll let down his guard and laugh even more.

For all he has endured in his short life, he is truly a resilient little guy. William the Conqueror, indeed.

At the toy store in the basement of Taipei 101 with Ahgon. William loved nestling among the stuffed animals and rubbing his face against their soft fur.

Working on bonding with Mommy at The Agora Garden Hotel.


Going for a morning stroll around the hotel garden with Daddy.

In all his naked glory after his first bath at the hotel.

Romping it up with Daddy in the hotel.

With my 2nd cousin's daughter in Taipei - he really lights up when he sees other young children.

Another gratuitous buff shot.