China Ghosts

I just finished reading Jeff Gammage's China Ghosts ... and I must say, I couldn't put it down. His style of writing and storytelling captivated me. He poignantly writes about his journey to fatherhood through the adoption of his daughter from China. I must have been teary-eyed through the entire book, as he so eloquently and tangibly described his emotional journey to fatherhood. This is a must-read for every parent adopting from China.

Capturing Memories

My artist friend, Katherine, recently gave me this delightful little memory book, My Family, My Journey designed and written for adoptive families. The illustrations are lovely! It's adaptable for both domestic or international adoptions. I can't wait to start capturing my memories, for Elyza, in its pages. What a sweet memento!

Parenting from the Inside Out

My sis has done it again...it's like she has a weird sixth sense or at least she's hyper-intuitive at times. She sent me a book called Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell. Both she and my friend Elizabeth highly recommended the book the same week, though neither has read it yet. My friend's child is attending Hartzell's school and my sister's Sunday school class has been referring to it. I just googled it, and it just so happens to be one of Hague newly-required readings for international adoption. Go figure! You can purchase a copy through Tapestry Books. Below is a description of the book:

A child psychiatrist and an early childhood expert reveal that the first step in raising happy and healthy children is to fully understand and learn from your own childhood experiences. How many parents have found themselves thinking: I can't believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to say to me. Am I just destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents? The authors explore the extent to which our childhood experiences shape the way that we parent. Drawing on new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly affect the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories that will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.

Our Commonality: Humanity

As the wait grows, I've had time to begin thinking about the repertoire of important books that I'd like to include in our daughter's library, books that address issues of transracial adoption, equality, race, diversity, culture and the like. My friend told me about Mem Fox's Whoever You Are. I checked it out from the library and decided it's a definite must-add, with its beautiful illustrations and its poignant message. For ages birth to 5 years (and even good for adults;).

Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. And their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are just like you.

Read: During the Wait

My mind has been famished, for what seems like years, for words, poetry, literary inspiration, metaphors... starving for the opportunity to read. Over the past month, I've had the opportunity to devour books upon books to satisfy the craving. Below are a few of my favorites.



Relating to adoption:
The Chinese Adoption Handbook; this is an essential for anyone preparing for a Chinese or Korean Adoption

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell; a woman's journey to her adopted child

Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish that Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge

Relating to parenting:
Baby 411; the 411 on parenting

What to Expect the First Year

Baby Bargains

Relating to self help:
The Saints' Guide to Happiness by Robert Ellsberg

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

Fiction:
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant



No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance. - Confucius