Little Couple

[WDWJDS]

I see many different variables in Jen's behavior and other posters have mentioned them as well.

First, being a health care provider for babies, there tends to be a certain detachment that can happen. Also, holding an anxious baby facing away from you is better for the baby, many times. Third, Jen wasn't feeling very well at all.

So all of those things together make me totally understand her behavior.

Jen looked so sickly - I remember thinking that at the end of the last season.

I love that family and Will was such a doll!

 

[htmom]

I just watched it on demand. The end where she was sleeping on jen was beautiful. It made me tear up because we know now that jen was just about to start a major battle for her life. Seeing zoey cry was sad but at the same time it was good to see her hold jen and bill so tight. Kind of like when you take your little ones for their shots. It breaks your heart because you know it hurts but it is for the best.

 

[EMom]

It is common for Russian babies who have been in baby homes to favor the mother at first, as they have little to no contact with men. Men really are a foreign concept to them. As predicted, our DD attached to me first. She would let DH hold her, feed her, etc. but she preferred me and would reach for me.

One day when we'd had her about 2 weeks, DH came home from work. As we did every day, I announced that Daddy was home and we went to the garage to greet him. For the first time, she reached for him. She held her arms out for him to take her. If you had given my DH a million bucks, he wouldn't have been any happier. He was THRILLED!

His patient wait was worth it. She can still wrap him around her little finger.

 

[Zandy595]

My take is it must be really difficult to try to calm a two year old who is scared to death of you. I don't think Jen wanted to do anything to make Zoey even more scared. I probably would've acted the same way. Zoey was taken away from the only people she knew. I wouldn't want to force myself on a little one who didn't really like me at the moment.

 

[Laura66]

Yep, and I don't think ending every sentence of your reply with an exclamation point (or several) is going to change my mind. why not just type in all caps?

I wasn't trying to start an argument - I certainly so no point of you defending Jen like she is your BFF.

I am certain I am allowed to think she looked awkward and stilted with Zoe ( thought it about Will at the time too) without someone needed to jump down my throat - although this is the DIS so no surprise.

I never said she is a bad mom, or that I wasn't happy for them, I just don't think nurturing comes smoothly to her, if I did I would have seen her soothing that baby in a different way!

I am entitled to my opinion, especially since they put very private things on TV for everyone to see.

Well I wasn't the only one who disagreed with you! As for ending all my sentences like that - nothing personal. It's just my style of typing/writing.

 

[cabanafrau]

Yep, and I don't think ending every sentence of your reply with an exclamation point (or several) is going to change my mind. why not just type in all caps?

I wasn't trying to start an argument - I certainly so no point of you defending Jen like she is your BFF.

I am certain I am allowed to think she looked awkward and stilted with Zoe ( thought it about Will at the time too) without someone needed to jump down my throat - although this is the DIS so no surprise.

I never said she is a bad mom, or that I wasn't happy for them, I just don't think nurturing comes smoothly to her, if I did I would have seen her soothing that baby in a different way!

I am entitled to my opinion, especially since they put very private things on TV for everyone to see.

Nurturing doesn't come smoothly to a lot of people, particularly in that very first moment when your heart and mind are spinning. Stop and think about how many moves and TV shows use that as a plot point, particularly as a stereotype about new fathers. My own DH is the very youngest in his generation of his family & had zero experience with babies or small children when DD was born. When they were taking her from the OR after birth to the nursery to wash and dress DH went with her. Her first diaper was his first time attempting to put on a diaper. I wasn't there, but I bet he was all kinds of awkward. He's a great dad, even if an observer that day might have thought, whoa, that guy doesn't have a clue. He was a very fussy DD's go to parent.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Here is my take on it. These are people and not actors. Not even actors a la the Kardashians. Their emotions and reactions are genuine. I am very comfortable with my daughter but even I get a little stilted when I have an "audience." Imagine meeting your daughter for the first time in a foreign country. Imagine how awkward it is when you do not speak the same language as she does or her caretakers do. Imagine wondering what the caretakers are thinking of you, wondering if they are judging whether you are worthy of this child. Now imagine there are cameras there too filming these moments. I would feel self conscious and that would show in my behavior. It even reminds me of my wedding -- as happy as I was, I felt all of those eyes on me and I was always aware that people were watching me.

 

[Seahunt]

They have a lovely (and loving) family, and I'm glad it sounds like Jen will be around to enjoy it.

I was really surprised to see the scenes of Zoey latching onto Bill at all, because I had watched the Katie show with Bill & Jen on yesterday and he told Katie:

“Apparently, I wasn’t number one like I was with Will right out of the gate. It was tough. Zoey started screaming when we got her into the bus,” Bill explained about the adoption process. “From that point until, oh, about Christmas or so? She had a tough time dealing with me. But, you know, we spoke with some professionals, we had a psychiatrist to help us with that process and to give us some techniques to encourage that bond. And it worked. These folks with PhD’s actually know what they’re talking about.”

JMO but those kids will surely have the best of care throughout because Bill & Jen are not afraid to ask for help.

Jen also said on Katie that Will & Zoey were doing great together now, except for occasional meltdowns over sharing toys, oh, about everyday LOL.

 

[Carina]

Nurturing doesn't come smoothly to a lot of people, particularly in that very first moment when your heart and mind are spinning. Stop and think about how many moves and TV shows use that as a plot point, particularly as a stereotype about new fathers. My own DH is the very youngest in his generation of his family & had zero experience with babies or small children when DD was born. When they were taking her from the OR after birth to the nursery to wash and dress DH went with her. Her first diaper was his first time attempting to put on a diaper. I wasn't there, but I bet he was all kinds of awkward. He's a great dad, even if an observer that day might have thought, whoa, that guy doesn't have a clue. He was a very fussy DD's go to parent.

I agree - basically that's the point I was trying to make. I don't think she is a bad parent or anything, in fact I think their hearts are full to bursting, I just don't think certain things come naturally to her.

One can probably safely assume she didn't do much babysitting or such when she was younger.

So I STILL maintain she looked awkward. It doesn't mean those kids (and parents) are not very blessed to have each other!

 

[SydSim]

To be honest, I don't get the warm fuzzies from Jen's mom, so maybe that's how she was raised.

 

[Zandy595]

They have a lovely (and loving) family, and I'm glad it sounds like Jen will be around to enjoy it.

I was really surprised to see the scenes of Zoey latching onto Bill at all, because I had watched the Katie show with Bill & Jen on yesterday and he told Katie:

“Apparently, I wasn’t number one like I was with Will right out of the gate. It was tough. Zoey started screaming when we got her into the bus,” Bill explained about the adoption process. “From that point until, oh, about Christmas or so? She had a tough time dealing with me. But, you know, we spoke with some professionals, we had a psychiatrist to help us with that process and to give us some techniques to encourage that bond. And it worked. These folks with PhD’s actually know what they’re talking about.”

JMO but those kids will surely have the best of care throughout because Bill & Jen are not afraid to ask for help.

Jen also said on Katie that Will & Zoey were doing great together now, except for occasional meltdowns over sharing toys, oh, about everyday LOL.

What day were they on? I missed it and can't seem to find the right episode.

To be honest, I don't get the warm fuzzies from Jen's mom, so maybe that's how she was raised.

I agree with this.

 

[Carina]

Will is such a sweet and kind big brother....wow!

 

[antmaril]

Will is such a sweet and kind big brother....wow!

I agree. He is a sweetheart!

 

[minniebeth]

The new season~
Each episode has melted my heart, but this week's especially.
I loved watching the bonding that took place while they all decorated for Christmas. The photo session with Will and Zoe in their authentic cultural dress was *precious* beyond words.

 

[OhMari]

Jen has mentioned her mom a few times as to how she was raised. Jen said her mom made sure she was dressed in age appropriate clothes. Can you image how hard it had to be for Jen's mom? I noticed Zoey had on a larger shirt on and she was standing next to Jen and I thought, "shoot, Jen could wear that top,". And Zoey is a very little 2 year old. Jen could probably wear toddler shirts, she is very small.

Didn't Jen's parents move to Houston too, to be near Jen? They previously lived in Florida and 2 weeks ago, they showed the garage apartment were her parents lived for awhile. I assume they have their own place now, since Jen's mom is running the Pet Store. I think Jen is very close to her parents.

 

[cabanafrau]

Jen has mentioned her mom a few times as to how she was raised. Jen said her mom made sure she was dressed in age appropriate clothes. Can you image how hard it had to be for Jen's mom? I noticed Zoey had on a larger shirt on and she was standing next to Jen and I thought, "shoot, Jen could wear that top,". And Zoey is a very little 2 year old. Jen could probably wear toddler shirts, she is very small.

Didn't Jen's parents move to Houston too, to be near Jen? They previously lived in Florida and 2 weeks ago, they showed the garage apartment were her parents lived for awhile. I assume they have their own place now, since Jen's mom is running the Pet Store. I think Jen is very close to her parents.

They had to have done something(s) right to raise this amazing and accomplished woman.

Only saw a bit of the show this week, but I find these people so heartening.

 

[mom2rtk]

They had to have done something(s) right to raise this amazing and accomplished woman.

Only saw a bit of the show this week, but I find these people so heartening.

I absolutely agree. What an amazing woman.

I watch my share of train wreck reality TV, but this is my "go-to" happy place right now. I watch with my 13 year old daughter. We are both in love with Will's smile. Those kids adore Bill. I love the scenes where they are on the floor crawling and laying on him.

And kudos to Jen for having the strength to go half way across the globe alone knowing she was going to miss the adoption being finalized. She did what she had to do for her family's future.

Prayers to her family for her to stay in remission.

 

[Seahunt]

What day were they on? I missed it and can't seem to find the right episode.

Sorry so late, but it was this one :

http://katiecouric.com/videos/the-little-couples-littlest-addition/

Bill talks about the trouble bonding with him starting about the 1:20 mark.

On the last episode I loved seeing Zoey crawling on Bill's back when he was laying on the floor. Bill seemed like he didn't want to move so he could just savor the moment.

 

[nuke]

I just love this family! The love Bill showed Jenn through all of lastest episode was so touching.