The other night, I went to get my hair done and as I drove to Spearfish- I couldn't help but think back to where our family was about a month ago when I last escaped the house to go see my miracle working de-aging specialist otherwise, known as Tasha my hair girl. She was so excited to hear 'how things were going'. I remember telling her about how I hadn't cooked a meal, or slept in weeks. And, how the kids were super competitive or how Elsie was obsessed with food and how our house literally goes through an emotional meltdown between 4pm-6pm and how Elsie was chewing on apple alllllll day long. I am not going to lie- I was exhausted; we were living off of Totinos pizzas and the food my sister left me; life was 'intense' as I would tell people.
As I drove to Spearfish this time... I couldn't help but think of how things are so different now. It is amazing how much things have improved this past month. Here are our milestones for month two of our process of melding into complete 'family-ness'...
- She trusts us enough to sleep all night (for the most part-ish) unless she wants a 3am snack or diaper change. That's fair- I can handle that! Kaleb has also started sleeping through the night again... we're all sleeping better and much much more which is a TREMENDOUS blessing!!!!!
- She doesn't eat 24/7 anymore. In the beginning, if I didn't have the food on the plate before she landed in the highchair, in her brain- the sky literally was falling. An emotional disaster ensued. It was literally impossible to cook. I didn't cook a full/complete meal at our house until our third Saturday home. True, I was tired and busy. But, I couldn't cook because it would send her into a complete emotional wreck. Her whole life her brain has said 'you need food'- it takes a lot to re-train a 20 month old brain that the food is coming, don't worry. A few days ago, I made dinner and the kids actually even played in the living room while I cooked. Sounds normal, well- it was a milestone indeed. Once, I could kind of start cooking- she would play directly under my feet eating an apple and fussing A LOT. Big progress for our little girl!!
- She communicates in growing ways :) A month ago, she would sign 'more' if she wasn't in an emotional crisis emotionally needing food- now. Today, she can sign: more, eat, drink, yes, no and all done. In fact, yesterday were were at our favorite top-secret hotel pool. She started out very timid and cautious. By the time we were done, she was laying on her back kicking and pushing off against the pool wall so I could spin her around the pool It was amazing how relaxed and enjoyable she found it to be. Eventually, she was teeth chattering cold. I would ask her, 'all done?' and sign it. She would nod her head 'no' over and over. So, we kept going. I knew she was really cold but she was loving it and laughing and you could just see enjoyment oozing from her little body. Then- out of the blue with her teeth chattering, she signed 'all done'. We got out, wrapped up in our towel and headed off to change. What an accomplishment for our currently non-verbal little girl who has recently completely switched languages! She is starting to see the value and power in communicating back to us :) In just the past few days, she has also started saying 'DaDa'- what a precious thing to hear her speak this to Wes!! Elsie and I also have these little 'conversations' at night as I rock her to bed... she jabbers away, nods her head, crosses her arms and throws in some pretty wild hand motions to 'tell' me about her day. It is pretty precious and I am sure once her words get aligned... we are all in for an earful from her!! Especially Kaleb... oh, boy- she's got some spunk and is not going to be bashful about telling him what she thinks.
- She trust us enough to actually play. For a couple weeks in there, either the kids were sleeping or I was holding them or one of them on the couch. Then, she would play in the living room next to the couch. The moment I would get off the couch- emotional crisis. Now, they play. She discovers. They chase each other through the house like normal kids and throughout it all, she comes to show me a new toy or ask for a snack or come hang out for awhile. No more bruised arms and my back/shoulders are rejoicing lately :)
- She trusts us enough to enjoy leaving the house for a fun adventure yet loves, loves, loves coming home to sleep in her crib. This month, we started venturing out... and, I must say-we've had a lot of fun!! I'm rested enough that I feel like leaving the house is worth the shower and work it takes to leave the house. She is secure enough that it isn't a complete disaster. Life is indeed improving :)
Here's a peek at this month's fun...
First, even though I've been home from school- I needed to help my FCCLA kids get ready for state meeting. So, while I was Skyping with a couple of them... the kids seized the moment by mostly emptying the cupboard full of office supplies. Like, only about 200 envelopes thrown about in confetti style and bubble wrap sword fights :) They had a blast, I managed to help out my students and it only took 7 minutes to clean up. Not bad ;)
We fit a trip in to the Sioux Falls Zoo...always a good time!
Oh, the bond these two have!
I just love and adore watching my sweet sister and my awesome son together.
They really are two peas in a pod & love each other soooo much!!!
Our very serious tour guide.
No messing around on his tour. Do NOT stop to look at the animals.
It's about finding the animals- not looking at the animals!
Our attempt at a family photo...
Ya, we have a 4 year old and a 1 1/2 year old.
Lil' Miss. Confidence...
And, then.. if that isn't enough fun for one day-
you go to Auntie & Justin's house for supper, followed by epic bubble mania :)
So interesting. Thank you for sharing. I just wonder what has gone through her mind as she met you, left behind all that she was familiar with, and traveled to a new world. Will she ever be able to verbalize any of this to you, or is she so young that she will not remember? Joan Anderson
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