The Beauty of Progress

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 :) 

First Family Vacation

This week, Wes skipped work.  We loaded up the car for our big adventure.  After driving for a whopping 15 minutes... ta da, we were there :)  As Kaleb calls it, we were at the 'swimming hotel' otherwise known as The Lodge.  It is in fact wonderful and affordable and has an incredibly great pool for kids.  What's more to love.  Oh, ya- the food is amazing too!  And, did I mention it is 15 miles away.  Makes it even better :)  Along the drive, there is a point in the road where you can see The Lodge off in the distance- across the expanse in 'the beautiful forest' as Kaleb always calls it.  As soon as we came over the hill where you can see The Lodge in the distance, Kaleb yelled "Mom, there it is!!!"  legs bouncing and body wiggling with anticipation.  It is pretty cool!

Did I mention she's got confidence?  

And loves doing something for the thrill of it...

 Fun times!! 

Also, on the vacation agenda... a fun drive through Custer State Park. 

Kaleb was quite enthralled with his 'buffalo magazine'

...psst, look out the window ;) 

 Lots of cute baby buffalo!

 Heads up, the crazy begging burros...

 Yes, I scratched their noses :)  

 Elsie telling me about all the fun stuff out the window...

 Then, we had a lovely lunch on the dock at Legion Lake watching the fish jump.  

Next, a walk down the shoreline to play at the little park...

 Proof that we even brought Wes with ;)  

 Another little family of geese :) 

 Then, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy another night of swimming 

before heading home this morning.  

Ahh, life is grand.  It is so good to be together- Praise the Lord!!! 

First Snow...

This past weekend, over Mother's Day, we had a big huge snowstorm allowing Elsie to experience snow for the first time.  She was very intrigued as she watched it pile up all day outside.  

 This is her jubilant and exuberant 'AWE' face... 

It's her way of saying 'I am the funniest human ever'! 

 Happy Mother's Day 2015 

And, for my birthday the next day... God sent sunshine :) 

 Kaleb's self created 'waffle tree'.  

He explained- you just bite it like this on both sides Mom.  

 Make that a Waffle Tree with a smiley face ;) 

 Then, Elsie took a morning nap. 

So, we ate snow and built a snowman outside. 

 Best birthday ever!

 By that afternoon, it was 60 degrees out & Elsie got to go test out snow...

 Ohhh, that's kinda cool...

 And, by Tuesday (the next day) we were back to riding bikes barefoot 

in the street with the neighbor kids :) 

Family Celebration!

A few weekends ago, we made the short trek to Philip to meet up with relatives who made the long trek from Minnesota to meet Elsie.  It was a fun afternoon and it was so great to see everyone! Lots of fun playing with the cousins... unfortunately, all my pictures with the cousins were blurry :(

 Elsie's first trip to the barn...yay! 

 Meeting the bucket calf... 

 

 And, of course... Patches :) 

 Back up at the house... she enjoyed chilling with Uncle RyRy 

while he did some intense Kentucky Derby 'analysis'.  

It was great to see everyone!! Thanks for driving out to meet Elsie :) 

The Circus...

Being Family

It is hard to believe that we've been home nearly a month.  Sometimes, it feels like its been like 3 months to be honest.  But, we are doing well and are finally starting to feel settled in-ish.  The first full week home was intense, I'm not going to lie.  Kaleb was really struggling with needing his parents after us being gone for 16 days.  Its hard explaining the concept of 16 days to a 3.9 year old.  His world is pretty much scheduled at the times of... now, tomorrow and someday.  Ah, needless to say- he needed some reassurance that we're not going back to China anytime soon & lots of snuggles.  Elsie was glued to my arms and craving attention as well.  By the end of the week- I literally had bruises on my arm from holding her so much.
The 2nd week home... the theme was 'competition' :)  Competition over who could be the closest to mom, have the most of mom's lap, be touching the most of her, the most attention... ah, the fun.  Coupled with some fairly demanding food obsession and it made for quite the week.  As long as I didn't walk into the kitchen and sat on the couch where everyone could touch everyone, we survived.  The 3rd week home... they finally figured out the joy of playing together instead of against each other :)  Yay!  This past Saturday, I told Wes if finally felt like we had a 'normal' day.  Kids played outside, I cooked my first real complete hot supper, we worked on the yard and the weather was beautiful!  Life is starting to settle in however, we definitely have our days when life still is full of a lot of adjustment and reminders that Mom & Dad will never leave a certain 4 year old.  Between the 12 hours of time zone adjustments, learning how to be in a family, healing from Mom & Dad being gone for 16 days, food obsession/insecurity, five trips to Black Hills Peds, and many, many sleepless nights (think waking up about every 45 minutes)..... we've had a lot of fun along the way too :)
And, here's the proof- we've got some cute and precious kids I tell ya!  There've been some challenging moments but also some really sweet family memories.  The first hugs.  Learning to give kisses to Mama.  An abundance of snuggles on the couch.  Giggles as they tease each other.  Good times, indeed.

Enjoy :) 

What a cutie she is... and, a trooper too!  

 Playing in the barn tent... compliments of Grandma Berry.  

(Ah, the tent...which is near life size & nearly consumes my house once it is 'built'.  

Every time we put it up, I'm tempted to buy Grandma a very large kitchen island that is like 5' tall just so her kitchen feels 'full').  

 Meet the pumpkins... we planted them a few days ago to get them started inside.  And, it has turned into quite the adventure as Kaleb would say.  These last few weeks, we've had many conversations between the two of us about "who is in charge".  Ya, Mama's in charge kiddo ;)  Kaleb's been designated as being in charge of the pumpkins... trust me, they will not be drying out as he religiously sprays them down numerous times throughout the day.  

 This afternoon, Kaleb intentionally and quietly slipped himself and little Elsie out the back door.  They got about 3 feet as I was onto their game pretty quickly.  Mr. Kaleb and I had a little conversation that went like this... 

I am reminding him that he can not take Elsie outside and he always needs to ask before 'helping'...

Me:  Who's in charge of the kids, Kaleb? 

Kaleb:  Mama is.  Kaleb in charge of the pumpkins!! 

(said in the most authoritative 4 year old voice)

And... I might add that Mama's just prayin' the pumpkins grow!

 On Saturday, the weather was beautiful.  It was a fun evening in the yard riding bikes, running around and simply enjoying time together! 

Love that boy, yes I do!

And, today we made a little side trip to see the baby chicks.  Oh, boy... the temptation was great to smuggle a couple home!  Grandpa's lucky too... if he didn't already have hundreds of pesky turkeys, we just might have brought home a couple baby turkeys & then 'let them live at Grandpa's house' :)