Monday, June 30, 2014

Fairy tale or a load of poop? Maybe a little of both!

We have been home three weeks. It was a bit chaotic at first. Trying to catch up on sleep and file with the Ukraine Embassy and all the other responsibilities... We have kept them on somewhat of a schedule and it has begun to stick. The two U boys are in their room and sleep through the night. Although Edgar is sleeping in the playpen since he refuses to stay in his toddler bed and I refuse to put him in a crib. Baby Gage does not sleep through the night yet and is still in our room. Wake up is about 7:30am, Breakfast is around 8am. Then all three boys play in the playroom and I play their Signing Times Videos, until 9:30, then the two babies take a nap while Edgar eats his snack and plays. The babies are up around 11:00 and play until lunch 12:00. After Lunch around 1:30 Edgar takes his nap while the babies play. Edgar is up around 2:30 and the babies lay down for their 3:00 nap. This works well in that I have less little's all at once. At 4:30 all the boys eat their dinner and then play while we eat ours. Somewhere in there they get baths! Sometimes their play time will involve swimming or the swing, store, etc. My favorite time is before bedtime. Daddy and I snuggle with all three boys and listen to gentle music while we give the babies their bedtime bottles. It is so quiet and peaceful. The babies are so relaxed and Edgar takes turns snuggling up to us and yawning. They are so comfortable.

The Boys.....Edgar is such a ham! He is so sweet and is learning he does not have to hit and bite to protect himself or communicate. He understands no, sit, stand, sleep, eat, drink, bye-bye, Mama, and Dada. He says "Mama". He mimics everything we do! He throws his own diapers away and the babies diapers. Just say "Edgar, garbage." and he takes care of it! He is curious about everything and loves to clean! He picks up his playroom and walks around "sweeping". He feeds his stuffed monkey with an empty bowl and spoon. He puts monkey in the desk (like a high chair). He loves all the stuffed animals and kisses, hugs and interacts with them. It is so stinking sweet! His glasses come this week! So excited for him to be able to see! The Dr said he will see the world completely differently and shouldn't mind keeping his glasses on since he is so curious and smart already.... he will love seeing the world! He wears his sunglasses now and doesn't seem to mind them. He doesn't really mind glasses and hats. Dunham and Gage.... not so much!

Dunham, is just amazing! Everyone just loves him! He has this hysterical face we call "fight face" he makes it whenever he is mad. He frowns and his eyes get huge!! He looks very scary! ;) He yells "Ba!" and that is a warning right before "fight face"!! Be afraid! Be very afraid! He greets us with a giant grin every time he wakes up or you pick him up or ......whenever! His favorite toy is the dogs bowls :/  He loves swimming with Big Sissy. (I think he is her favorite) She takes him everywhere! Target, The Mall, anywhere and everywhere! She secretly wants him for herself! He is very strong and can pull himself up on anything and does pull ups when you hold his hands! He is now eating a little bit of solids..... not much but way better than he was. He is really starting to bond with us now and is less moody. It is clear that he has settled in. He and Gage are best buds and Baby Gage doesn't seem to mind all the action! He loves watching his brothers and tries to mimic them. He and Dunham like to play tug-a-war with toys. Gage screaming and Dunham yelling "Ba!" and making "fight face". It seems natural and no one is getting hurt so I watch them instead of intervening. (truth is.. it is so adorable and entertaining)

We use about a dozen signs with them and they are slowly beginning to pick up. Some of the signs are a bit useless.... Gage signs "bird". I would prefer something more meaningful! But I'll take what I can get! I have to say.... I don't know if it is a mix of our past parenting experience, our amazing boys, our incredibly helpful 20 year old daughter, or a blessing from God, but it has been a peaceful transition. It hasn't been uneventful.... Edgar had a bout of diarrhea and made a mess in the playroom. He did try and clean it up with his broom. Thoughtful but not effective. :/  Hubby and I tagged teamed it. I took poop monster to the shower and he grabbed his heavy duty cleaning products. Unfortunately Edgars broom didn't survive the attack and had to be thrown out! Edgar and Dunham had some biting habits from the orphanage and there were some pretty tense screaming sessions from the recipients. Both boys are getting used to the unlimited food supply. They would scream at the top of their lungs, slam their heads and bang on their trays. I have finally gotten them to relax a bit.

Adoption is not a fairy tale. It is hard. Long nights. No personal time. Constant demands. The cleaning never ends! The laundry laughable! I don't know if I would recommend it to just anyone. It is definitely for those with patience. I guess we are getting old and just take it in stride. It is however the most rewarding thing I have ever done! and.... it has only just begun! I am so thankful that God chose me and Marty to raise these three beautiful boys. Then again maybe it is a fairy tale? I pinch myself every day!













No comments:

Post a Comment