I can't beleive it's been since October 22nd since I posted. I started one after the conference and it's been nuts trying to keep up with everything going into the holidays. Since I'm off for Christmas I can catch up :)
The week after the conference could have been a disaster. I was so afraid that I would have a traumatized child when I came back from my conference. I've heard of regression on the development with adopted kids when you leave them for the first time. But they did Great! Daddy took her to daycare everyday and kept her to the same schedule. She didn't resent me when I came back. She was a little clingy on day after I cam back, but she did fantastic.
Halloween Alina was dressed as Minny Mouse. A friend of mine doesn't have little kids and she wanted to buy Alinas outfit. So she got the frilliest, pinkest thing she could find and that was it. It was SOOO cute. It was a 2T and if this tells you anything...she will never be able to wear it again because it was snug. Alina is growing like gangbusters.
When we got her in March, she was wearing 9-12 months clothes. Within two months of being home, she was already in 12-18 months. That was at the 1 year mark. Now she's 19 months and we're having to use 2T pants and 3T shirts because she's growing so fast and her belly pokes out of the 2T shirst. Looks like she's wearing tank tops with sleeves. She's actually quite trim, but just so tall. She's about a head taller than any other kid in her class and all of them are 2-5 months older than her. She's also growing out of her shoes too fast. She wears them hard, wears them out, and jumps into a new size within 3 months. We are now in 6 1/2 Wides. My little Amazon.
November was pretty routine and she did very well. Thanksgiving I had Andy's Aunt, Mom, and 3 of my students from school. All my students were from Korea. They ate lots of food, took all my leftovers, and Alina put on a show for them. She loves being the center of group attention. She doens't go to other people immediately which is great, she's cautious and loves to sit with Mommy, Daddy, or one of the Grandparents most of the time. But after about 20 minutes, she realizes that others are okay with Mommy and Daddy around and she starts turning on the charm. Flashes that huge smile and interacts with them.
Alina wasn't a huge fan of Turkey. She ate it, but she is more of a veggie/starch girl. She adores Stove Top Stuffing (making note to self to make some), hates green bean anything (except with ketchup-yuck), and likes cranberry salad/relish. She ate a bit of pumpkin pie, but wasn't impressed too much. Apple pie is a huge hit.
After Thanksgiving, I was hard pressed to get everything started for Christmas. I can't beleive our first Christmas is just two days away. We found out we were traveling to Russia the last week of January this time last year. It's impossible for me to imagine that journey just beginning and where we are now. Alina has become such an integral part of our lives since the beginning. I just don't feel like she's never been there. She's the child of my heart and God's blessing on our family more than anything you could imagine.
I wasn't sure how Alina would deal with ornaments. Sometimes she is so delicate when dealing with things...other times she just flings stuff around. So I put the artificial tree (yes, I know...we need a real tree...) up with lights. A blank slate. I weeded through our ornaments and just brought out ones that she could handle and I didn't have to worry about them. I showed it to her and put the first one on the tree. She went 'OOOO...Ahhh'...promptly walked over to my ornament box and got one more and brought it to me. I showed her where to put it and she put it on the tree. Okay not ON, more like IN. But it was so cute and neat. She continued to bring ornaments to me and put it in the same spot. So our system was I would move the ornaments up and back and she'd keep filling in that one spot. We decorated the whole thing together. She looks at it and fingers the ornaments occasionally, but really doens't mess with it much. She doesn't bother the presents either. I've been so impressed with her on that.
We're trying SOO hard not to overkill things this Christmas but I don't know how possible that will be. I bought about 8 presents and a millions stocking stuffers. I've put about 6 presents away for her Birthday in April. I can already see that the grandparents are going slightly demented about things, so I thought that was economical of me. Fortunately, I think we're getting some clothes for her for Christmas. We need that...she's growing out of her 2T/3T stuff too fast. Mom is bringing two pairs of shoes for Christmas. I've held off buying, knowing that was coming. Thank you for grandparents.
My Mom and Andy's Mom is coming up for Christmas. We will head down for New Year's weekend to my father's to celebrate Christmas again with them. Love to all of you. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Those of you still looking waiting to finish your forever family...it's worth the wait, the heartache to get there, and the expense. Don't lose hope, don't give up, and give the glory to God. He will hold you in His hands and carry you down the right path.
Much love to all.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Independent Girl
Well, we've had a very intersting development today. Alina can do stairs.
I kept taking Alina to the park this summer trying to get her comfortable with the swings, slide, and water. Some things worked and some things didn't. Ever since she's started walking she's been completely afraid or opposed to going up or down stairs. She's been going to daycare since late August and they go to the playground, but the area she plays in doesn't have a big slide just a baby baby slide.
Well, apparently that along with her confidence has resulted in a confident young lady.
Yesterday, I took the day off becuase I had to go to the doctor. I got her out of the daycare early and we went to the park. Alina went into the park and was having the best time. She wanted to go swing. She wanted this swing and then she insisted that we switch to the other swing and then back to the previous swing. She thought all of that was a hoot. Then we went to the big central play area. Big as brass she climbed the 4 stairs up onto the bridge area. I encouraged her and she walked across to the slide and sat down and slid down the slide!! I was so shocked because that the first I'd been able to get her to do anything like that.
Then we came home and she asked (well grunted and pointed -- she still doesn't talk much) to be put down at the top of the stairs. We have leveled stairs going down into the yard and then 12 steps going up into the house. She grabbed the rail and went all the way down and then all the way up. She's done the up before, but down has had her intimidated. It was so cute and she was so smug about it.
But its so great to see her being stronger in her walking and climbing. We've gotten some good Stride Rite shoes and she's doing so much better with them than some of the other shoes we've tried.
Next week is a bit of another hurdle. I'm going to a conference. So I'm leaving her for the first time overnight...for 3 days. I don't know whose going to have it harder, Andy with doing everything or my nerves. I think Alina will probably be fine, but I'm afraid I'll come home to a mad baby. But she doesn't hold grudges.
Much love to all.
I kept taking Alina to the park this summer trying to get her comfortable with the swings, slide, and water. Some things worked and some things didn't. Ever since she's started walking she's been completely afraid or opposed to going up or down stairs. She's been going to daycare since late August and they go to the playground, but the area she plays in doesn't have a big slide just a baby baby slide.
Well, apparently that along with her confidence has resulted in a confident young lady.
Yesterday, I took the day off becuase I had to go to the doctor. I got her out of the daycare early and we went to the park. Alina went into the park and was having the best time. She wanted to go swing. She wanted this swing and then she insisted that we switch to the other swing and then back to the previous swing. She thought all of that was a hoot. Then we went to the big central play area. Big as brass she climbed the 4 stairs up onto the bridge area. I encouraged her and she walked across to the slide and sat down and slid down the slide!! I was so shocked because that the first I'd been able to get her to do anything like that.
Then we came home and she asked (well grunted and pointed -- she still doesn't talk much) to be put down at the top of the stairs. We have leveled stairs going down into the yard and then 12 steps going up into the house. She grabbed the rail and went all the way down and then all the way up. She's done the up before, but down has had her intimidated. It was so cute and she was so smug about it.
But its so great to see her being stronger in her walking and climbing. We've gotten some good Stride Rite shoes and she's doing so much better with them than some of the other shoes we've tried.
Next week is a bit of another hurdle. I'm going to a conference. So I'm leaving her for the first time overnight...for 3 days. I don't know whose going to have it harder, Andy with doing everything or my nerves. I think Alina will probably be fine, but I'm afraid I'll come home to a mad baby. But she doesn't hold grudges.
Much love to all.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Cutie pie..
Okay, I know...I'm prejudiced...I think my little bit is the cutest little munchkin on the planet. She and I are having so much fun now that she's getting bigger. She's starting to be more interactive with her toys and with me and Andy. She's discovered that she likes squishy things like blankets, stuffed animals, balls, towels, and Mommy. So she's hugging everything. She goes 'baby' and makes me hug them. I give them back and she hugs them and giggles.
We've also been practicing blowing kisses. She blows kisses at me from the back seat and I grab them and take them. I was putting her to bed last night after doing bed boucing. She had laughed so hard I think she was about to bust a gut. She giggled all the way to bed and as I was going out the door she blew me a kiss.
We are still struggling with who is in charge and how to she should express herself when she wants something, but we're coming along.
We got rid of some of her older toys she was bored with at a consignment sale and we bought some other ones. She loves her mega block legos and books. Total book fiend...she sits and looks at her books all the time or gives them to us to read to her as well.
Well...that's an update for now. Much love to all.
We've also been practicing blowing kisses. She blows kisses at me from the back seat and I grab them and take them. I was putting her to bed last night after doing bed boucing. She had laughed so hard I think she was about to bust a gut. She giggled all the way to bed and as I was going out the door she blew me a kiss.
We are still struggling with who is in charge and how to she should express herself when she wants something, but we're coming along.
We got rid of some of her older toys she was bored with at a consignment sale and we bought some other ones. She loves her mega block legos and books. Total book fiend...she sits and looks at her books all the time or gives them to us to read to her as well.
Well...that's an update for now. Much love to all.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Urge to post...
It's funny, but when I'm out of town is when I get the biggest urges to blog. I guess it started when we came home with little bit. It's been 6 months since we came home with Alina this week. I can't begin to say how different it is now compared to in the beginning.
Alina flew with me yesterday to a family reunion in Raleigh, NC. This is Nana's family (my Mom). We hooked up back in June with Andy's extended family in Michigan. One of my cousins was turning 90 so her only wish was a family reunion which hadn't happened in about 3-4 years.
I was worried about flying with Alina by myself. It was the first time flying without Andy and changing planes. We did great though. Love the Nashville Airport, they had a kids playing area right across from the gate where we were waiting for our flight to Raleigh. Got lucky in that the Raleigh flight had plenty of space so Alina had her own seat. She's such much easier to entertain as a self seated toddler versus the smaller munchkin. We looked at books for the first 30 minutes of the flight...ate pretzels...and played puppet games with the bag they put for sick people. So it worked out great.
Alina turned on the charm at the reunion looking all cute. Her hair has grown so much her bangs were almost to her nose so Mom cut her hair this morning. It was nice to see her eyes...she batted them and was cute and smiley. Fortunately we were at cousin Janey's house and she had a Pack-n-Play so Alina crashed for about 2 hours this afternoon for a nap. She with down without a fuss tonight as well in the hotel, snoozing right along after having a full day of fun, food, and then running around in the hotel and hotel room for about an hour. She sighed and rolled over to sleep...she's such a blessing and fortuantely for me a good little traveler.
Well, back home tommorrow. We fly through Balimore on the way back so it's a little longer trip. I hope I'm as lucky with empty planes.
Much love to all.
Alina flew with me yesterday to a family reunion in Raleigh, NC. This is Nana's family (my Mom). We hooked up back in June with Andy's extended family in Michigan. One of my cousins was turning 90 so her only wish was a family reunion which hadn't happened in about 3-4 years.
I was worried about flying with Alina by myself. It was the first time flying without Andy and changing planes. We did great though. Love the Nashville Airport, they had a kids playing area right across from the gate where we were waiting for our flight to Raleigh. Got lucky in that the Raleigh flight had plenty of space so Alina had her own seat. She's such much easier to entertain as a self seated toddler versus the smaller munchkin. We looked at books for the first 30 minutes of the flight...ate pretzels...and played puppet games with the bag they put for sick people. So it worked out great.
Alina turned on the charm at the reunion looking all cute. Her hair has grown so much her bangs were almost to her nose so Mom cut her hair this morning. It was nice to see her eyes...she batted them and was cute and smiley. Fortunately we were at cousin Janey's house and she had a Pack-n-Play so Alina crashed for about 2 hours this afternoon for a nap. She with down without a fuss tonight as well in the hotel, snoozing right along after having a full day of fun, food, and then running around in the hotel and hotel room for about an hour. She sighed and rolled over to sleep...she's such a blessing and fortuantely for me a good little traveler.
Well, back home tommorrow. We fly through Balimore on the way back so it's a little longer trip. I hope I'm as lucky with empty planes.
Much love to all.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sand in odd places...
There are things you want in life for your child. Straight teeth (Andy wants to avoid orthodontics), happiness, health, and generally you want them to feel safe. Well, silly girl,where Alina reacts opposite to what I expect.
Saturday we went to Gulf Shores and went to the beach for the first time. Alina had seen sand in June in Michigan, but it was so cold we couldn't stay long and she didn't want to touch the sand. Well she screamed and cried when I tried to put her onto the sand...but walking into the ocean we got swatted by a salty wave. She squealed in delight.
Kid absolutely loves water. I think she's going to be a fish once we teach her how to swim. I found out the YMCA has a class for Moms and kids starting when they are 3years old to learn how to swim. I'm going to work on her sooner though.
We saw my father and stepmother in Gulf Shores. Pop (my Dad) hadn't seen Alina walking and his first sight of her was when we were coming towards the restaurant. Alina was stomping her way on the sidewalk straight at him. I could see him melt. She's got him and her Daddy just twisted around her cute little finger.
I can definately say, she's got me too.
Daycare is going much better. This morning I took her into her class and put her morning snack down. She sat there pretty as a picture eating her cataloupe and watching some kind of kids show. I blew her a kiss and said 'bye bye'. She blew me one back, smiled, and turned back to her show. It was so funny. I felt dismissed by the queen. She's quite the character.
Well, love to you all...
Saturday we went to Gulf Shores and went to the beach for the first time. Alina had seen sand in June in Michigan, but it was so cold we couldn't stay long and she didn't want to touch the sand. Well she screamed and cried when I tried to put her onto the sand...but walking into the ocean we got swatted by a salty wave. She squealed in delight.
Kid absolutely loves water. I think she's going to be a fish once we teach her how to swim. I found out the YMCA has a class for Moms and kids starting when they are 3years old to learn how to swim. I'm going to work on her sooner though.
We saw my father and stepmother in Gulf Shores. Pop (my Dad) hadn't seen Alina walking and his first sight of her was when we were coming towards the restaurant. Alina was stomping her way on the sidewalk straight at him. I could see him melt. She's got him and her Daddy just twisted around her cute little finger.
I can definately say, she's got me too.
Daycare is going much better. This morning I took her into her class and put her morning snack down. She sat there pretty as a picture eating her cataloupe and watching some kind of kids show. I blew her a kiss and said 'bye bye'. She blew me one back, smiled, and turned back to her show. It was so funny. I felt dismissed by the queen. She's quite the character.
Well, love to you all...
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jealousy
Okay, I'm jealous. Alina is being stubborn. She calls out when she sees Andy now 'Dada' in that cute squeaky voice. She used to say 'Mama' occassionally, but now she won't say it all. It's all Dada...Dada...Dada...(no petty jealousy here).
Andy says it's just her word of the moment so she will wear it out and then pick something else.
Daycare was all week this week for the first time. No breaks, but she's done great. It's worked out well...I take her in the morning and Andy picks her up. He's a teacher so he gets off about an hour before I would and they are already home by the time I get home.
I thought originally that daycare would wear Munchkin out, but nooo....she's wired up. She plays all day...naps less...but is even more hyper. What's the deal with that. But she still goes to bed easy at night which a huge blessing. We've had to push her bedtime about 1/2 hour in order to get her to bed and she's ready to go easily.
Love to all.
Andy says it's just her word of the moment so she will wear it out and then pick something else.
Daycare was all week this week for the first time. No breaks, but she's done great. It's worked out well...I take her in the morning and Andy picks her up. He's a teacher so he gets off about an hour before I would and they are already home by the time I get home.
I thought originally that daycare would wear Munchkin out, but nooo....she's wired up. She plays all day...naps less...but is even more hyper. What's the deal with that. But she still goes to bed easy at night which a huge blessing. We've had to push her bedtime about 1/2 hour in order to get her to bed and she's ready to go easily.
Love to all.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Over 4 months..hitting daycare
I was remembering about two weeks ago about the journey of the last 4 months. We came home with our little girl on March 28th. It's unbelievable to me that I've had this wonderful addition to my life such a short time ago, but she's become such an integral part of all of our lives.
We've turned this little girls life upside down and inside out since we snatched her out of her baby home. She's not that withdrawn little girl we were playing with quietly. She's a dive bombing little amazon who is running around. She used to be quiet and introspective to start. Now she's coming with books and presenting them to Mommy or Daddy to read to her. I don't know if she'd ever seen a book much before we saw her. She didn't know what to do with one other than chew on it or throw it. Now we MUST read or she is not happy.
She clearly knows her name is Alina...but also answers to Munchkin, Munchie, and booboo. Don't ask me how we ended up with these ridiculous nicknames, but we did.
When we first started everything, I was the primary caregiver for almost 12 weeks. Then Andy took over and we introduced Mother's Day Out 2 days per week. (Okay as Andy demands, Father's Day Out). Well this past two weeks we've introduced Nana (Grandma) care for a week and then this week we started Daycare....lots of changes in a little girls life.
Monday we started daycare at our church. We deliberately waited for our church daycare and also tried very hard to make this transition week easier with my Mom's help. She's been getting her out a little earlier than we will starting next week. The first day we went to daycare and all the other children that were there were so tiny and bald. Alina was a head taller and has so much hair.
We thought it was because she is so much bigger. Yesterday I went to class to drop her off with her teacher and I saw all the 5 other children. None of them walk yet. She looked like the Jolly Green Giant with munchkins from the wizard of oz. I asked how old they were and they were 9-12 months. Alina is 16 months now. They had put her in the wrong class. So after 3 days of trying to return her to a morning nap, they've put her into the right class with other 16-18 months kids. She will be with 4 little boys and 1 little girl...we shall see how this change goes...
Sorry I haven't updated the blog in so long, but we've been swamped with work and life. Love to you all. I'll try to be more regular about it.
We've turned this little girls life upside down and inside out since we snatched her out of her baby home. She's not that withdrawn little girl we were playing with quietly. She's a dive bombing little amazon who is running around. She used to be quiet and introspective to start. Now she's coming with books and presenting them to Mommy or Daddy to read to her. I don't know if she'd ever seen a book much before we saw her. She didn't know what to do with one other than chew on it or throw it. Now we MUST read or she is not happy.
She clearly knows her name is Alina...but also answers to Munchkin, Munchie, and booboo. Don't ask me how we ended up with these ridiculous nicknames, but we did.
When we first started everything, I was the primary caregiver for almost 12 weeks. Then Andy took over and we introduced Mother's Day Out 2 days per week. (Okay as Andy demands, Father's Day Out). Well this past two weeks we've introduced Nana (Grandma) care for a week and then this week we started Daycare....lots of changes in a little girls life.
Monday we started daycare at our church. We deliberately waited for our church daycare and also tried very hard to make this transition week easier with my Mom's help. She's been getting her out a little earlier than we will starting next week. The first day we went to daycare and all the other children that were there were so tiny and bald. Alina was a head taller and has so much hair.
We thought it was because she is so much bigger. Yesterday I went to class to drop her off with her teacher and I saw all the 5 other children. None of them walk yet. She looked like the Jolly Green Giant with munchkins from the wizard of oz. I asked how old they were and they were 9-12 months. Alina is 16 months now. They had put her in the wrong class. So after 3 days of trying to return her to a morning nap, they've put her into the right class with other 16-18 months kids. She will be with 4 little boys and 1 little girl...we shall see how this change goes...
Sorry I haven't updated the blog in so long, but we've been swamped with work and life. Love to you all. I'll try to be more regular about it.
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