Just Pics

Jus' Chillin'

"I finally like this guy."

First day of Kindergarten.
The look on her face sums it up.

First day of school...but not for me!

Giardia Test Results

It's never good to hear from your doctor on a weekend. Test results are in for Sunder and she tested positive. Our doctor is certain I am positive also. I'm almost glad because finally I know what has been making life so miserable for me these last weeks. I learned that Sunder is a carrier of this lovely organism and that is why she hasn't shown any other symptoms. We will both pick up our medication tomorrow.

Here is a photo of our tiny unwelcome visitor. Yuckos!!

Tough Days

Sorry I've not been good at updating. We've had some difficulties at our house. Our oldest daughter is having a terrible time adjusting to sisterhood. She is acting out against me and the new baby. On top of that she just started full-day Kindergarten. Her whole world has been turned upside down and she is reacting in a very hostile way. I feel like our family could be on "Super Nanny" with the way she's been behaving, and I feel like I don't even know her right now. At the end of every day I am so exhausted from trying everything I can to deal with her and help her. But it seems all I do is loose my patience with her and then I feel guilty about being a horrid mother.

On top of that I began round 3 of stomache cramps/body aches, etc. We are being tested for Giardia (me and Sunder). Lovely. I am just focusing now on getting our health back, but I feel like someone took a rusty rake and scraped my insides out with it. Looking forward to brighter days when I can actually enjoy both kiddos...

One Month

One month ago we met a scared tantrum-throwing little girl. She was our new daughter. She was super clingy with me and wanted nothing to do with daddy.

What a difference one month makes. Now that we are back home, readjusted to the Denver time and getting on with normal life, we are finally able to see this beautiful child and get to know her more everyday. I now see her as inquisitive and easy-going. She is funny and always thinking and making new connections in her world. The tantrums are mostly gone now that we are communicating better. She still throws fits when she doesn't get her way. What 2 year old doesn't?

She is a great sleeper and a great eater. She loves bathtime and loves brushing her teeth. Her comfort item is a towel and she is occasionally up to mischief. Like the time she rinsed out her toothbrush in the toilet, or the time she decided to throw her scrambled eggs all over the house. She harasses her sister to no end, and then turns around and gives her a big hug as if to say, "Don't take it personally. I'm just doing my job." She lights up when daddy comes home and rushes to hug him!

I'm finishing my first week alone with the 2 kids as Corin went back to work. Overall it went very well. The hardest part has been Riley. She is having a tough time having to share me with another little person. (how come I was never this popular in High School?) She is really acting out lately. She starts full-day Kindergarten next week and I think it's just what she needs. A little space and something to call her own.

Here are a few more picture from Family Day, one month ago!

Fuzzy Warm Things

When you adopt a child it's always interesting to uncover what they already do and don't know. We got a kick out of discovering Sunder knows the use for nail clippers, hacky sacks, and mommy's bras! But when we were on the flight home I wanted her to stay warm so I pulled out some thick socks and put them on her feet. I could tell by her response that she had never worn socks before. Imagine that! She was awe-struck with these fuzzy warm things on her feet. She kept stroking them then looking up at me with a look of "Wow! These things are cool!" During the night on the plane she'd occasionally reach down and make sure they were still there. It was terribly cute.

Here are a few pics from the girls' time at the mall playarea this week.

It's Finally Happening!!

Sunder has been with us for three weeks. For three weeks my poor husband has endured her rejections. For three weeks he patiently held out his arms to her and was refused over and over again. But today for the very first time, he held out his arms to her and SHE WENT TO HIM!!! Not only that, but she seems to like him a little bit. This is huge and we are all so happy that they are finally connecting. Soon enough she will realize that daddy is the fun one :)

I have not fared well. Since returning I have been sick and so dang tired I can't even think straight. We've been home one week today and still can't get my feet underneath me. I have lost 10 pounds, which is not a good thing in my case. I am very weak and am trying to eat although nothing sounds good.

Sunder is doing so amazing. She is so comfortable with us, our extended family and our house. She is sleeping and eating great. She wakes up happy and full of chatter. She is using the sign language we've taught her. As a result our communication is getting SO much better and the tantrums have decreased dramatically. She likes order which makes me very happy, since I've been outnumbered in my household until now :) Now we have 2 orderly types and two messy ones. Everything is in good balance :)

Still working on the time change adjustment. Last night was our best yet. The kids went down at 7:30 and woke up and 5:30. We just gotta shift that a few more hours and we'll be golden!

Night or Day?

I forgot how hard it is to return from the other side of the world after 16 days. We have no clue if it's night or day. At any given moment, at least one person in our household is either sleeping or wishing they were! Our most likely time to be wide awake is from 4am to 10am. Least likely time to be awake... the entire afternoon.

I walk around the house in a groggy stupor. The kids are sleeping in the afternoon. I spend three hours wondering if I should wake them or let them sleep. It seems cruel to wake them when their bodies so desperately need the rest. But if they keep sleeping til 4 pm, we'll never get back on track. What to do? My head is too foggy to make rational decisions. Well, it turns out I don't have to decide. They are finally awake and... it's dinner time.

I find that we are very productive in the morning. We make a pancake breakfast, go for a morning stroll, complete the banking and grocery shopping. All done before 9am! I even went to exercise class today. Anything to create the illusion of having my life back. I remember last time it took us 10 days to adjust to the time change and get over jet-lag. We are on day three- ugh!


Here's some recent pics.On the plane ride home. Sleeping like a baby!

At the airport, waiting to be declared at US Citizen.

Our first family outing to the grocery store. I was nervous to go with two kids. Yeah, I know all of you with more than two are thinking, "What a lightweight." Hey, luckily my husband was with me. The girls loved the dual steering wheel cart, although it has the turn radius of a semi.