Boy…it feels so good to be home again. Towards the end is when it was really hitting me hard. I was ready to get us all back to some semblance of normalicy.
She was such a trooper on the planes. We had the hardest time at the airports. She was always ready to get into a line to get on a plane. But once we were on, she was great. We know that this was answer to prayers being lifted up on our behalf.
Our families met us at the airport…and my boys were sooo excited. They have played the last two days and loved it. I let them stay out of school on Monday, just so I could spend some time with them. (they think it was so they could spend time with their new sister!!) We were so thankful for the showing of support from our families…they have been so very good to us throughout this process…and they will never know how much it has meant to me. They have made it all the more wonderful for us. We enjoyed so much the emails of encouragement we received from both family and friends the entire time we were there. It sure was a good taste of home to get those messages. We were eager each day to read the new ones…so thank you thank you!!
We are busy trying to adjust. It is not easy I will be honest. She is so confused as to what is going on as well as teething, and having her days and nights mixed up. She is often having melt-downs when we tell her “no” or when it is bedtime. We are working so hard at keeping everything low-key so she can figure out just who we are, and who her brothers are, etc. We are hunkering down like hermit crabs for the week. It has not helped that I have caught some kind of virus that has given me blisters on the back of my throat. Hunter also is fighting congestion…so…being hermit crabs this week will be a blessing. I understand so much of what I have read on other blogs and information regarding attachment, now that we have our little one. I have heard over and over how important it is that only mom and dad care for the child until they make the connection about who we are. It is true…since we know she has no frame of reference about a family…all she has known is the orphanage for three years…as far as she knows, that is the way life is. It is hard to help others understand at times, but I know I have to step up and protect her and do what I know is right. She is trying to figure out who everyone is and how they fit into the picture…I first need to have her understand mom and dad, and then to understand who her brothers are. I know that nothing but prayer and time will remedy this. We are trusting the Lord to do a work in her heart to help her understand. If you think of us…say a prayer for her as well as us. ;o) I know you have been praying sooo long now…and we have so appreciated and felt them. Though our journey to Annalise is over, our journey to her heart has just begun.
I know there has not been much posted lately, and I can only say…we are still recouperating…it will probably continue to be more sparse than before. We thank you for your interest and your support.
Continually In His Watchcare,
Joy
Well, we have had breakfast in the room and went to Cbarro’s for lunch. I got a plain cheese slice for little miss, and she ate it. We were surprised and pleased. It is kind of misty today, so not much time to be outside. We went to the grocery again to get some babyfood, juice, and bananas. Life is a bit different here…since there are no cars for us to drive to the grocery, we have to carry the groceries back…so we can’t get too much at once, especially with little miss.
I know it seems silly, but I was so excited today since she let me fix her hair. I didn’t push the bow, but I did pull it up and it looks so cute. It reminds me of some of my little girl pics.
Less than 24 hours and we get to go home…I can’t wait…can’t wait to hold my boys and kiss their face…can’t wait to smell my house (yes, I’m crazy about smells)…can’t wait to sleep in my bed…can’t wait to relax on my couch…can’t wait to cook in my kitchen…can’t wait to go to my grocery store and buy food that I can actually read the labels. ;o) Yes, I am sooo homesick…but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If you think of us, pray for us for our trip. ;o)
In His Watchcare,
Joy
We figure we could go ahead and share her picture…
Hope you enjoy…
- Our Princess
Our little one must have known what our intentions were because she decided to wait until 1:00 am to finally fall asleep. We are still having a hard time at night with tantrums and not wanting to fall asleep. We know that by evening she is exhausted, but she fights it terribly. We are very tired. She did sleep to the airport and in the airplane for about 2 of the 4 hour flight. She really did good until descent which was only about 10 min. We have several days here in Moscow, and then it is the LONG flight…10.5 hours. :o( Pray for us on Friday please.
In His Watchcare,
Joy
Our elevator was repaired Monday afternoon thankfully. The stairs to the ninth floor were getting very old! It is much quieter now. We are on the top floor and the motor is quite close to our apartment. The changed the motor and the old one looked like it was from WWII. Glad we weren’t in it when it failed!
Last day in Kras! Packing and cleaning will prove to be a challenge with a three year old little girl. She thinks is fun to throw ALL the close out of the suitcase. Maybe bedtime will become a little earlier than 10:30 so we can pack after she is asleep since we have to be ready at 5:30am.
Daddy is offically sooooooooooooooo wrapped! We went to the mall and into the toys store (first mistake). We were
looking for a small container to put snacks in for her for the plane trip. Well I went in first to look quickly, daddy comes behind me. I turn around and here she comes with a stroller and baby doll(second mistake). B is just laughing and loving it. I said, you do know what this means now…you’re buying that for her, right. He grinned. The salesman looked appalled that we would let her stroll it around. I think he said, “What are you doing?? Your are going to buy this, right??” B thinks he said “Can I help you?” He looked a little too miffed to be saying only that. I told him, let’s hurry and get out of here…with the stroller of course. B thought it was funny. I saw it for what it really was…he’s wrapped!! Tooo funny.
Just thought I’d share our funny for the day.
She has enjoyed having drink throughout the day as well as food. We are trying to be careful about what we give her, so I have been giving her plain cornflakes (no sugar) and she loves them. She carries her drink often or puts it where she can get to it. We have been giving her mostly water, since she is drinking so much. Watered-down juice some of the time. Before she would just gulp the drink down, like she couldn’t get enough, now she has slowed down as well as with her food. She loves bananas still and apples, yogurt drink, mashed potatoes, bread, and cookies. We are back and forth on other things. I think she is a little more finicky because she is not hungry. We were told she would eat whatever is in front of her if she wants to eat. Now that she knows she has food available, she can afford to be a bit more picky. We are learning so much from her, and she is picking up quite a bit from us. She is very willing to try new words.
We have decided that just as our boys are 100% boy, our little girl is 100% girl!! She loves clothes, bows, and dolls.
Well, that is all for now.
In His Watchcare,
Joy
…is amazing! We quieted everything down, turned out the lights, and she brought all of her toys in with us in the livingroom. She hopped up on the couch with me, and it wasn’t five minutes, and she was out. I went back and forth about putting her in the bed with us, or putting her in the little bed right at the foot of ours. I decided to try her little bed. She slept until around 10:30 this morning without a peep. It was wonderful for mommy and daddy to get a good night’s sleep too. It sure makes a difference for us all. She is happy as a little lark again today.
In His Watchcare,
Joy
Yes, 6 or less hours of sleep. ;o) Won’t take any pics of mommy and daddy today. Our little one finally fell asleep while playing. She had not wanted anything to do with getting in the bed to sleep. She cried for quite awhile, and then we decided to use an alternative route, considering the fact that she just might be frightened. B had first shift, and let her play quietly with all the lights off except the bathroom light. She pulled all her clothes out of her suitcase, they tried on several outfits, layering sometimes, pulling off sometimes, they played with all the toys in the room, played with daddy’s phone, named everyone in the family, well, you get the picture. ;o) After several hours of quiet play B noticed she got really still, he took a brush and brushed her hair, and out she went. I took early morning shift, playing quietly while daddy slept. We ate breakfast together, and then daddy got up. We have played all day, eaten a lot, walked outside, and now are playing again inside. We are not sure what to expect tonight at bedtime. I think we both agree we will let her play it out. I know that it must be hard to be in her shoes, or socks as the case may be.
We keep forgetting to mention we were able to teach her how to give a kiss. B had played around a few times at the orphanage with a kiss sound. She smacked her lips, imitating him. Then she ran back and forth giving us kisses. On Friday, when we were leaving I blew her a kiss, and she blew one right back. B will pat his cheek to get her to give him a kiss, now she will pat her cheek for us to kiss her too. How fun!!
Looking forward to getting us back home and trying to get things settled with our family of five. I’m ready for some normalicy (is this a word?)
In His Watchcare,
Joy
We are having a great time, busy, busy, but havin’ a great time. They took the clothes we brought for her, and when she came out she looked like a beautiful babydoll! She has jabbered away ALL day long. Though we don’t always know her words, we know her intentions for us, most times! B is playing babydoll right now with her…dressing her in different clothes, wasn’t that always the fun part of playing babies? Annalise is exploring her new clothes and bows. Too fun!! She has eaten very well, and LOVES bananas. We have hardly had time to sit, so maybe we will lose that weight!! No time to sit, eat, or anything else! ;o) We are going to post pics in a few days, so hang in there. ;o)
We are in awe of God’s wonderful and rich blessings in this precious little angel!
In His Watchcare,
Joy