Can you tell they didn't feed me at the baby home? Oh, wait, I forgot, I was eating everyone else's food!
Some alternate titles that I was thinking of using for this post...."And Reality Sets In", or "Is the Summer Over Yet, and When Does School Start?", or "And I Thought The Trip Was Hard" or "I See a Monkey Backback with a Leash on it In Your Future".
ha ha
I have been debating whether to post or not, because I generally try to post when I have my sense of humor, and it has been lacking lately. But today was a pretty decent day, so I'll give it a try.
Things are going fine. We are a family in transition. The hardest hit is probably Natalie (I would claim the spot myself, but since I'm the adult, I'll give her the title). Poor Natalie, who was Queen of the Castle and a 24 hr a day momma's girl. To the bottom of her sweet little heart she wanted Owen to come home. But she didn't realize what it/he would be like. To be honest, I think I forgot also what a 19 m.o. would be like. Natalie now bears the mark of all 9+ teeth in Owen's mouth...on her back. She has asked several times if we are sure he is going to be here forever. Oh yes, and that picture from the first morning when both of the older two wanted to sit right next to Owen for breakfast. You will never see a picture like that again. Now they want to sit far away...at least as far as 19 month old arms can reach, and a good two feet extra.
Owen actually seems to be doing pretty well. He seems to be on his way to bonding with me quite well, although he has taken over Natalie's title of Velcro Baby (MUCH to her dismay). I have to say, however, that our dear translator, Olga, who described Owen as "shy, reserved, and more of a watcher" may not have ever visited Baby Home #95. For it seems to be that Owen may have been King of the Orphanage. He blew through here like a Category 5 hurricane. And he is a man with no fear. Especially no fear of falling. He will climb on anything and turn to dive or step off of it, no matter how high. I am going to have totally white hair soon. We took him to the mall play area (I know, so soon! but the tension in the house was rising), and he had the biggest grin on his face...as he blew through the place, pushing big kids out of his way, terrorizing children, and climbing to the highest point and attempting to dive off. The good news is, that Jim may have his hockey player. Even if he ends up pint-sized, I think this one will be a tough one.
That said...we have had our sweet moments. Owen likes to gently pat my cheeks and do little kisses and then he touches my nose with his finger and smiles. He does have gentle eyes and a sweet smile (which is different from the crazed smile that shows all his teeth). I am beginning to realize that the crazy look comes out when he's tired, and also that wide open spaces seem to rev him up. It's like that hamster in the ball in the movie Bolt, who when released, shouts "I've never felt so FREEEEEEE!" I'm sure wide open spaces and the ability to run like crazy probably weren't typical orphanage days. When he is strapped into a highchair or stroller he is perfectly docile and quite polite and pleasant. If only I could wheel him around in that stroller everywhere. (Kidding) He is eating like CRAZY, though not in a hoarding, frantic sort of way. He eats more than Natalie and Liam combined right now. He trys to say Ball (his favorite toy), and More, and constantly says Papa (with the emphasis on the last syllable which makes him sound French, and oh so cute..PaPA!). He does NOT like the cat, and went from being scared of him to trying to hunt him down and hit him with things. Tigger is not a cat to be hunted down, so I expect an ER visit soon. He also loves bath now (hated it in Moscow), and the pool, or sprinkler. He loves his monkey backback with a leash, but we really haven't used it yet so he doesn't know the intent of that leash.
Grandma and Grandpa left several days ago, so I've had my first 3 days with Jim working and me home with the three. I cried when the grandparents left. 90% because I will miss them, and grew used to having them here. 10% because I was afraid to be left alone.
So all is good. Especially when they are all three sleeping. :-) Which reminds me - no time to blog - I need to sleep before one of them wakes up early.
2 comments:
I could have written this post about my "Bruiser". We've been home almost 7 months and he is still into everything and very head strong, determined little boy.
I can so relate to the feeling you had when the grandparents left. I cried too, I was afraid of what my 4 would do. My only saving grace was that my older two were in school.
How many more days until 1st grade ;-)
Hang in there, it gets better once you have your routine.
I feel for you and know what you are going through completely. And, it will get better.
When you get past the, only thing that will make me feel better is sleep phase, I would love to talk. I truly believe we are going through the same thing (although I only have two kids.) But, I am often found walking around carrying a child in each arm. Anytime I have one in my arms the other comes crying that they want up too.
Owen climbs on everything with no fear, although he doesn't jump unless it is into open arms.
Rest when you can, get out when you need to, don't forget to eat, and try to find time for yourself at least once a week. Those are my best words of advice.
Your family in transition will just be family in no time!
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