I haven't posted for a couple days because I am frustrated and don't want to have this be too negative. After the weekend of everything going so smoothly, we were waiting for the final shoe to drop....it usually does, right?
Monday, we spent over 2.5 hours at the embassy. In the end, we had the visa interview and we were told that the Visa would be done on Tuesday and we could pick it up at 3pm. Being pretty excited, we booked our return plane tickets and were excited to have our family all together Wednesday evening.
Tuesday morning, our phone rang and it was the embassy. I was excited thinking they were calling to tell us that the visa was ready and we could come anytime. Well....no. They were calling to tell us that the biometric photo recognition clearance had not come back yet. (Don't ask what that means because I'm not really sure) It was still possible for it to come in the afternoon, but nothing could be done until that clearance came back. So, we waited. The minutes seemed to tick by faster than normal. Around 4:30, the cell rang again and they said that the visa would not be ready.
We got up pretty early today thinking they would call us. Our phone remained silent until 11:30. It was a different person this time, but still it wasn't good news. Now, her visa is "stuck in the computer." They had to send a request to have it fixed....the computer held desk is in DC. I'm assuming that they do not work 24 hours. The only way we can leave tomorrow is for the help desk to get it fixed so the embassy can print her visa. Otherwise, we remain here. Right now, we have no idea how long.
My heart hurts. My head hurts. I just want to go home.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
So very soon
We have been away from our boys for 2 weeks and 1 day. It seems so much longer than that. Now, don't get me wrong, our girlie is worth the trip! She is worth the stress and paperwork and fees. But still, not having our boys around is not fun. But, we will be going home so very soon!
When we applied for Jovana's passport on Friday, they assured us that it would be available for pickup on Saturday. Although they seemed certain, I just did not believe it. I had never heard of anyone getting their child's passport on a Saturday. Still, though, we went to the police station on Saturday afternoon. We were there less than 20 minutes and walked out with a shiny new passport with our girl's new name and her beautiful face.
Z called the doctor who does physicals for the US Embassy right after we left the police station. She told him that it might be possible to do the physical that evening. She ended up not being able to do it, but she DID do it today. A passport on Saturday and a physical on Sunday? I couldn't be happier about that!
J was not happy about seeing the doctor. Taking her clothes off was the first offense. Then, she tried to see what the doctor was writing and the doctor said something to her that offended her because she shrank back into my arms and whimpered. Then, Lord have mercy, we made her stand up! Oh, the horror! Our 5 minute physical was complete and the doctor said we could go back to the waiting room. I stood up and J put her arms up for me to carry her. I told her she could walk and she started screaming. This poor child is in for a rude awakening. I LOVE her being close, but she certainly is capable of walking. I truly believe she still wobbles and has lower muscle tone because she was carried everywhere. Anyway, the doctor again fussed at her (telling her she needed to walk) and she stopped screaming but continued to whine. But, for all her fussing, we got her completed medical form so we have everything we need for our 2pm Embassy appointment tomorrow. I can breathe a sigh of relief!
On the way back to the apartment, we had Z stop at McDonalds....our first visit since we've been here. Hubby and I got something for ourselves and also got 2 Happy Meals (we wanted 2 toys for the boys). Once we got back, I handed J a pack of French fries and she chowed down! I offered her a burger and she contemplated it for quite a while. She held it and looked it up and down, then handed it back to me with a, "Ne." She finished the first pack of fries and then tried to take some from my plate! So, I pulled out the 2nd pack of fries from the other Happy Meal and she ate half of that pack too. She was one happy girl! She took a couple sips of Coke, but I don't think she liked the bubbles. Neither of the boys did either, so that didn't surprise me. I think she ate more tonight than she has in 2 days. Our trip to the foster home set us back a few days in the food department. It seems that McDonalds makes our princess happy (although Mama taking pictures seems to have lost its appeal)
When we applied for Jovana's passport on Friday, they assured us that it would be available for pickup on Saturday. Although they seemed certain, I just did not believe it. I had never heard of anyone getting their child's passport on a Saturday. Still, though, we went to the police station on Saturday afternoon. We were there less than 20 minutes and walked out with a shiny new passport with our girl's new name and her beautiful face.
Z called the doctor who does physicals for the US Embassy right after we left the police station. She told him that it might be possible to do the physical that evening. She ended up not being able to do it, but she DID do it today. A passport on Saturday and a physical on Sunday? I couldn't be happier about that!
J was not happy about seeing the doctor. Taking her clothes off was the first offense. Then, she tried to see what the doctor was writing and the doctor said something to her that offended her because she shrank back into my arms and whimpered. Then, Lord have mercy, we made her stand up! Oh, the horror! Our 5 minute physical was complete and the doctor said we could go back to the waiting room. I stood up and J put her arms up for me to carry her. I told her she could walk and she started screaming. This poor child is in for a rude awakening. I LOVE her being close, but she certainly is capable of walking. I truly believe she still wobbles and has lower muscle tone because she was carried everywhere. Anyway, the doctor again fussed at her (telling her she needed to walk) and she stopped screaming but continued to whine. But, for all her fussing, we got her completed medical form so we have everything we need for our 2pm Embassy appointment tomorrow. I can breathe a sigh of relief!
On the way back to the apartment, we had Z stop at McDonalds....our first visit since we've been here. Hubby and I got something for ourselves and also got 2 Happy Meals (we wanted 2 toys for the boys). Once we got back, I handed J a pack of French fries and she chowed down! I offered her a burger and she contemplated it for quite a while. She held it and looked it up and down, then handed it back to me with a, "Ne." She finished the first pack of fries and then tried to take some from my plate! So, I pulled out the 2nd pack of fries from the other Happy Meal and she ate half of that pack too. She was one happy girl! She took a couple sips of Coke, but I don't think she liked the bubbles. Neither of the boys did either, so that didn't surprise me. I think she ate more tonight than she has in 2 days. Our trip to the foster home set us back a few days in the food department. It seems that McDonalds makes our princess happy (although Mama taking pictures seems to have lost its appeal)
Friday, January 30, 2015
She is ours!
Today is mine and Hubby's 5th anniversary. We were more than willing to share this day with our precious little girl because today was her adoption day.
I have waited many years to be blessed with a daughter and she is the best blessing I could have ever prayed for!
Our ceremony was scheduled for 11am. It was very informal and we were done by 11:30. After the ceremony, we found out that there was a glitch that could have presented a real problem. Two days ago, it was discovered that she was born in the capital city versus the city where we were having our ceremony. Since the birth certificate and citizenship papers (documents needed to get her passport) have to be issued in her birth place, if that fact would not have been discovered until today, we could have had delay of a few days. We are so thankful that they discovered it and the lawyer was able to travel the half hour today to get the documents we needed. I am so very impressed with how well our little one handled the 2 hours of waiting. She was a little antsy, but nothing too bad. She was incredibly tired and I thought she had drifted off several times (resting on my shoulder) but she always woke up pretty quickly. Just as she was starting to get really grumpy, the lawyer was back and we were off to the police station to apply for her passport. The police station was very efficient and we were finished quicker than we could have imagined. We were told that her passport should be available for us to pick up tomorrow. I have never heard of a passport being available for pickup on a weekend, but we are praying that is true. Once we have her passport in hand, we can schedule her medical. As of now, we have an appointment at the Embassy at 2pm on Monday. The exact day we get to come home is still a little fuzzy, but we are so close!
The Lord has blessed us beyond measure! Continue praying for our little one, please! She started with a small cough yesterday and she sounds pretty congested today. I just pray that she is feeling better before our flight home. I would hate for her to be feeling bad during our long travel day.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to our daughter. This is Jovana Breen!
I have waited many years to be blessed with a daughter and she is the best blessing I could have ever prayed for!
Our ceremony was scheduled for 11am. It was very informal and we were done by 11:30. After the ceremony, we found out that there was a glitch that could have presented a real problem. Two days ago, it was discovered that she was born in the capital city versus the city where we were having our ceremony. Since the birth certificate and citizenship papers (documents needed to get her passport) have to be issued in her birth place, if that fact would not have been discovered until today, we could have had delay of a few days. We are so thankful that they discovered it and the lawyer was able to travel the half hour today to get the documents we needed. I am so very impressed with how well our little one handled the 2 hours of waiting. She was a little antsy, but nothing too bad. She was incredibly tired and I thought she had drifted off several times (resting on my shoulder) but she always woke up pretty quickly. Just as she was starting to get really grumpy, the lawyer was back and we were off to the police station to apply for her passport. The police station was very efficient and we were finished quicker than we could have imagined. We were told that her passport should be available for us to pick up tomorrow. I have never heard of a passport being available for pickup on a weekend, but we are praying that is true. Once we have her passport in hand, we can schedule her medical. As of now, we have an appointment at the Embassy at 2pm on Monday. The exact day we get to come home is still a little fuzzy, but we are so close!
The Lord has blessed us beyond measure! Continue praying for our little one, please! She started with a small cough yesterday and she sounds pretty congested today. I just pray that she is feeling better before our flight home. I would hate for her to be feeling bad during our long travel day.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to our daughter. This is Jovana Breen!
I'm sorry that I don't have a picture from today. I was fighting a migraine most of the day and completely spaced on taking pictures. Hubby did take a couple, but his computer is giving him fits about emailing. I will post some of her on her adoption day very soon!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Prayers worked!
You all were praying with us, weren't ya, weren't ya, weren't ya??? I didn't blog yesterday because I was tired and we hadn't heard anything new or done anything new and it made me blah. :( Well, I guess we had heard something new, but it wasn't something we wanted to hear. We were told that the Minister would not be signing because he had traveled to Auschwitz for the 70th anniversary of the liberation. At first, we were told that it was just for the day. Then, later, we were told that he would be there until the end of the week. Needless to say, we were bummed.
On Monday, the social worker had contacted Z to say that she wanted to come to the apartment to see us. We were confused because they had already written the reports and sent them to the Ministry. Still, you can't say no. :) They arrived about 9:30 and at 10:15, Z's phone rang. It was the Ministry and they told him that the Minister had decided to come back.....AND HE HAD SIGNED OUR DOCUMENTS!!! At first, the social worker said that it would probably be best to put our adoption ceremony off until Tues. We are so very thankful for Z because he worked his magic, and our ceremony is on FRIDAY! The coolest part about that is Friday is our anniversary. :)
I can't really think to write any more right now. We are just a little excited over here!
On Monday, the social worker had contacted Z to say that she wanted to come to the apartment to see us. We were confused because they had already written the reports and sent them to the Ministry. Still, you can't say no. :) They arrived about 9:30 and at 10:15, Z's phone rang. It was the Ministry and they told him that the Minister had decided to come back.....AND HE HAD SIGNED OUR DOCUMENTS!!! At first, the social worker said that it would probably be best to put our adoption ceremony off until Tues. We are so very thankful for Z because he worked his magic, and our ceremony is on FRIDAY! The coolest part about that is Friday is our anniversary. :)
I can't really think to write any more right now. We are just a little excited over here!
Monday, January 26, 2015
Hurry up and wait
We are at the point in this adoption where we wait....and wait....and wait. This is not to say that nothing is happening with our process. The powers that be have been doing paperwork. The final report was submitted today. The Ministry is busy tidying up those reports and they should be delivered to the Minister tomorrow. We are praying he is in the office and that our documents are high on his priority list. (I'm not self-centered at all, lol) Once we have that signature, our ceremony will be scheduled and that is the day she is officially our daughter. :) Then we have 3-4 business days of more paperwork - getting her new birth certificate and passport, having her medical done, and then to the embassy for her Visa! Once all that is done (I don't think I'm leaving anything out) we can board a plane for home!
So, today was much like yesterday and the day before. It is cold, rainy/snowy, and walking in both directions is uphill. Our little bean is still kind of wobbly on her feet and does not like we make her walk instead of carrying her. Hubby has started slowly sliding her off the couch so that she has to pull herself up. The first time he did this, she held her arms up for him to put her back. When he wouldn't do it, she screamed and pointed her little finger at him. I can only imagine what she was saying! I see physical therapy in our future because she has so little strength. Her foster family held her a lot so her leg muscles especially have not been built like they should be. She also has some pretty tight muscles. I was trying to stretch her foot yesterday and realized that she cannot point her toes....the muscles are just too tight. Any advice from therapy Mamas is appreciated!
I did go for a small walk myself today. I forgot how steep the hill is! When I said that to Z, he told me that I should start walking the hill everyday. That way, when I go home, I will have a Kim Kardashian backside. I told him I would rather not be compared to her and he just shrugged. He is a loony toon but he makes us laugh.
Our girlie is starting to relax a bit with us. The biggest reason I know this is that she is starting to eat.....and she tries everything! I gave her some cheerios mixed with a kind of thin yogurt drink. She ate and ate! I walked into the living room this afternoon with a slim jim (don't judge me!) and she grunted at me. I let her try it but she decided it wasn't good and stuck her tongue out. :) But she tried it. For dinner, I gave her some pasta and mixed veggies. I had also bought a jar of apple/carrot baby food. She gagged when I gave her a bite so I guess that was a bust. A couple hours after her dinner, I made shepherd's pie for me and Hubby. When I sat down, she scooted right over to me and stared at my plate. I gave her a bite and she loved it. As soon as she would swallow, her face was hovering over my plate again. So much for her not liking meat. She ate probably half of my portion. I'm glad to know she liked it because there are leftovers.
Our little one is also teaching us her language. When she wants to get an idea across, she will use a single word over and over. I am thankful that her pronunciation is so good because I can figure out how to spell it for google translate. Tonight, the word was sleep. I was amazed that she was able to tell me that she was ready for bed. I took her into bed and she snuggled right in. She was asleep in less than 5 minutes.
Prayers would be appreciated over the next couple days that the report makes it to the Minister and he signs quickly. The quicker he signs, the quicker we can get home to our boys! Missing them is AWFUL! They are so excited about having a sister....I'm not sure that they know what they are in for. She is a spunky little thing!
So, today was much like yesterday and the day before. It is cold, rainy/snowy, and walking in both directions is uphill. Our little bean is still kind of wobbly on her feet and does not like we make her walk instead of carrying her. Hubby has started slowly sliding her off the couch so that she has to pull herself up. The first time he did this, she held her arms up for him to put her back. When he wouldn't do it, she screamed and pointed her little finger at him. I can only imagine what she was saying! I see physical therapy in our future because she has so little strength. Her foster family held her a lot so her leg muscles especially have not been built like they should be. She also has some pretty tight muscles. I was trying to stretch her foot yesterday and realized that she cannot point her toes....the muscles are just too tight. Any advice from therapy Mamas is appreciated!
I did go for a small walk myself today. I forgot how steep the hill is! When I said that to Z, he told me that I should start walking the hill everyday. That way, when I go home, I will have a Kim Kardashian backside. I told him I would rather not be compared to her and he just shrugged. He is a loony toon but he makes us laugh.
Our girlie is starting to relax a bit with us. The biggest reason I know this is that she is starting to eat.....and she tries everything! I gave her some cheerios mixed with a kind of thin yogurt drink. She ate and ate! I walked into the living room this afternoon with a slim jim (don't judge me!) and she grunted at me. I let her try it but she decided it wasn't good and stuck her tongue out. :) But she tried it. For dinner, I gave her some pasta and mixed veggies. I had also bought a jar of apple/carrot baby food. She gagged when I gave her a bite so I guess that was a bust. A couple hours after her dinner, I made shepherd's pie for me and Hubby. When I sat down, she scooted right over to me and stared at my plate. I gave her a bite and she loved it. As soon as she would swallow, her face was hovering over my plate again. So much for her not liking meat. She ate probably half of my portion. I'm glad to know she liked it because there are leftovers.
Our little one is also teaching us her language. When she wants to get an idea across, she will use a single word over and over. I am thankful that her pronunciation is so good because I can figure out how to spell it for google translate. Tonight, the word was sleep. I was amazed that she was able to tell me that she was ready for bed. I took her into bed and she snuggled right in. She was asleep in less than 5 minutes.
Prayers would be appreciated over the next couple days that the report makes it to the Minister and he signs quickly. The quicker he signs, the quicker we can get home to our boys! Missing them is AWFUL! They are so excited about having a sister....I'm not sure that they know what they are in for. She is a spunky little thing!
p.s. I really need to learn how to do hair!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
We are not extraordinary
When we adopted our first son, I heard people tell us that we were amazing people. In reality, we really aren't. Hubby and I never were blessed with biological children. I have wanted to be a Mommy since I was a little girl. I dreamed of the day that I would have my own baby to hold, love and take care of.
Many of you do not know, however, that God put a seed in my heart when I was about 7 years old. How many of you had imaginary friends when you were young? I am pretty sure that a high percentage did. Well, my imaginary friend was a homeless girl named Jessie. As I did chores, she was right beside me. We had many conversations about the possibility of my parents adopting her. *I don't think I ever told my Mama this story* I wanted nothing more than for Jessie to be my sister and to know she was taken care of. You see....my imaginary friend made adoption a real idea to me. I could not have loved her more if she was my "real" biological sister. (Of course, she couldn't have been real because she was imaginary) I put the word real in quotes because so often people ask if our boys are our "real kids." They are as real as any other kids and they are no less our children simply because I did not give birth to them.
The only way we are different from any other family is how our family came about. God gave us our children....by way of another country and 3 different birth moms. Our life together is the same as any other family. We get up in the morning, have breakfast, shower, and the boys get ready for school. We are not superheroes. We are not any more patient....just ask the boys. :) I beg God everyday to make me a better, more patient Mama. I love my children to the moon and back....just like you love your kids.
International adoption is not easy. International adoption of children with special needs is not easy. International adoption of older children with special needs is not easy. (In adoption, children over 3 are considered older) But, let me tell you that it is so worth it! Watching children flourish is an amazing thing! This is especially true when you are told (upon meeting the child) that they will never speak, go to school, be potty trained, etc.
I love being an adoptive Mama. If God blessed me with a biological baby, I would be happy, but no more happy than I was when he blessed me with each of my children.
We are not extraordinary. We are not normal either, but that has nothing to do with adoption. :)
Many of you do not know, however, that God put a seed in my heart when I was about 7 years old. How many of you had imaginary friends when you were young? I am pretty sure that a high percentage did. Well, my imaginary friend was a homeless girl named Jessie. As I did chores, she was right beside me. We had many conversations about the possibility of my parents adopting her. *I don't think I ever told my Mama this story* I wanted nothing more than for Jessie to be my sister and to know she was taken care of. You see....my imaginary friend made adoption a real idea to me. I could not have loved her more if she was my "real" biological sister. (Of course, she couldn't have been real because she was imaginary) I put the word real in quotes because so often people ask if our boys are our "real kids." They are as real as any other kids and they are no less our children simply because I did not give birth to them.
The only way we are different from any other family is how our family came about. God gave us our children....by way of another country and 3 different birth moms. Our life together is the same as any other family. We get up in the morning, have breakfast, shower, and the boys get ready for school. We are not superheroes. We are not any more patient....just ask the boys. :) I beg God everyday to make me a better, more patient Mama. I love my children to the moon and back....just like you love your kids.
International adoption is not easy. International adoption of children with special needs is not easy. International adoption of older children with special needs is not easy. (In adoption, children over 3 are considered older) But, let me tell you that it is so worth it! Watching children flourish is an amazing thing! This is especially true when you are told (upon meeting the child) that they will never speak, go to school, be potty trained, etc.
I love being an adoptive Mama. If God blessed me with a biological baby, I would be happy, but no more happy than I was when he blessed me with each of my children.
We are not extraordinary. We are not normal either, but that has nothing to do with adoption. :)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
First full day
J slept pretty well once we got her to sleep last night. She whimpered a couple times during the night, but I almost wonder if that is normal for her because she didn't seem to wake up. I guess I was pretty tired too because I slept until 10:30. I think the only reason I woke up was because Hubby came in and grabbed my toe to wake me. He wanted me to see how she was positioned.
We originally put her on our bed. We thought that we could just have her sleep between us, but she turned out to be a sprawler. In a closet downstairs, we found some old couch cushions. They are normal cushion width but are about 5 feet long. We brought one up and moved her to that. During the night, she migrated so that her head was using the cushion as a pillow and most of her body was on the floor. Hubby thinks she might have been warm (she sweats a lot during sleep) and the floor was cool. Either way, it was pretty funny to see.
She slept for another half hour or so. We are thankful that she is a rather heavy sleeper. Our moving around in the room didn't wake her. We are also thankful that she did not get upset when she did wake up. She let me pick her up and was content to sit on the couch as I made breakfast. I was a little worried that she wouldn't eat because she doesn't eat much when she is nervous or stressed. I made two scrambled eggs and toast and sat down beside her to eat. I offered her a bite of egg and she took it! Bite after bite! She even took a little toast although I don't think she liked the strawberry jam I had put on it. I can safely say that she ate nearly an entire egg as well as close to half a piece of toast. She must have eaten until she was full because when I offered her a cookie afterward, she said no. She is learning to hold her own cup. Her foster mother always fed her as well as held her cup. I think she will learn quickly that it is better if she holds her cup because then she can drink whenever she wants.
Z came to get us around 1 to take us to the grocery store. She was hilarious. As soon as she saw Z, she said, "Tata!" and put her arms up for Hubby to take her. Apparently, when Z is around, Daddy is the preferred mode of transportation. She also wanted Daddy to take her out of the car so I got to carry the groceries into the apartment. Z said that I got the easier part of the deal because groceries don't squirm. :)
Around 2pm, she started rocking on the couch. Just a few minutes and her eyes started to close. I should have just left her alone, but I tried to have her lay down. That was a mistake. She got angry and started crying. The potential nap was destroyed. :(
She wanted to watch cartoons on the TV in the bedroom. I'm sure she is super anxious so giving her some space seemed like a good idea. She had not wanted any part of lunch, so later in the afternoon, I went in and handed her a cookie as well as a small bag of ketchup flavored potato sticks (my favorite snack in Serbia!) She just sat with the cookie in her hand and looked at me, so I left the room. The next thing I knew, she was munching on the cookie with her other hand in the bag of chips. I had an inspiration. I made a plate with some cut up oranges, bread, pickles and some egg and took it into the room. She yelled, "NE!" and pointed her finger indicating she wanted me to leave. lol! I did, and she ended up eating quite a bit...unless, I looked at her. If she saw me looking, she would put the food down. Quite the stubborn child we have on our hands.
She was so excited to Skype with her brothers today! She chatted on and on to them. Both of them just sat and giggled. I don't think they knew what to think of her talking and their not understanding. I am excited to see the three of them together. She is going to have them wrapped around her finger just like she has with Daddy.
When it was time for bed, I changed her into her jammies. Like I have said before, she does not like changing clothes....I think it is the whole not liking transitions thing. Anyway, she was happy to change tonight. I think she really likes her new pj's. I let her watch cartoons for a few more minutes. When I asked her if she was ready to go to sleep, she patted the bed. I went to lay down and she got angry and scooted her body to the other side and patted the spot beside her. I settled in beside her and she put her hand on my neck and moved my head until our foreheads were touching. Then, she put her hand on my face and closed her eyes. I rubbed her back for maybe 5 minutes and she was sound asleep. There were no tears, no anxiety, nothing.....I was amazed that she showed me exactly how she wanted me to put her to bed. The foster family had told me that Baba lays with her as she goes to sleep. I believe she had me do it exactly like Baba. I can't tell you how amazing that was! She was able to communicate with me and I was able to understand. I believe we took an enormous step forward today in the trust department.
As you can see, your prayers are doing wonders! God has truly blessed us!!
We originally put her on our bed. We thought that we could just have her sleep between us, but she turned out to be a sprawler. In a closet downstairs, we found some old couch cushions. They are normal cushion width but are about 5 feet long. We brought one up and moved her to that. During the night, she migrated so that her head was using the cushion as a pillow and most of her body was on the floor. Hubby thinks she might have been warm (she sweats a lot during sleep) and the floor was cool. Either way, it was pretty funny to see.
She slept for another half hour or so. We are thankful that she is a rather heavy sleeper. Our moving around in the room didn't wake her. We are also thankful that she did not get upset when she did wake up. She let me pick her up and was content to sit on the couch as I made breakfast. I was a little worried that she wouldn't eat because she doesn't eat much when she is nervous or stressed. I made two scrambled eggs and toast and sat down beside her to eat. I offered her a bite of egg and she took it! Bite after bite! She even took a little toast although I don't think she liked the strawberry jam I had put on it. I can safely say that she ate nearly an entire egg as well as close to half a piece of toast. She must have eaten until she was full because when I offered her a cookie afterward, she said no. She is learning to hold her own cup. Her foster mother always fed her as well as held her cup. I think she will learn quickly that it is better if she holds her cup because then she can drink whenever she wants.
Z came to get us around 1 to take us to the grocery store. She was hilarious. As soon as she saw Z, she said, "Tata!" and put her arms up for Hubby to take her. Apparently, when Z is around, Daddy is the preferred mode of transportation. She also wanted Daddy to take her out of the car so I got to carry the groceries into the apartment. Z said that I got the easier part of the deal because groceries don't squirm. :)
Around 2pm, she started rocking on the couch. Just a few minutes and her eyes started to close. I should have just left her alone, but I tried to have her lay down. That was a mistake. She got angry and started crying. The potential nap was destroyed. :(
She wanted to watch cartoons on the TV in the bedroom. I'm sure she is super anxious so giving her some space seemed like a good idea. She had not wanted any part of lunch, so later in the afternoon, I went in and handed her a cookie as well as a small bag of ketchup flavored potato sticks (my favorite snack in Serbia!) She just sat with the cookie in her hand and looked at me, so I left the room. The next thing I knew, she was munching on the cookie with her other hand in the bag of chips. I had an inspiration. I made a plate with some cut up oranges, bread, pickles and some egg and took it into the room. She yelled, "NE!" and pointed her finger indicating she wanted me to leave. lol! I did, and she ended up eating quite a bit...unless, I looked at her. If she saw me looking, she would put the food down. Quite the stubborn child we have on our hands.
She was so excited to Skype with her brothers today! She chatted on and on to them. Both of them just sat and giggled. I don't think they knew what to think of her talking and their not understanding. I am excited to see the three of them together. She is going to have them wrapped around her finger just like she has with Daddy.
When it was time for bed, I changed her into her jammies. Like I have said before, she does not like changing clothes....I think it is the whole not liking transitions thing. Anyway, she was happy to change tonight. I think she really likes her new pj's. I let her watch cartoons for a few more minutes. When I asked her if she was ready to go to sleep, she patted the bed. I went to lay down and she got angry and scooted her body to the other side and patted the spot beside her. I settled in beside her and she put her hand on my neck and moved my head until our foreheads were touching. Then, she put her hand on my face and closed her eyes. I rubbed her back for maybe 5 minutes and she was sound asleep. There were no tears, no anxiety, nothing.....I was amazed that she showed me exactly how she wanted me to put her to bed. The foster family had told me that Baba lays with her as she goes to sleep. I believe she had me do it exactly like Baba. I can't tell you how amazing that was! She was able to communicate with me and I was able to understand. I believe we took an enormous step forward today in the trust department.
As you can see, your prayers are doing wonders! God has truly blessed us!!
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