I can't believe that it was two weeks ago that we landed. It seems like SO long ago. But it also seems like we JUST got home. Where did November go? When we left, it was summer. It was still hot - we were wearing shorts. And when we got back, the airport had Christmas decorations up. Lights all around town. And it was COLD. Crazy! And now it's December...
We are doing well at home. We are finally settling in - somewhat. We are learning more and more about H each day. Her personality is coming out and her understanding of what we are saying & us understanding what she is wanting is increasing daily. Communication is really the hardest part of what we are dealing with. The words that she says in Chinese that we have translated (roughly!) are: "I want" "No" "Go potty" "What is that?" These are all important and those are great to know... But when she is wanting something - and can't express to us WHAT she wants, it's frustrating for all of us! She is finally starting to ask AND point - which is good.
She is definitely a three year old. I thought that we would be dealing with a "sort of" two year old - that was three years old. But she is totally and completely THREE. And those of you who "know" how three year olds "work" -- It's a very difficult place to be - without having communication. Three years old - the year of choices, control, and learning. And we are doing this with a huge road block. Although we are actually doing better than I think we could be.
It has been interesting, exciting, VERY hard and exhausting to go instantly to 2 kids. A one year old and a three year old. They are both running around, both "talking" (as best as they can) and are both dealing with having a sibling for the first time. It's hard when really neither of them can communicate that well with me. But I think that they understand me - when they are listening (when they want to listen). I don't know how it would be to start with two kids with one as a baby - but two that are very active is quite an undertaking. Jumping right into three to start with a child is, well, an adventure!
H is learning very well - and really wants to learn. She is a very picky eater - either asking for something, then not wanting it - or wanting what I'm eating, or what I'm feeding J (even if what I have given her is something she loves). She loves her bunny (and can say "bunny"). LOVES her shoes and wants to wear them all the time. She really likes to have her hair down, after having the pigtails and braids all the time in China. And she is a very very deep sleeper. It takes a lot to wake her up, which we have to do every morning. And she has a great little giggle!!
She is doing much better in the car seat. That trip home from the airport was just BAD. We were all tired - and it was a totally new experience for her to be in a car seat restraint. And we had it rear facing, which she did not like and really didn't work. And worse of all, the restraints were WAY too tight - and since it was dark and we were so tired, we couldn't figure out how to loosen it. After we turned it front facing and fixed the straps, she was fine with it for the most part - as much as any kid, I guess.
My little toddler - she is my happy, easy-going, adventurous, explorer!
And my little preschooler is my neat, cautious, silly knowledge-seeker!
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