Week one

We have been home officially 9 days, passing the one week mark and passing it by two. Things have been a little bit hectic to say the least. We have been growing through some major adjustment, learning what life looks like together, getting over jet lag, having a ton of new experiences and trying to get back into some kind of swing.

Hosanna is such a sponge. She is learning at an incredible rate as she absorbs her new life.

·      She can take off her shoes and put them away

·      She loves bath time

·      She knows what it means to have her diaper changed

·      She loves to throw the ball to the dog next door through the fence

·      She is learning what it means to have Baba go back to work and come home again.

·      The car seat puts her to sleep

·      We go for a walk/jog every morning

·      She loves the lawn mower

·      Wears sun glasses

·      Learning what the meaning of no is

·      In LOVE with the Wiggles

·      We have a dance party every afternoon

·      She will try any new food, but does not like it if it has skin or is green

·      She understands what it means to put trash in the trash can

·      She loves to look in the mirror

·      Learned that a water hose can be a ton of fun

·      Loves to swing as long as she is in a lap

·      She says Hi and blows kisses

·      She is learning to look to us to see if someone is ok

·      She had her first Dr visit

·      Got asked to be in a wedding at the end of this year

·      We got our first hugs

We have also been battling jet lag. Up until last night she was sleeping in our room in a pack and play, and generally getting up between 3:30 -4:30 every morning. In talking with other adoptive moms they reassured me it was a season, which I was so grateful for. As the week went on, she asked to sleep in her room for nap time and then last night went into her room to sleep, and actually slept till 6am. So we are hoping for the upswing on things.

We are really glad that we have been limiting visitors at a slow rate. It actually has been one of the better things that we could have done. It is giving her a gradual introduction to people. We also that we have been gradual about taking her places, she gets overwhelmed pretty easy figuring out things like the grocery store. You can also tell that things trigger her. We had pictures up in the house of her when we got her referral, but watching her look at them and her reaction was rough. And because she cannot tell us what she is feeling, we can only act upon her reactions. Of course as she grows up we will not put these things up, but instead bring them out and up, but for now they are away. She does however, like looking at pictures of the three of us together.

So, overall when you look at the big picture of her life, she is do well considering everything that has happened. This Mama however is probably having a harder time. The adjustment to being home has been incredible hard. We worked so hard so that we could set things up for me to be at home. (And, while I am still working part time for a couple more months, it will mainly be from home). People tell me how lucky I am, and cool it is. But the reality is it is a really hard adjustment for me right now. I can honestly say I do not like it.  I know that with time it more than likely will come. With time we will get into a grove, we will be able to do activities together like go to the library, have play dates and such. But she is just not ready right now.

Not to mention this mamma is very social, loves to be with people and I honestly struggle with lack of interaction with adults during the day. There are not all that many mom’s that I know who are at home to interact with and so in some ways I feel shut in.  But I also know that I am being obedient in what I am suppose to be doing. And, sometimes obedience comes with a price. This price indeed will have great reward in the end. 

We appreciate all your prayers, support and encouragement. I thought marriage was an incredible journey of change and transition, but this is neck and neck with that.

Leaving you with some pictures from our final day in China along with this week.

Jennifer