We May Never Go Out Again
Oh ... so I'll start by saying that she's a cute girl but ... she's rather ill tempered these days. Yesterday when we took her out she was okay except when we stopped the stroller. While this made it challenging to shop, we somehow managed to keep the stroller in motion.
Today .. wow ... she was ill tempered from the time we pushed her into the hall until the time we came back. We kept her in motion ...crying ... we picked her up .. okay then crying .... we tickled her .. laugh then crying ... pointed out cookie pictures .. fascination then crying. I eventually had to wheel her outside the store so that we wouldn't get scolded by some grocery shopping babushka. I kept chanting "she's left the only home she knows and she's mourning that loss, she's left the only home she knows and she's mourning that loss". Even knowing that this is so hard for her, I'll tell you that it's also hard for us. Just a warning shot for others, the first 6-8 weeks with your new child will be a test. You will love them but they will not be all sunshine and smiles. I will also tell you that if Sasha is any indicator, the sunshine and smiles will come. He has got to be one of the happiest children I know despite a totally different start.
I had given her a dose of Tylenol to try and relieve some of her teething discomfort but alas ... As she wailed for a good long city block and now is continuing to wail because she doesn't think she needs a nap (but alas let me assure you that she does) we're thinking that we may not be able to go outside again until we leave for the Embassy and the doctor's office. Being couped up in this apartment for two weeks doesn't sound like much fun but I don't want to draw attention to ourselves when we're outside.
I remember that Sasha had his moments too but he really liked riding in the stroller so we never had these kind of publicly melting down issues. And any chances that Nathan thought we had of us going out to dinner or better yet, sightseeing with Mia .. ha .. I think not!
So ... I've tried Tylenol and Baby Orajel to no avail. Ah .. the challenges of integrating a new baby into your family. It's never easy. David just showed up with the decongestant. She seemed to be in a better mood after eating a ton of Gerber Fruit puffs and 'biqies' as David calls cookies. David also found a three stage sippy cup and she was finally able to successfully drink some apple juice. David has got to be the nicest guy and he's Australian so he's a lot of fun too (I know, I know probably just a stereotype but I really don't think I've ever met a really ill-tempered Australian. They always seem out for a good laugh).
Mia appears to be in a slightly better mood. Perhaps her eating schedule is a bit off too. We've been working on the signs for more and all done. Once she can get a few basic signs down, I'm sure we'll be better off. I know it must be so frustrating to not be able to get your needs across to two complete strangers.
So that's the rest of the story. It's not easy even with prior parenting and adoption experience. It will take time for us all to adjust to one another and for her to finish mourning her lost home. Hopefully in another few weeks she'll figure out that things might not be so bleak. She has a family that loved before they even met her, a wardrobe to die for, a Boxer that gives great smoochies, friends that think she's too cute, a big brother that will love and protect her forever and two parents that, despite being a little off their game now, will love her and support her throughout her entire life.
She is a cute girl :)
Today .. wow ... she was ill tempered from the time we pushed her into the hall until the time we came back. We kept her in motion ...crying ... we picked her up .. okay then crying .... we tickled her .. laugh then crying ... pointed out cookie pictures .. fascination then crying. I eventually had to wheel her outside the store so that we wouldn't get scolded by some grocery shopping babushka. I kept chanting "she's left the only home she knows and she's mourning that loss, she's left the only home she knows and she's mourning that loss". Even knowing that this is so hard for her, I'll tell you that it's also hard for us. Just a warning shot for others, the first 6-8 weeks with your new child will be a test. You will love them but they will not be all sunshine and smiles. I will also tell you that if Sasha is any indicator, the sunshine and smiles will come. He has got to be one of the happiest children I know despite a totally different start.
I had given her a dose of Tylenol to try and relieve some of her teething discomfort but alas ... As she wailed for a good long city block and now is continuing to wail because she doesn't think she needs a nap (but alas let me assure you that she does) we're thinking that we may not be able to go outside again until we leave for the Embassy and the doctor's office. Being couped up in this apartment for two weeks doesn't sound like much fun but I don't want to draw attention to ourselves when we're outside.
I remember that Sasha had his moments too but he really liked riding in the stroller so we never had these kind of publicly melting down issues. And any chances that Nathan thought we had of us going out to dinner or better yet, sightseeing with Mia .. ha .. I think not!
So ... I've tried Tylenol and Baby Orajel to no avail. Ah .. the challenges of integrating a new baby into your family. It's never easy. David just showed up with the decongestant. She seemed to be in a better mood after eating a ton of Gerber Fruit puffs and 'biqies' as David calls cookies. David also found a three stage sippy cup and she was finally able to successfully drink some apple juice. David has got to be the nicest guy and he's Australian so he's a lot of fun too (I know, I know probably just a stereotype but I really don't think I've ever met a really ill-tempered Australian. They always seem out for a good laugh).
Mia appears to be in a slightly better mood. Perhaps her eating schedule is a bit off too. We've been working on the signs for more and all done. Once she can get a few basic signs down, I'm sure we'll be better off. I know it must be so frustrating to not be able to get your needs across to two complete strangers.
So that's the rest of the story. It's not easy even with prior parenting and adoption experience. It will take time for us all to adjust to one another and for her to finish mourning her lost home. Hopefully in another few weeks she'll figure out that things might not be so bleak. She has a family that loved before they even met her, a wardrobe to die for, a Boxer that gives great smoochies, friends that think she's too cute, a big brother that will love and protect her forever and two parents that, despite being a little off their game now, will love her and support her throughout her entire life.
She is a cute girl :)
posted by Tamara at 6:14 AM
2 Comments:
Oh, I can't imagine. Poor, sweet, girl. And, her poor, sweet parents! I pray that those teeth come in quickly, so your plane ride can at least be peacful!
I figure we'll yet again be the most hated people in business class and the flight will be forever known as the flight that shall not be named.
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