We're Home

Thursday, February 14, 2013 ONE MONTH A FAMILY! We arrived back home and quickly jumped back into life. The jet lag was bad the first two weeks home. Claire returned to school the day after we got back. She really missed her friends, and did not want to miss any more class work, and Camille returned on Monday. Caitlin regressed some in her behavior, and it was like having a toddler in the house. She had to be watched and followed around every minute. Once she used the bathroom (and we need to keep reminding her to use toilet paper, flush, and wash her hands), and about two hours later I went into the bathroom, and the water was still on! She wants to be carried around, especially up the stairs, and makes an irritating little squeaky, whiny noise instead of speaking. She said she did not want to go to school. Camille has also regressed, or is just having a healthy dose of sibling rivalry. She is not enjoying having a little sister, is not enjoying sharing her room, and tells me I have ruined her life forever! Caitlin has overstepped the boundaries, dug through Camille's jewelery box, touched her Kindle and lost all the settings, and many other things that have really upset Camille. We have had to talk about personal property (Caitlin does have her own Kindle), and asking permission before touching/taking someone else's things. Claire's friend, Audrey, and her mom, Nancy, have really helped out with translating some things....especially about the dentist visit, and about not touching and getting into things without first asking. She did go to the dentist, and has three rotten teeth that will need to be removed by an oral surgeon. She really has a difficult time seeing. We go to the eye doctor next week, and hopefully can get her some glasses quickly. But mostly, she has been really easy. She is picking up English very quickly. The other day we went to the playground, and she said a complete sentence in English: "Mom, look at me". She was swinging. She has very little stamina. I don't think she has ever done a lot of walking or playing. We have been trying to get her outside everyday. She is riding a scooter, riding a small bicycle with training wheels, learning how to swing, and playing on the "slippery slide". The first week or so, she could barely make it around Kroger (our grocery store), but today I was noticing that she can ride her bike around the park much longer now. Caitlin has indicated that now she wants to go to school. She has gone with me to pick up Camille a few times. We have gone in and met the office staff, and the principal. I think Caitlin feels a bit more comfortable with communicating, and is probably bored hanging around the house when Claire and Camille are at school. I am holding off in sending her until we get her some glasses. She should be starting on March 4. I hope they will let me place her in 3rd grade. If her age is correct, she should be in 4th grade, but I don't feel she is mature enough, and she is so tiny, I think 3rd would be better. Caitlin is a very happy, easy going child. She is rarely in a bad mood, although can get a little pouty at times if she does not get her way. She did get very sad today. She was able to tell me via the translator (the BBK is our best friend) that she was sad, and missing her friends in China. She started crying, and had huge big tears running down her face. I told her I was so sorry she missed her friends, and I hoped she never forgets them. But I do hope that when she goes to school, she will make lots of new friends here. I am going to have her write a letter to her friends at the orphanage tomorrow, and we will mail it. I don't know if the orphanage staff will give it to the friends, but at least it may help Caitlin not to be so sad. It is strange that today is our one month anniversary for her joining our family, and I wonder if that somehow triggered her sadness. I just got off the phone with a Mom that we met while we were in China. They were one of several families that we met, and would then go feed the fish and play on the lawn at the hotel garden. Claire and her daughter, Sarah, really enjoyed each other, and I hope that they can continue their friendship long distance. Claire has talked to her 2-3 times since we got back. It was wonderful to talk with Jean and compare notes on how all the new girls are doing. We hope to visit Minnesota this summer, and will definitely be visiting with them! Anyway to sum up our first month, appropriately on February 14...........LOVE. Love love love my newest daughter...love love love my middle daughter....love love love my biggest girl! Love being a family of four! Adopting an older child is so worth it. Caitin is a wonderful fit for our family!

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