I’m super sick. Sinus
infection, bronchitis and a tummy bug.
It isn’t pretty, plus it’s HOT. Mom is slowly getting over her
bronchitis and we are thankful that Isaac & Annie (and my girly) are
staying healthy. We push out of the house this morning to find the Elbasan Castle—left
over from the Ottomon Empire. I would love to say
that we were awe-struck, but underwhelming is probably a better
descriptor from the area we saw. The depth of history is
indeed amazing though. We are hopeful to find the 'cool part' sometime soon. We stumbled upon a
mini kids amusement park which Isaac thoroughly enjoyed and were able to
navigate ourselves around town back to our neighborhood. We are starting to get
a feel for the ebb and flow of the city and it’s people. (Although Annie strongly discouraged buying
any bras being sold from a tree). It is empowering to be able to get from point
A to point B independently in the midst of some very generous peoples.
A family visit to the orphanage in the evening.
This has been the pattern we have fallen into thus far. One on one visits with
Mommy in the morning and family visit time in the afternoon. Jealousy has been
a bit of an issue for both children, but more difficult for the newest member
of the family. Finding out you get to
have a Mommy to all your own AND you have to share her with a little brother is
not as romantic as it may seem. But slowly, we are forming a family bond.
“Mommy, Isaac, Sister” is a mantra a repeat over and over and over throughout
the day. We are a family of three; we do things together, including play, love,
and forgive. Play-dough was the theme
of the night. I’m not sure she had ever seen play-dough before so it was fun to
let her fingers explore and her mind create.
During our visits, I’ve introduced a visual communication board to help
foster English AND sign learning (my girly gets to learn two languages at
once!). Tonight she initiate her first English /ASL word = ball!! We all clapped and hooted and hollered our
congratulations! She is a wickedly smart
girl. I can’t wait to see what is locked up in the noggin of hers one she is
given the gift of education.
Day 8:
A major breakthrough. She initiated touch! This is major in the adoption front. Through
the last week she has responded to my touch but she has not initiated any of
her own. During our family visit time this evening, playing with sidewalk chalk
and a ball, she climbed up onto my lap and grabbed my face pushing our cheeks
together. MAJOR MILESTONE. She also
allowed Isaac to join us in a family pile picture—also a big breakthrough! She
is learning I can love them BOTH equally. There is safety in a heart of a
mommy.
My girly clearly understands the concept of mother and brother but Grandmother has been a difficult concept to convey. How do you describe your mother's mother who consults like a mother but really isn't a mother but acts like a mother, only grander? It's a tough concept when you've never had a family. She joyfully calls out "Gramma!" during our family visits, but then extends for a friendly handshake (which is actually quite comical). Gramma is teaching her how to be loved by an extended family--it's slow but sure.
I’m feeling a touch better but waiting for some precautious antibiotics to kick in a long with a steroid inhaler (something I've never needed before). My mom is finally starting to feel better and we are so very thankful that everyone else is staying healthy---must be the 10-14L of water we are going through nearly every day!
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