52 Weeks of Family: Week 4

Mila:

No medical appointments this week...but don't get too comfortable, more are coming. I promise. 

The extra time in the schedule made room for your 'first' haircut. You weren't too sure what to think of having someone else wash your hair and you definitely did not like the blow dryer (methinks there were some actual Albanian swearing taking place) but we were happy with the results. It was the same sweet lady who gave Isaac his first hair cut and she was thoughtful enough to give us a momento---I LOVE that it has your age!

We had a couple of moments this week where you clearly were telling me this crazy vacation to America needs to be over. We Skyped with one of our Albanian friends who helped translate--you listed your favorite person (not me), and your six favorite people after that (also not me); then you graciously put me at Number 8...on a list of 8. My heart breaks for the confusion you must be feeling and I so wish I had a better way to help you process it, but rest assured I am not offended. This whole crazy roller coaster is about helping build trust & safety. Thankfully, you are always comforted by listening to Albanian worship...and the next day you moved me up to your FOURTH favorite person (the three in front of me are pretty solid choices, I have to give you that *wink*)

When you needed some extra motivation to get ready in the morning, Mommy let you listen to worship music while you showered. 

We found some fun by adding an Anna to your Elsa (you are CRAZY into "Frozen" right now, which awesome!). And we had a play date with some our Bamboo friends. You have renamed their two Bamboo daughters after your BFFs in Shkodra. I have to laugh at what I can only imagine your inner dialog must be: "Listen folks, there is too much to remember and all you Americans look alike, so here is the deal...you two; the short ones with Down syndrome: my friends in Albanian were Lola & Erika, so you too shall also be Lola & Erika. There is no point in reinventing the naming wheel. Moving on.". 

Your first craft project!  "Olaf" 

I have to say, the ABSOLUTE BEST part of the week is when you saw the Christmas display at the store. Your eyeballs about popped out of your pretty little head. MOMMY! LOOK!  Christmas is a time for love! (the only lyrics you know from Isaac's Psalty's Christmas Calamity CD that you both have been listening to nonstop) You inspected each display. Every ornament and light. You even requested a photo in front of one of the empty trees. It nearly had me in tears...just wait until next week, sweet heart..."Christmas is a time for love" will be IN OUR HOUSE!!!  

Isaac:

You had your own medical appointments this week...a full ENT tune up in the operating room, and you did GREAT.  By some miracle your hearing is actually getting better. There is no explaining that but we'll take the victory all the same. 

You too have figured out that this Sister situation is permanent. You seriously love her and want to be with her at all times, but sometimes sisters don't want little brothers in their room or chasing them while you are naked having escaped from the bathtub without me looking (that was a good squeal she had, but we still can't do that, even if Momma is laughing too).  Extra structure and extra snuggles have been needed, but I know you will bounce back. This is a BIG change for you too. I know your heart is growing along with your long-legged body to make room for this crazy flam-ly of ours. 

Me:

You have WILDLY underestimated the increase of milk consumption with the addition of an extra human in the house. Seriously...we are at the store "just picking up milk", like every other day. Get it together...just buy two gallons while you are there to begin with!

Of all the goofy things, both your children love watching "The Great British Baking Show" with you. You three snuggle up on the couch and watch one episode at a time. In fact, as SOON as the Netflix logo shows up on the screen Mila screeches "Ohhhhh. CAKE!"  (You kinda don't have the heart to tell her N-E-T-F-L-I-X doesn't spell cake.) The next hour is filled with one child practicing his baking skills with his own kitchen tools on the couch and the other learning her English by calling out 'chocolate', 'strawberry'. 'lemon', 'eggs'. 'ohhh, beautiful!"  It's unconventional, but it's working!