52 Weeks of Family: Week 5

Mila:

We've crossed off a couple more medial boxes this week. First, was the pediatric ophthalmologist.  You've got a couple of issues (nystagmus, strabismus & congenital cataracts) in addition to needing to correct your vision, but none need to be surgically corrected immediately. I am glad for this as it will give us a year or so to work on your English so I can better explain things to you. 

We also got your blood work back (all normal!) and the results of your x-rays. A notable congenital hip issue was overlooked when you were a baby and you've somehow made it 13 years without any major issues. We'll see a pediatric orthopedist and get a plan in place. I suspect a major surgery will be needed but not emergently.   

Your expressive English is coming along!  I know your receptive language is much further along, but it is often difficult to get your brain and your tongue to connect. My personal favorite Mila-ism right now is yelling "Isaaci, PLEEEESE come HERE!" when you actually want to say "please stop".  You have literally backed yourself into the wall yelling COME HERE with Isaac continuing to come toward you with a very confused look on his face--he clearly wants to stop, but you keep beckoning him! It's so hard for me not to laugh as I rescue you both. 

Your FROZEN obsession is in full force. Every day you ask for AnnaElsa! (Frozen). And when I need to say no, you ask for reassurance that tomorrow is still a possibility to visit your beloved princesses.  In my ultimate wisdom I attempted to share with you that Anna & Elsa are actually sisters. Isn't that fun?  You nodded your head, walked away, stopped..then walked back with a shocked look on your face.  "Motër?!" (Sister?!)  Yes!  I said, thrilled to pieces that I communicated a familial concept with you: Motër.  Your face got the giddiest look and then I realized...you only know the word Moter/Sister in relation to the Sisters of Charity...of the global Catholic Church!  I'm now pretty sure you think Sister Anna & Sister Elsa, as you've taken to calling them, are on sabbatical from their Call *facepalm*. I bet you that is a plot twist the Walt Disney Company never considered! 

You also had your first Thanksgiving!  Such a busy week for you!  Explaining the cultural context was nearly impossible, so we talked about the spiritual one...we give thanks to our generous God for ALL that He has done and continues to do for us, including creating families. This you seemed to understand and took joy in helping put together Thanksgiving baskets at church:

Isaac:

You turned EIGHT this week and are doing such a good job stepping into a leadership role with your sister. I often ask you to "show Mila how a family does this" and you jump at the opportunity to model a behavior. Recently you've capitalized on your previous FROZEN obsession to help feed Mila in hers. I "caught" you bringing your Sven & Kristoff into your sister's room to show her how to play with her Anna & Elsa. Sweet boy.  You've also learned that when sister is sad you can bring her her kindle already prepped to the Frozen story book and that makes her very happy. 

I never would have expected this, but YOU have picked up some Albanian phrases from Mila! So much so I've had to update your teachers in case you decide to spice up your ASL & Isaac-English with you know, one of the more popular of world languages...Albanian.   When I hear "john-john!" (gentle) from the other room I know your sister is being a bit too rough, but there is always a hug & kiss at the end.

Me:

You've been much more tired this week and it took a few minutes to figure out why---between running to medial appointments, Isaac's birthday, the extra pie baking, Thanksgiving and ushering in Christmas you've had little time to rest. You've also needed to dial back some of the Disneyland-parenting that is often needed when winning the heart of a new child. It's not a bad thing; the transition needs to be made sooner or later (too late has it's own issues), but that little dose of reality as the adrenaline of transition is wearing off can amplify the physical fatigue. You've picked some Netflix shows to watch soon and are working on a list of Christmas projects YOU want to do after the kids go to bed--good job. Loving a new child into a family isn't a sprint, it's a lifelong marathon.

Also...your daughter asked twice this week if you were giving her Raki, a traditional Albanian home brew. You should probably follow up with the Sisters on that.