52 Weeks of Family: Week 13

Mila:

Happy birthday, Sweet Girl! You loved having everyone love on you. You spent three days listing off all 'your' people and I was thrilled to hear you list off Isaac & I as well as Gramma, Annie and three of your cousins in addition to your Albanian family.  Your heart is growing. <3 

These are the things I've learned about your recently:

• You're not a fan of food you cannot see. Burritos and snap peas specifically. If I open the burrito up so you can see what's inside, no problem. Or if I pop out the peas from the pod, great. But you are pretty suspicious of hidden food (which I guess makes sense)
• You LOVE to sing in the shower.  It generally takes you 20-25 minutes to shower in the morning so you have plenty of time to belt out Let It Go several times *wink*
• Quiet time is a gift to you. I've been so focused on pushing family time for attachment's sake that I missed your need to check out and be alone. Puzzles or music in your room alone is good for your heart (and sometimes all of our attitudes) and you always come out refreshed.
• You jump at the chance to complete tasks--especially if you think your little brother can't or shouldn't do them. Putting away piles of laundry for mom? Sure!  Bringing groceries in from the car? Two gallons of milk at a time? Sure! Setting the table? Not a problem.  These are all typical kid-help tasks in a family, but I have purposely shield you from them. In some cultures, older child adoption is akin to purchasing a child servant/slave. I didn't want you to ever-ever think that you were wanted in our family for anything other than you.

You had a couple of pretty good days engaging your brother with kindness this week. What a blessing to my heart. I'll take all the moments and let them pile up. One of these days it won't be so much work for you two.  

Look Mom, she is hugging me back!

Isaac:

Sharing your sister's special day was hard for you, wasn't it? I thought I had prepared you for all that was going to happen NOT for you--the presents, cake, candles and singing that did not have your name attached to them, but it was still hard.  I know you love the stuffing out of your new big sister, and you are doing a phenomenal job of giving up your place as an only child. 

I had a great meeting with your team at school this week! You are doing so well in school and continue to show great growth in every area.  I love to hear the stories from your team of how you care for your friends, your natural leadership, your creative mind, your academic skills and even your sense of humor.  When I casually asked how you were doing with your super ears, everyone was pleased to announce you were keeping them in all day..."Except..." said your 1st Grade teacher, "when he is tired of participating in class, he leaves his seat, walks up to me and turns off the FM (microphone which goes directly to his hearing aids) hanging from my neck then returns to his chair to relax."  HAHAHA  Way to critically think through that problem, buddy!

You thought this Big Foot statue was SO funny!

Me:

Officially back to work. No major hiccups. The structure of the day was actually kind of nice. Although, there is a panicked prayer at the end of every day that nothing abnormal will keep me late in clinic, even by the slightest margin. When one kiddo has pretty significant separation anxiety and the other is still learning to trust, "mommy always comes back" has to be an absolute truth not just a promise.