Settling In

The first few days home have been busy, busy, busy. It looks like John has to go back to work next week (WAAAAAAHHHH), so a nice routine will be here only after John leaves. Which stinks. The kids are soooo easily over-stimulated. I layed in bed thinking that maybe we should take the toys out of their rooms for a little while. Put them in the kitchen or somewhere. They need to have some more structure. It is just too much for right now. (And we had been warned up and down before we adopted that we should watch out for this). Going from having NO possessions to a TON of possessions is an overload for these little people.

The kids beg for food non-stop all day long. We have told them what time they can expect snacks or meals, thinking this would cut it down, but now they constantly ask what time it is instead of asking for food. Liana peeked out our kitchen window today and saw the neighbor's garden. She screamed with excitement and took off toward the door. There were nice red tomatoes in the garden, that I'm sure look pretty yummy. Aleksa, on the other hand, has not eaten much since we got home other than fruit, eggs, yogurt and hot dogs. I'm sure all the changes have been a stress to her, and that she'll start eating soon, but boy, I'm sure not cooking twice for every meal!

Cute Aleksa story quick. The first morning home she came out playing with her new baby doll. Now, mind you I only know a smidgeon of Russian, but this I understood from her. She said, "My dolly has no shoes. You should buy some shoes for her. Just little ones this big. Then Papa will say this is a beautiful dolly!" Then she went on about something else or other, but I thought that was cute. Which reminds me of another Aleksa story from our trip to the outdoor museum in Kiev. Out of the blue she said, "I'm cold." A little bit later she said. "I think I'll buy a sweater." Then a little later we walked past the gift shop and she said, "Oh look! A store!" It was cute. Vica laughed and laughed at her. (Ok, You probably had to be there...)

I have to list some more cool, "I know I'm a mama now" things...

- I've had to run the dishwasher every night!
- I told Adam that I loved him (in Russian) and he said (in ENGLISH) "I love you, Mama." (Yes, I did cry!)
- I have had marker stains on the carpet already. (Got it out thankfully)
- The kids don't want to put away their toys and blubber about their siblings making the mess that I ask THEM to pick up.
- I've had hundreds of kisses every day. No reason at all.
- The girls play beauty shop with me and at one time I've had about forty hair accessories on my head all at once. It was fun!
- I fell asleep on the couch at 8:00ish last night from pure exhaustion. John got to do bedtime duty all by himself.

We have had lots of "firsts" together lately. First visits with grandparents, first time watching John put his contacts in, first time watching him shave, first time eating pizza, first book read ("The Cat in the Hat" - Adam loved it!), first video watched as a family ("Mary Poppins"), first time playing in the yard with Mama and Papa, etc.

John had to pop in to work yesterday for a few hours and there were a few meltdowns while he was away. They don't like when he's gone. At all. You should have seen how excited they were when he came home! The girls pounded on the window screaming their hello, and Adam ran out and met him on the sidewalk. It was fun to see, but I know when he goes to work next Monday, it is going to be another rough adjustment time for us all.

Some have asked about the childrens' real parents. Well, John was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, grew up in Westbrook, went to college and then married me. I was born in La Crosse, WI, grew up there, went to college and then married John. Then we adopted Adam, Liana and Aleksa.

In other words, WE are their "real" parents. (Just think about that for a while...)

If anyone is actually asking about the children's biological parents, then that's a different question. We don't know a whole lot, but the little we do know we aren't comfortable sharing for now. Best to let them choose who knows or doesn't know their entire life history. Know what I mean?

That's all I can think of right now. I'm having a blast, but I'm definitely BUSY!

Love you all!

Shelly