Days 13 and 14: Reality
After little to no sleep for the past three days, we thought that we'd share a few observations on the boys. Sergey still eats anything and everything that is edible and nonedible and we can count on it to come out the other end. He pitches a fit when things don't go his way but he's perfectly happy with an empty water bottle as a toy. The caregivers told us that he has a temper...no kidding! This boy has some lungs. But he does get out of it pretty quickly except at night when he just won't go down to bed. He loves his big brother and wants to mimic his stunts.
Lonya is generally a very good boy (again, so the caretakers said, but did they talk of the same child?); however, he does have a very stubborn streak, especially around decided food choices. Sue and Lonya had a long sit at the table this morning to eat oatmeal. For two days he's nodded off pretty well but last night was different. He worked himself into a crying trance (out of body experience) for at least 30 minutes when he didn't want to go to bed. He only settled when he was taken to the kitchen for a sip of water. Lonya has begun to count to 5 in English, alternates between the Russian and English yes/no, he's learning body parts (thanks to bathtime), and he rambles on and on in Russian.
This apartment keeps us feeling quite isolated. The phone is shared with the landlord's family (two teens) so access can be tricky. There is no TV to keep up on the news. The only thing that saves us is the Internet connection via Nursat.
Lonya is generally a very good boy (again, so the caretakers said, but did they talk of the same child?); however, he does have a very stubborn streak, especially around decided food choices. Sue and Lonya had a long sit at the table this morning to eat oatmeal. For two days he's nodded off pretty well but last night was different. He worked himself into a crying trance (out of body experience) for at least 30 minutes when he didn't want to go to bed. He only settled when he was taken to the kitchen for a sip of water. Lonya has begun to count to 5 in English, alternates between the Russian and English yes/no, he's learning body parts (thanks to bathtime), and he rambles on and on in Russian.
This apartment keeps us feeling quite isolated. The phone is shared with the landlord's family (two teens) so access can be tricky. There is no TV to keep up on the news. The only thing that saves us is the Internet connection via Nursat.
2 Comments:
I'm sure you've tried everything -- but just in case, I'll tell you what I had to do with Roxanne. As you know ADD and ADHD are prevalent in my family. People who have this disorder don't go to sleep easily at night. Trying to be a good mother, I still tried to have her get a good night's sleep. I'd put her to bet around 7:30 or 8:00 every night (when she was around 5 years old and older) but she wouldn't go to sleep. I finally gave up and put her to bed at the same time but let her take a book or toy with her. This way she wasn't expending as much energy as she was running around the house, and when she finally settled down to sleep I didn't have to risk waking her up as I carried her to bed. Now of course, this only works if they stay in bed :-)
It takes a while for any routine to settle in. Unfortunately, you will probably just begin to get a routine going and it will be time to make your trip home while all the legal gobbledygoop gets taken care of. I respect the need for them to make sure you and the children "fit" together, and that you have what it takes to be a parent, but I don't understand making the children go through this twice. I'm sure they have their reasons though, so hang in there, things will get better once the boys are home with you in Ellensburg and you can settle them into their "real" routine.
Thinking of you and the boys everyday caused me to dream about them last night. For some reason I was baby sitting for you. I had taken them with me somewhere and had to park in a parking garage that had over 100 levels. When it was time for me to go back to the car, I couldn't remember which level I was on. Lonya was carrying Sergy (yeah right) and running ahead of me down the flights of stairs. I was trying like heck to catch up with them but they wouldn't stop. Finally I was reunited with them and tried to get some help finding my car. The garage assistant looked at his watch and said, "We're still open for quite awhile yet. You have plenty of time to find it on your own using your car pager we gave you." So I had to go from level to level trying to make this pager go off when we got near the car -- with two little boys in hand. Of course I woke up before I found the car. It wasn't a peaceful dream :-) Wouldn't a dream interpeter have fun with that one :-)
I was a Glenwood Square last night and they have it all decorated up for Christmas. It made me think about our band playing there at Christmas time. Speaking of "reality", I'll bet that is the farthest thing from your mind right now :-( I am so VERY happy for you and the boys -- but REALITY is also hitting home here. Betty, Allison and I are thinking about trying to put together some Christmas music to fill in the time you will need for family adjustment.
Has the weather there remained the same? Snoqualamie had a second rock slide which has caused it to be one way traffic at the top (both directions) for quite some time now. They are predicting a 30 mile back for Thanksgiving travelers, so Bill and I will take White Pass to Renton this year (along with everyone else going that direction). I'm not looking forward to the longer drive but it will be good to ALSO get to spend time with two beautiful children (2 1/2 and infant). Thinking of you, Nancy
Hey-on the bedtime routine. We have one too. PJ's, brush teeth, and ready the bed. Now we read two books (Annie picks them out), say the same simple prayer, and then we say, "What did you do today?" and she recounts the entire day (with help) naming what she had for breakfast, who she played with at school, and what she had for dinner--making special note of the little things that were fun or made her laugh. I'm not a routine person, but in this area, I'm a believer. The other area we have rules is with food--and on the food front, picky picky picky. I do sommersaults to get her to try things. Even then, doesn't work. Mostly I give in, but they say it takes 13 times to introduce a new food that isn't immediately taken. So, I'll put bits and pieces and see what works. We throw out a lot! Then she'll do something like chow out on greek olives. Still doesn't like meat--thank goodness she'll eat eggs and fish. I wish you good luck and patience. Know that it ebbs and flows--especially for the little ones.
We're praying for you and proud of you!
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