Honestly, I'm not a bragging kinda mom - in fact, I am probably harder on my 2-year old than anyone else. I discipline her for not listening, throwing her toys or ripping something that shouldn't have been ripped (we've already fixed the pages of several books due to an "oops" rip that escalated into something larger when she realized that ripping paper was fun!), and for not sharing with others. While RP can't yet count, she recognizes the old "1....2....don't make me get to 3...." routine which is probably why her favorite number is 2 - I rarely get past two before she comes running to do whatever it is she is supposed to do. That being said, she has spent countless time in "The Naughty Corner" because she simply enjoyed "Time Out" a little too much to be effective, and she understands what punishment is and hopefully what is expected of her moving forward. (Yep, we DO get past two in the counting game... and with a certain level of frequency!)
Over the last several weeks I have received no less than THREE notes home from "school" because RP was not behaving appropriately in class. The first time she SAT on another child because she wanted the toy he was playing with, the second and third time she was spitting at other kids and trying to hit them because she wasn't getting her way. Then, there have been reports that she has become so angry/frustrated that she attempts to bite herself in an effort to alleviate this frustration. {This is a hold-over from orphanage behavior - she did this on our first and second visits to the orphanage and several times when we first came home. Now it happens much less frequently, but alas, is still happening when she is overly tired, overly-stimulated, and/or overly-frustrated.}
Now, you may be asking yourself, "Um... so THIS is what you are bragging about?" Nope. Not quite. Yesterday I went to pick RP up from school and saw the dreaded "See Comments Below" note at the top of her daily progress report which typically signifies that there has been a behavior problem that day. Lo and behold the notes at the bottom of the page were something along the lines of, "RP had a FANTASTIC day today! She kept her hands to herself, played nicely with everyone in class, and was a BIG helper to her teacher!" I was beaming - I really was. THEN.... I went to pick her up from the pre-school room where the teacher in the room reiterated how well-behaved she was in school that day and that she is always one of the only kids who picks up after herself and often helps the teachers pick up toys and art projects the other kids have left out and abandoned.
My heart was very happy, and still is. I know it's only one day, but I feel that we are truly making progress and hopefully this trend will continue. To anyone else I'm sure this sounds like just what should be expected of any child, and I wholeheartedly agree - and I'm just happy that the efforts both she and I have been putting in to this are beginning to show! Now, if she can only keep it up! :)
Lilypie Trying to Conceive Event tickers
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
One week from today...
Exactly one week from today is the six-month anniversary of the day RP and I arrived in the USA from Russia. On one hand these past six months have seemed to fly by, but on the other it seems like so very long ago that I stepped foot on US soil for the first time in two weeks, exhausted from 18-hours of travel time with a cranky and scared 22-month old. I can still remember that day vividly and how antsy I was just to get off the plane, eat "American" food, and sleep in my own bed - not to mention how I couldn't wait for RP's "Papa" to finally meet his granddaughter. I was also terrified that RP would never fully attach to me, that she would scream, cry, and HATE life in the US, and that we would never be able to fall into a comfortable routine for both of us.
Six months later I can't image my life without my RP and I marvel every day at how far she has come. Does she still throw tantrums? Yep - especially when she doesn't get her way, or when she is overly tired. Do I have concerns about her and her attachment to me? Yes and no - yes, I have concerns, but nothing that "ordinary" moms wouldn't have for their children; no about attachment - some days are obviously better than others, but it would appear that she is a normally attached, healthy, strong-willed child who is thriving in her new life.
I look forward to our next six months and all the wonder, excitement, and yes, even challenges, they will bring. I can't imagine my life without my little RP and can't honestly put into words how much I love being her Mommy - I can't imagine a better feeling in the world, and wouldn't trade it for the world!!
Six months later I can't image my life without my RP and I marvel every day at how far she has come. Does she still throw tantrums? Yep - especially when she doesn't get her way, or when she is overly tired. Do I have concerns about her and her attachment to me? Yes and no - yes, I have concerns, but nothing that "ordinary" moms wouldn't have for their children; no about attachment - some days are obviously better than others, but it would appear that she is a normally attached, healthy, strong-willed child who is thriving in her new life.
I look forward to our next six months and all the wonder, excitement, and yes, even challenges, they will bring. I can't imagine my life without my little RP and can't honestly put into words how much I love being her Mommy - I can't imagine a better feeling in the world, and wouldn't trade it for the world!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The difference a year can make
Every once in a while I like to go back and re-read my posts from last year. It is odd that the wait and hope and anxiety from last year can feel so fresh in my mind, yet seem like a lifetime ago. It's ironic that last year I had posts from the day before today and the day after, and both make me chuckle.
A year ago I was anxiously waiting for my referral. My file had only gone to Russia a few days before and I was dying for some type of news on when I could expect to receive my referral, and I was convinced that I would become a mommy to a beautiful little Russian prince. A year ago tomorrow I received the best news of my life - I had been matched with a beautiful 16-month old little princess who would soon become my daughter. Even though she looks scared, confused, and even angry in those referral photos (in one photo you can even tell she had been crying) she melted my heart right away and I KNEW I was meant to be her Mommy.
The following six months were no easier - they were fraught with anxiety and frustration in having to spend more time waiting - waiting to be invited to see her, waiting for our court date, then waiting to finally bring her home. It's hard to believe that all of this only took place a year ago, and that she has only been home with me for 5 1/2 months now. In my heart she has been around forever, and I am so thankful and so happy that our story has a happy ending and that she is now, and forever will be, my little Russian princess!
A year ago I was anxiously waiting for my referral. My file had only gone to Russia a few days before and I was dying for some type of news on when I could expect to receive my referral, and I was convinced that I would become a mommy to a beautiful little Russian prince. A year ago tomorrow I received the best news of my life - I had been matched with a beautiful 16-month old little princess who would soon become my daughter. Even though she looks scared, confused, and even angry in those referral photos (in one photo you can even tell she had been crying) she melted my heart right away and I KNEW I was meant to be her Mommy.
The following six months were no easier - they were fraught with anxiety and frustration in having to spend more time waiting - waiting to be invited to see her, waiting for our court date, then waiting to finally bring her home. It's hard to believe that all of this only took place a year ago, and that she has only been home with me for 5 1/2 months now. In my heart she has been around forever, and I am so thankful and so happy that our story has a happy ending and that she is now, and forever will be, my little Russian princess!
This is the first photo I ever saw of little RP, and I one I stared at for MONTHS before I actually was able to go over and see her in person...
The most recent photo of RP, taken just this past weekend. Not to be TOO cliche', but it truly is amazing what a difference a year can make!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Testing new template
There isn't much new going on here, but I discovered the hard way that "The Cutest Blog on the Blog" or whomever I used to create my old template for this blog removed the background which gave users a lovely "this image cannot be displayed" error throughout my entire blog as you scrolled. Yuck! I'm not thrilled with the new look, but at least that error message is gone, and I now have a bit of motivation to update the look and feel here!
RP is doing well - getting bigger and bigger everyday! Her giggle is infectious and I love hearing it, especially in the morning! This morning she could barely keep her eyes open while I got her dressed for school, but once she realized she was wearing shoes she perked up and immediately was ready for the day (what can I say, the child LOVES shoes!), so much so that she practiced jumping off the step in the kitchen into the family room about 15 times this morning, giggling louder and louder with each jump. It was all the motivation I needed to get through the day, and I can't wait to pick her up tonight for two solid days of RP and Mommy bonding time!
RP is doing well - getting bigger and bigger everyday! Her giggle is infectious and I love hearing it, especially in the morning! This morning she could barely keep her eyes open while I got her dressed for school, but once she realized she was wearing shoes she perked up and immediately was ready for the day (what can I say, the child LOVES shoes!), so much so that she practiced jumping off the step in the kitchen into the family room about 15 times this morning, giggling louder and louder with each jump. It was all the motivation I needed to get through the day, and I can't wait to pick her up tonight for two solid days of RP and Mommy bonding time!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Five months ago today
It seems like a lifetime ago, but five months ago TODAY I stepped off the plane with my little RP. The trek from Russia to the US had us traveling for 18 some-odd hours through Switzerland, and my little RP screamed the majority of the way. I was tired, overwhelmed, and even a bit frightened of what was to come and could not imagine what life would be like once we were settled in - and I kept asking myself, "did I do the right thing - for her and for me?"
It hasn't been easy but I can say without a single doubt that "YES" I did the right thing. RP has blossomed from a seemingly distant, almost angry child (definitely very timid) to a lovable little goofball who loves to run, play, climb, and read stories. She is into everything and sometimes drives me bonkers with her incessant need to be on the go, but when she wraps those chubby little arms around my neck and squeezes tight, then plants a kiss on my lips, all of that goes out the window.
It has been the longest, yet the shortest five months of my life - and I've loved every minute of it!
RP and a friend at his birthday party over the weekend - her first American birthday party (not counting her own!). She had a blast and even though she was half the size of the other kids in the jumpy, once she tried it out she LOVED it - I had a hard time getting her out when it was time to go and enjoy some cupcakes with the birthday boy!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The terrible two's (and other random updates)
When I last posted we were getting ready for the 4th of July and I am happy to say that RP absolutely LOVED the fireworks! She "ooo'd" and "ahhh'd" over a lot of them, although, truth be told, she was so tired at that point that she pretty much remained motionless in my arms during most of the display!
We had our 6-month post-placement social worker visit and it seems to have gone well, although I'm not really sure what I should be expecting of those visits. I go crazy cleaning the house and making sure that RP is dressed cutely and refrains from ripping the bow from her hair until AFTER the social worker leaves, only for her to sit in my kitchen for about 20 minutes, ask me how things are going, take notes on what I tell her, and then leaves. Oh yeah, I also have to provide a dozen or so random photos of RP (alone and with family) to attach to the report - considering I've now taken almost 2000 photos of my little RP the pictures aren't a problem, I just don't get how this is different from the monthly reports I give to the agency, which also include photos. Hmmm...
It seems that after that visit from the social worker the terrible two's kicked into high gear. RP has become increasingly "sassy" (I say that based on tone, since much of what she is sassing about I still can't understand) and throws absolute fits when she doesn't get her way. The past three nights she has gone absolutely crazy at bedtime - screaming, crying, biting herself, hitting at me, shaking the bars of the crib, you name it - as she is insistent that she needs to sleep in Mommy's bed. We have never co-slept so I'm not sure where this is coming from, and I'm starting to wonder if this is a sign that she is ready to move into a big-girl bed. I can say that I am not ready for that move, as I like the security of her still being in the crib, especially with the tantrums that have occurred this week! While the bulk of her terrible "two-ness" has occurred at night, she has certainly been testing her boundaries during the day as well - sassiness, throwing toys or not listening to directions until I start the dreaded counting (she is usually pretty good about listening by the time I get to "2" but I'm already tired of doing it!), and most recently spitting at school and hitting another child because he had the car on the playground that she wanted to play with.
When she ISN'T in the throes of her terrible two's, RP is doing fantastically at home - she, for the most part, is a sweet little girl who loves to laugh, play outside (especially in the water!), and adores her Papa and puppies. While I am treasuring every moment of her being so little, I am more than ready for this "phase" to be over!!!
It seems that after that visit from the social worker the terrible two's kicked into high gear. RP has become increasingly "sassy" (I say that based on tone, since much of what she is sassing about I still can't understand) and throws absolute fits when she doesn't get her way. The past three nights she has gone absolutely crazy at bedtime - screaming, crying, biting herself, hitting at me, shaking the bars of the crib, you name it - as she is insistent that she needs to sleep in Mommy's bed. We have never co-slept so I'm not sure where this is coming from, and I'm starting to wonder if this is a sign that she is ready to move into a big-girl bed. I can say that I am not ready for that move, as I like the security of her still being in the crib, especially with the tantrums that have occurred this week! While the bulk of her terrible "two-ness" has occurred at night, she has certainly been testing her boundaries during the day as well - sassiness, throwing toys or not listening to directions until I start the dreaded counting (she is usually pretty good about listening by the time I get to "2" but I'm already tired of doing it!), and most recently spitting at school and hitting another child because he had the car on the playground that she wanted to play with.
When she ISN'T in the throes of her terrible two's, RP is doing fantastically at home - she, for the most part, is a sweet little girl who loves to laugh, play outside (especially in the water!), and adores her Papa and puppies. While I am treasuring every moment of her being so little, I am more than ready for this "phase" to be over!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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