One Month Home

On Sunday, we celebrated one month home with Lilah. So much has changed in just one month! Little, by little she begins to trust us a bit more each day. She still has her clingy moments with me when she is tired or sometimes when she knows I will be leaving, but all in all these have become fewer and fewer. My mom has visited twice in the last 2 weeks and noticed just in that period of time how much more engaged and relaxed she was on the 2nd visit. I think the gain in trust has at least partly helped her sleep more soundly and for longer durations. Hurray for all of us! We had been feeding her an extra protein smoothie about 30 minutes before bedtime followed by her nightly bottle (which contains whole milk, formula, and rice cereal), but the last 2 nights she went without and still slept through the night. I think she has gained at least 3 pounds, maybe more since we have been home. Her hair is much thicker and softer, and she is developing quite the "Buddha " belly!

Another huge improvement has been the decrease in Lilah's wild mood swings. The first time I witnessed a full-blown temper tantrum, I thought she was having a seizure. She flailed on the ground, made no sound, turned blue, and literally stopped breathing for at least 4-5 seconds. Yes, I do have another child, and no, I have never quite experienced such drama before. Yes, temper tantrums; no, holding your breath until you are blue. Luckily, these, too have lessened. Most of the time, she is a happy, energetic, very funny toddler. Her dance moves could put anyone to shame, and often involve lots of arm waving as if she is conducting a symphony orchestra. She has developed a LOVE, love of books. If anyone is sitting on the floor, she will bring a book over and begin backing up until she reaches their lap. She hasn't produced any English words that we can recognize, but her comprehension already is astounding. Our pediatrician was very pleased with her development and thinks she may be on-track for language at 2. The only cause for concern is a slightly elevated lead level in her blood, which is probably due to lead paint on one or both of the cribs in the orphanage and/or foster home. I think this is pretty common in Chinese adoptees, although it bares watching

On a postive note, Quinn and Lilah are really starting to bond. At first it was a little touch and go, with a few jealousy issues on both their parts. I think Quinn was a little sad that she showed him little affection at first, but now she sits in his lap (of course, mostly on her terms) and allows him to carry her around.The beaming smile on his face makes my day. He loves to go into her room with me in the morning to wake her up. Yes, she actually wakes up after the rest of us! He is a great big brother.

Brad & Lilah have also started to bond. She now identifies him as "the smoothie or bottle guy" and gets really excited when she hears either the blender or microwave going. Her newest thing is to charge him from across the room with arms spread wide and a huge grin on her face. She loves her daddy.

I am returning to work part-time in two weeks, and I can honestly say that I am not ready. I am really enjoying this special time with Lilah and am amazed at how much she has changed in such a short period of time. She is truly a survivor. She has brought so much joy to our lives.