We were certainly in survival mode this week trying to get over the jetlag and the shock that going from adults outnumbering the children to man-on-man defense. We felt a little like we had an infant at home as she was prone to sleeping in four hour chunks at the beginning of the week, but then when she was awake we were well aware that she was a curious and energetic toddler! She is doing amazingly well with communicating – she seems to understand most of what we are saying and uses a mixture of gestures, toddler Korean that we understand, and sign language that we have taught her – she’s a quick learner! She is also doing quite well transitioning to our food palate. Her foster family sent us home with some rice and seaweed that we offer at least once a day, but she is also willing to try just about anything we put in front of her. You should have seen her go to town on the chicken and noodle dish that our friend Nancy brought us last night!
The other thing she is REALLY good at is imitating and considering that’s how kids learn at this age, she has learned a lot this week from all of us, but especially from Nicholas.
And we have learned a lot about her!
- She LOVES to play in the sink! She has spent a lot of time washing her hands and brushing her teeth this week. And she’s started wanting to sit on the toilet – at first I thought it was simply to copy Nicholas, but now I think it has more to do with ripping toilet paper and washing hands afterwards! She would also love to take a bath every time we enter the bathroom if we’d let her. I guess there’s nothing wrong with impeccable hygiene!
- She has a great sense of humor and loves to tickle and roughhouse. She has added more energy and joy than we thought imaginable!
- She loves making new friends and handing out hugs to anyone her size. We are working on learning boundaries. :)
- She likes the dogs a little too much. She is learning the concept of “gentle hands.”
- She gets jealous of any attention we give to Nicholas but is also content to play by herself for short periods of time (making kitchen cleanup a bit easier!).
- Like most kids, she does not like to be told no. We think one of our challenges during this transition is that we are trying to meld two only children used to getting what they want, when they want. Sorry kids, I guess it’s time to learn that life isn’t fair.
Nicholas has been a very sweet big brother this week. This may be the honeymoon period, but we are hopeful this means there’s potential for a lifelong friendship! A few quotes from this week:
- “When will she get up? I want to play with her!“
- “I miss my mom and my sister.” – told to his preschool teacher on Thursday.
- “We should go back and visit Kylie’s foster mom when she is older. I think she would like that!”
- “Kylie told me to do it!” He’s also quickly figured out how a sibling comes in handy when trying to pass the blame while getting in trouble!
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