The twins are doing very well and Katy is coming around. I've had to ban Katy from her pony bed and have her sleeping with me (again) so that we can both get a full nights sleep. It worked wonders and now she sleeps through the night and is back to her 5:30 AM wake up. Still too early but at least it's not 3 AM like it had been. Today she actually slept in until around 7:30 as did the twins.
Tomorrow is Katy's 4th birthday and the celebrations actually started on Thursday and haven't stopped. Stacy arrived on Thursday to join in all of the festivities (for those who don't know, Stacy accompanied me to Russia when I picked Katy up) and she's been a lot of fun for me and the girls. Thursday night Aunt Lynnie threw a Scooby-Doo pizza party for Katy. Katy had a great time as did the twins. They had their second swimming experience (with the exception of the bathtub) and loved it. They then joined in on the trampoline with Katy and cousins and loved that too of course. They didn't enjoy the pizza much as I'm finding to be the case with a lot of American kids foods but we're making progress.
Last night, Katy had her last soccer game with her current team and the "Old Julian Petting Farm" folks had another pizza/awards/birthday party honoring her. The twins sat in the twin stroller and watched the game and clapped right along with everyone else which was very cute. As long as I had a steady stream of snacks heading their way they were content. They watched the birthday/awards celebration very patiently.
Tonight another family dinner and tomorrow a big birthday celebration with Katy's pre-school friends at the pump-it-up facility. It sounds like a lot for the twins I know but they're handling things very well. They know who mama is and come to me with their needs (and loves) but they are also friendly with others. I like that they are so social and don't want to lose that if I can help it but I also like the re-directing of them to me when they're hungry or hurt, etc. It seems to be working. I left them for a few hours on Wednesday in order to take Katy to her dance class. They took her place in Katy's little pre-school and when I went back to pick them up they were playing with the other kids. They looked up and saw me and both came running into my arms laughing. It was very cute but, more importantly, it was a very big step. I feel that we are well on our way to their understanding of who "mama" is and what that really means for them.
They had their first big doctor appointment with the international specialist. They both did great. Courtney revealed some physical movements in the orphanage that were a little concerning but mentally she's always been right there with Camryn. Her body was stiff in the orphanage but after our visits she seemed to loosen up. By the time we picked her up the only stiff body part was her hands. She quickly improved the hand movements too but still has some self-soothing habits. The doctor said that some of the movements are similar to autistic behavior but that she is not autistic. She has great eye contact and is focused appropriately. The stiffness and movements (hand flapping, sensory sensitivity) are common in institutionalized children and they normally grow out of them shortly after joining their families. This has proven to be the case with Courtney although she still has some catching up to do as far as weight goes. But, she's eating as much, if not more, as Camryn, so she'll catch up there quickly.
Both girls were tested for TB and came out negative. That was a surprise as they have apparently figured out a way around the false positive they normally get when children have received the vaccine as all 3 of my girls have. They still have to have tons of blood drawn but all in all they passed their appointment with flying colors. Camryn is in the 38 percentile for height and 8 percentile for weight while Courtney who is 1/2 inch smaller and 1 pound lighter is 26 and 6. So, both are doing pretty well.
The girls have graduated from throwing the food they don't want on the floor to just saying "naaaaah" and putting it down on their tray. This was a huge improvement for me. We've also gone from screaming for food every morning to them sitting quietly in their highchairs while I cook breakfast for them. If I'm too slow and am losing their patience, I have a banana ready to go to buy me some more time. It seems to be working. Both girls are sleeping through the night, eating enough, playing a lot, enjoying the So. California sun tremendously and seem to be happy most of the time. The only real exceptions are when it's time to get out of the bath (or they can't have one when they "demand" it) and, when I say it's "night-night" time. They don't like that but normally go right down anyway. They share a room at night but at nap time I've got them in separate rooms and they don't seem to mind that. Eventually I will put them in their own rooms - I think it will be important for both (especially Courtney) to have a some opportunities to gain some individuality and independence.
As far as English goes - I think they understand everything. I can ask Camryn to give something to Courtney, or vice versa, and she does it. They understand when I tell them to put their hands on their heads, sit on their bottoms, etc. They say a few words but not really very many. They repeat things instantly when I say them but then they use few on their own so far. Courtney does tell me when she needs a new diaper which is always helpful. Camryn now shakes her head yes in response to my questions but neither shake no yet.
All in all it's been a pretty easy transition for me and for them so far. Katy has had the hardest time of it and still sends them to "her mommy" when they need something. I don't think she fully understands yet that I am also their mommy. We've had a few cute moments in the car, when they're all strapped down, that the 3 are interacting together but it's pretty occasional. Sometimes I catch Katy playing with Camryn but mostly Katy does something she's not supposed to do and then the twins follow and Katy ends up getting in trouble.
I'll post more pictures later . . . but, right now, I smell a dirty diaper so I'd better get back to my duties.
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