25 days later . . . .

The best sleeping arrangements . . . 

My bumble bee, good witch and good doctor (missing a few pieces of her costume) . . . 

It's been 25 days since leaving the orphanage with two wondering but brave little girls.  They have done remarkably well with all of the changes in their lives.  It feels like the girls have been with us for so much longer than 25 days - I have to keep reminding myself that they've only been out of the orphanage for that long.  

Both girls seem to really enjoy all of the love and affection that they are getting.  Camryn follows me around the house most of the time and, if she's off playing with her sisters, she comes in and checks with me very often.  Courtney is a little more independent but she also really likes to cuddle and have her head rubbed.  They both are so sweet and are such little cuddlelers.  It's lucky that all 3 girls wake up at different times because they each like to lay with me for a few minutes.  Usually, it's Katy, then Camryn, then Courtney.  I think Camryn would lay there all day if she could - she's my very very sweet one.  Courtney will lay there for a few minutes and then something else will catch her attention and she's off and running again.  She has a lot of "catching up" to do for lost time and she's trying to get it all done quickly!

Both girls have great eye contact and will stare into my eyes with such loving looks.  Their eyes are very different then each others although both have very large brown eyes that have always just pulled me right in.  Camryn normally looks into my eyes with soft, sweet eyes while Courtney looks with glee in her eyes.  She is so happy and so playful it shows in her eyes most of the time.

When the girls first arrived home, Courtney was walking around saying "bor-bor" about every 5 minutes which means something like "I'm feeling pain" according to Olga.  Courtney said it a couple of times even in the car leaving the orphanage.  If she hit her hand on anything it would be "bor-bor" so it wasn't just random but it was ultra-sensitive.  She still does it occasionally, but now it seems that she really only says it when she's actually hurt.  So, I think that's great progress.  She seems to be losing her sensitivity although she still is a little more sensitive then Camryn is.  Courtney now has the same cream & rosy complexion that Camryn has had (after the scabies treatments) and she's filled out quite a bit too.    Courtney also sings all the time now which is very cute.  For some reason she really hooked on to "Ring around the Rosies" from when Katy played it with her in the orphanage.  It is such an awful song but she goes around singing "ashes ashes we all fall down".  It's cute but yuck!  What a strange song that is.

The girls went in for their first big blood draw last week and the results so far have been good.  Courtney screamed through the blood draw but Camryn didn't make a peep!   Camryn was more of the constant big eater originally but now Courtney is overtaking her and is much more adventurous in the things that she'll try.   We'll have more tests down the road but for now things look good with just a few things to take care of  - I'm very focused on getting the physical issues taken care of as I think the developmental issues will catch up quickly when they're completely healthy.  And, with that, the developmental issues seem to be disappearing on their own but I will still get some extra help where it seems necessary.  I'll probably begin that process this coming week.  

Friday was a big day for the girls as they had their first swim lesson and their first Halloween.  The swim lesson went very well and both girls absolutely love the water just like their big sister.  They had no fear and I had to hold one back while the other was getting her time with the instructor.  I was soaking wet as a result.  It was difficult as all 3 girls were getting lessons at the same time (what was I thinking?).  Luckily a friend came by and was very helpful with getting the girls out of the water and ready to go.  Next Friday I'm hoping to be a little better at juggling the 3.  

Halloween was a big hit.  Normally we go into town and do a little trick or treating at the shops but Teddy died in the afternoon so that sort of put a damper on the festivities.  He wasn't with us but was out at the Old Julian property and the people who were going with us needed to take care of Teddy.  Later on we went to one of my sister's neighborhood that is so perfect for kids.  They had haunted backyards and people sitting out on their driveways waiting to greet the kids.  We were going to take it easy but all 3 girls were really enjoying it so we visited about 10 houses and then they greeted the trick or treaters at my sisters house.  It was a lot of fun for all.  

Saturday I ventured out to the grocery store with all 3 girls - but not alone.  I'm changing grocery stores because mine doesn't have the big double carts and that's what I need.  I tried it on Saturday with my sister and niece with me for emergency back up which was needed after about 20 minutes.  If I can get in and out in about that time I think I'll be okay.  The trick will be trying to find one of the carts to put the girls in after parking.  While there, I ran into a friend who took the picture of us.  The whole trip took up most of our pre-nap time but was very good and necessary to get done.

Right now the girls are going down for nap but are not doing it quite as easily as they used to.  I try the soothing music and darkened room but it still takes them a while.  I've got them back in the same room for napping as I really need to sit with them in order to make sure they don't get up and run around.  But, everything is getting a little easier and a little more familiar for me and for them every day.

On another note, Melissa who is in between trips for Colby's adoption, received a call regarding new delays in the region.  I was hoping that things were going to speed up as I had heard the judge was being investigated for dragging things out for so long.  Melissa is now being told 9 to 12 months between trips.  My heart goes out to her and her husband.  It is such a difficult wait and knowing exactly what she is going through makes my happiness with the girls a little bittersweet because there are so many others waiting.  Children, just like mine, waiting and hoping to join families and to start enjoying a life filled with love instead of the grey lonely life in the orphanage.  Parents waiting for children to share their love and joy with and here I am with 3 beautiful little girls.  We are so lucky and, although I know Melissa will be as lucky soon, I know how sad it is for her now and I share that with her.  There's nothing any of us can do to change the process but, as torturous as it is, there is an end to the dark tunnel and the light is brighter than ever at the other end.