Tuesday, November 11, 2008

New Photo Link

I created a new family photo album as I can download the photos much quicker there.  For those who would like to see the most recent photos, click on the link and it will take you there.  You can view them individually or by slideshow (which takes a few seconds to download).  I hope you enjoy them!

What a difference a month makes

It was one month ago today that we left Moscow and landed in LA.  At times, being a mom of 3 still feels new to me but there are also those times that I feel like I've been doing this (work) forever!   As every busy mom before me knows, my days are filled with trying to keep things under control and trying to keep children dry, clean, fed & happy.  I'm finding that this is no easy task but, at the end of the day when they're all asleep and I look back at the comical pictures of the day I can usually re-balance myself for the next day.

Stories of the past week:

Nighttime drama.  I've been trying to find the best method of getting the twins to go to sleep.  I'll read a few books sometimes while they're in their beds or sitting on mine trying to include Katy.  The books are a little juvenile for Katy so this is a little trying.  I then tuck the girls in bed and kiss them each goodnight.  It's not long before I hear the giggling and the bumps in the rooms.  I've removed all toys and really anything within reach for them in hopes that out of shear boredom they'd fall asleep.  I've tried sitting with them until they fall asleep but I am something for them to focus on which becomes a problem.  I've tried ignoring the chattering and giggling and let them fall where they may but that only worked for so long.  Poor Katy took the brunt of the error in that method when she stepped on a very poopy diaper that Camryn had removed and threw into the hallway.  What a surprise that was for all of us and it was the end of the ignoring them.  Another night I thought they were both asleep and I hear Camryn calling "mammmmaaa" in her special way and I go into check on them.  I walked in and she opened her mouth wide and said her "haaaaaaa" which only she can do and pointed at her sister who was in the process of removing her pj's.  I was very surprised that she "told on her sister" but I was pretty pleased that she got the message from the previous night that removing the pj's is a "no-no"!  So, every night we try something different including earlier naps during the day.  It's tough because the house doesn't shut down when it's time for them to shut down.  Katy tries to be quiet but it's very difficult as every little foot step tends to catch their attention.

Katy's melodrama:  Aunt Lynnie and Kellie were visiting one day and Katy got in a little bit of trouble with them.  She then stormed into her room and when Kellie went in to check on her, my just turned 4 year old told her that she was packing her bag and leaving!  Kellie came and reported this to me and I went and found Katy putting her Dora back pack on getting ready to depart.  I asked her where she was going to go and told her I was very sad that she was leaving and all she kept saying was she was LEAVING.  She walked into her sister's room and sat down between their beds and announced that that is where she was going.  I was pretty relieved but we felt that possibly she may be in need of a break from her mom and sisters so we sent her to Aunt Lynnies for a few hours where she had a wonderful time.  

Mealtime Drama:  The twins are typical 2 year olds with their eating habits although I think that they did not have much variety at the orphanage and what they did have was probably very bland.  Courtney eats a lot more then Camryn these days but even so, they basically just want bananas.  The girls are not adventurous in their eating so I've taken to taking advantage of their good natures and sticking new foods in their mouths - they're not always too pleased with this but I've found that if I can just get them (force them) to try one bite then often they like it and we'll find a new food to add to their list.  The forced tomato didn't go over too well (one of Katy's favorites) but they loved the brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, meat sauce pasta and the creamed rice.  They loved the creamed rice so much that I gave them each a second bowl which was somewhat of a mistake with Courtney as she obviously wasn't hungry any longer.  She took that opportunity to play with the food and rub in all over her face and hair.  It was everywhere and since they didn't get the first birthday messy cake experience I let this one go and got the pictures.  But, I'm doing my best to prevent meals like this in the future as I feel my days really are spent picking up and cleaning up after the three girls.

Sisters bonding:  The twins seem to be okay as far as attachment issues go.  They're definitely attached to each other and seem appropriately attached to me considering the amount of time we've been together.  They have had a little trouble attaching with Katy however.  I think it's probably because they had to defend their space from the bigger kids in the orphanage and, Katy is not the most gentle little girl.  This week I've seen lots of progress with that.  Katy is trying to do things a little more softly and the girls are responding to that.  They watch katy and mimic what she does which pleases Katy to no end.  They've been playing well together and have spent hours playing outside, playing dress-up, dancing and playing in the playroom together.  I think those are my happiest moments - seeing all 3 girls happy together makes any work or fatigue worthwhile.  

I'll have to post pictures later as Camryn is waking up from her nap.   I have some very cute pictures of this past week including of the twins crawling into their playpens this afternoon when I told them it was nap time.  It was so nice for me as they both walked in and got in their own playpens and laid down!  I wish night time was so easy (Katy is at school during nap time which helps a lot!).   Much more to come!