Monday, November 21, 2011

Sweet sisters



I've had a lot of people ask how things are going with the sisters.  I've been wanting to do this post for a while but I wasn't sure whose blog to put it on (Millie's, Lindy's, or the family blog).  Just another reason I need to merge the three.  It is on the list of things to do.

Things are going EXCEPTIONALLY well with the Osborn sisters.  



I had worried there would be some jealousy, bossiness, and attention hogging on Lindy's part when we got home.  Afterall, Lindy had 5 1/2 years as an only child and has never lacked for attention.  I had picked up on some jealous statements before we brought home Millie and was worried the green-eyed monster was making its way into her heart and mind.  However, if I can just take a moment and brag I just can't put into words how proud I've been of Lindy.  She welcomed Millie with an open heart and arms and has not only been loving, sweet, and mature about her new sister, but she has also been proactively helpful--so much so that I have to watch that she does not think she's the mommy.  She is quite patient with her and also very nurturing.  



EVERY once in a while I see some jockeying for attention but overall she's been fantastic.  I also have to keep reminding her that Millie is only two and does not understand everything she is saying to her and that two year olds don't know how to engage in a lot of interactive play.  We've been reading Beezus and Ramona together and she can relate to the story fairly well.  God really did a great job answering our prayers in preparing her for her new role and we are so thankful to him for how he equipped her.



Millie came to us knowing Lindy was her big sister--jie jie in Chinese--and upon meeting her at the airport Millie couldn't wait to pull out her picture album and show off all the pictures of Lindy.  It was stinkin' cute.  Although she's never told me, judging by what I've been witnessing, I think Millie is a pretty big fan of her big sister.  Millie might've been the queen bee where she came from and it doesn't appear she was wanting for attention.  We just don't know what the dynamic was and how she fit in.  Initially, Millie seemed to be a bit more volatile with Lindy.  Some days she squealed with delight when she'd see Lindy in the morning or we'd pick her up from school and then other times she didn't want to play with her, give or receive affection from her, she was mean-spirited and aggressive toward her, and she definitely did not want her help in any capacity.  We've made significant strides over the past several days and Millie seems much more accepting of Lindy's help and seems to be much nicer to her on a consistent basis.  


Millie knows we're not going to tolerate swatting, biting, screaming, or being mean.  I hear her repeating, "Lindy help" and "love Lindy," so I think it is coming together in her mind.  She mimics everything Lindy does and cannot wait to pick her up in the afternoon.  We meet Lindy in the library at the school and she about tackles her when she sees her and definitely does not greet her in hushed tones.










Lest you think it is all roses, there are moments of impatience, copying, tattling, being territorial, and other typical things.  However, they really are pretty few and far between considering they've been together just a month today and both have pretty big personalities.




I know there will probably be seasons where they don't like each other but I really hope there will be a time when they are the best of friends and that they will always love one another.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Getting to you know her; getting to know all about her...


It's a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you'll be taught.

 As a teacher I've been learning --
You'll forgive me if I boast --
And I've now become an expert, (Not really; not yet!)
On the subject I like most.
 

Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.

Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.

Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy? (Um, not exactly!!!)
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day...by...day.

--From the "King and I"--Richard Rodgers 



This little tune sums up the way--for the most part--things are going around here this week.  I'm by no means an "expert" and am definitely not "bright and breezy" yet.  

Last week I was in the throes of being schooled by Miss Millie Mei and it was pretty tough.  I was overwhelmed, frustrated, and exhausted.  Things I thought worked, backfired.  She threw curve balls right and left.  Nothing seemed to work.  There was absolutely NO WAY I could have busted out in this song at any point and, if you know me, you know I love a good show tune!

This week has been going significantly better.  I think there are many things I can chalk it up to but I will admit I've been thinking a lot about what it says in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."   

I love that every day God gives us a fresh start with new opportunities.  I love that we also are given a choice to look at things in a positive or negative manner.  After a couple of uplifting talks with friends who've walked this path, our first post placement visit with our social worker, encouraging notes and words from friends and family, prayer, and some internal pep talks, I've been trying to have more peace in the process of getting to know Millie.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to bust out in this song like Deborah Kerr (or is it Carr?) and really be "bright and breezy" because I am an "expert" on all things Millie Mei.

xo~
Lisa

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Our first month with Millie Mei


I truly can't believe we have had Millie for a month.  In many ways, it really just seems like we met her.  I guess in other ways we are still "meeting" her.  Since about 3/4 of the time we have been together has not been our true "new normal," we are really only about one week into trying to get settled into our new routine.  I've contemplated and struggled about what to write for this post.  I will write the truth.  The first month has been one of emotional highs and joyful, happy moments but it has also been one of sobering, exhausting lows.  Isn't that really parenthood in a nutshell, though? 
  




Millie is a very sweet and sensitive child.  She is well-behaved and extremely loving and affectionate.  Her kisses are big, long, and sloppy and her hugs are so tight and she never wants to let go.  She is quick to say, "I love you" and I know she knows what it means and means it.  Having all that by now from a child her age is such a blessing!  Millie has shown she can be very happy like all the handful of pictures we'd seen of her before we met her.  She is a teaser and a ham with a multitude of crazy facial expressions.  




She is also smart as a whip.  That's a weird expression.  Who deemed whips smart, or tacks for that matter?  Weird expressions aside, she is smart.  She is soaking up English like crazy and I know it won't be long until she is getting in her 10,000 words by noon in English. 


She is also 32 months old and she lives up to every bit of her age at times.  Thankfully, tantrums are few and far between and her stubborn side is usually short-lived with a bit of redirection or correction.  She is also, at times, very emotional or on the opposite end she goes into these moments of what I would call despondency.  Either the crying or vacant, faraway look can come on without warning and I don't think I've ever felt more helpless.  I believe it is grief on some level and it is heart wrenching to watch as I just.don't.know.what.to.do!  I pray these moments will go away in time.   

I thought I had done a lot of thinking, praying, and preparation before Millie came home but I will admit the area that has been the biggest struggle for me is that I don't know Millie and she really seems foreign to me.  (I'm not at all talking about the Chinese part; although, there are times I wish I knew what she was saying because I think it'd be funny or I'd find out she has a mouth like a sailor.)  Somehow, whether it was ignorance or arrogance, I skipped over this part the process.  I am embarrassed that I missed the fact that it would take time for ME to get to know her and subsequently learn to parent her accordingly.  I always thought of things from HER perspective of her having the challenge of getting to know us, her new surroundings, her new language, her new life, etc.  However, I guess I hadn't really thought of all the time and challenges I would have in getting to know her intimately and understand her quirks, likes, and dislikes.  We are in a discovery phase which is a humbling place to be.  Daily, I cry out for wisdom and guidance as I try to learn to be the Mommy Millie needs, which is proving to be much different than the one Lindy needed/needs.

We are so thrilled that God has blessed us with Millie.  We are also thankful for all the happy moments of love and joy we've already had with her and we look forward to so many more in the future.  I am also trying to be thankful for these moments of learning and difficulty because I know this is a time of refinement and period of growth.  Please pray for us to learn what God is trying to teach us.     




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

So much to say...so little time...

I am on completely borrowed time as I no longer have Sara or Don blogging for me.  Sadly, I haven't had a moment to blog before now.  However, it is naptime--not a fun time for Miss Millie.  During our last week in China, Millie decided to boycott naps and she's been doing it ever since.  I have faith she will embrace it again soon.  Failure is not an option.

I am going to make this quick and then I will look for opportunities to post other things as I get more into a routine.

We have been home almost two weeks and we are doing well.  Millie is an amazing, brave, bright, and beautiful little girl.  She is doing great and we are so proud of her.  I think every day gets a little better.  When I step back and think of all she has been through since October 10th it brings me to tears.  When I step back even more and think of all that I don't know that she's been through, it makes me cry harder.

Thank you to everyone who sent comments, emails, read the blog, and prayed for us while we were away.  It was such an encouragement and we believe things are going so well because of those prayers!  Thank you so much!

I'll keep the post short and the pictures plentiful!

Love~
Lisa



Millie's signature dance move.  
She figured since Lindy has a dance named after her (the Lindy Hop), she deserves one, too.


My super sweet super stars!


Getting her spaghetti on!  


No noodle is safe if Millie is around.


My pinkalicious cupcake showing off her new word, "smile." 



My pumpkin!