We have been home for 6 months! The time has flown by. It was just a year ago today that we got our travel date. We had absolutely no idea what was going to happen when we went to Ukraine. We were so lucky and found the perfect child for our family. I remember being in Ukraine just wishing to get home to start our lives. Here is a little recap of what Tetyana has experienced since becoming an American citizen and what she is like and a picture of when we first met.
- Tetyana has learned to swim.
- Tetyana has learned to ride a bike.
- She is learning to read and spell and has great strengthened her math skills.
- She has celebrated her first American birthday, 4th of July, Mother's and Father's Day and is anxiously awaiting to get dressed up for Halloween.
- She only speaks English and has forgotten almost all of her naitive language.
- She loves Hanna Montana and High School Musical.
- She is still very hungry and wants to eat 24/7. We haven't found anything she won't eat.
- She has only gained 2 pounds but has gained 2 inches.
- Her table manners are so much better.
- She is very obedient and very easy to parent. She is anxious to please us.
- She is very emotional and can turn on the tears at the drop of a hat.
- Tetyana loves school and is happy to do extra homework to get caught up.She has started ballet but I think she would prefer jazz.
- She is a Girl Scout.
- She loves TV and would stand right in front of it all day if we let her.
- Tetyana has learned to use a computer and mouse. Her favorite websites are Club Penguin and Webkinz.
- She is already boy crazy!
- She has no sense of style and needs a lot of help matching her clothes each day.
- She is very friendly and will walk into any situation and make friends.
- She is cavity free!
Here is how we are adjusting as a family:
- Luke often wishes he were the only child again but is happy when he wants someone to play with. They fight all the time over the stupidest things!
- Drew is worried about the cost of feeding her but is still smitten with her. She is thrilled to see him at the end of each day.
- I am still working on bonding with Tetyana. I have come to realize that it is okay that it is taking time. I am trying to let go of the pressure I was putting on myself.
We can't wait to see what the next 6 months brings her and our family!
7 comments:
It FLIES by doesn't it?! Sounds like she is making great progress. You're right not to beat yourself up about the amount of time it is taking to bond with Tetyana. Sometimes the bond is immediate...sometimes it takes time. I've experienced both. With my oldest and youngest it was immediate. With my middle two, it took longer - with my older daughter it was probably a year before I truly felt she was mine. Now I wouldn't trade her for anything. ;) Don't worry - your bond will grow stronger with time.
Tetyana has transitioned so beautifully. Congrats on this big milestone.
Isn't hard to believe how fast the time goes, while also hard to remember life without them here?
She's a beautiful girl. Can't wait to see the continued progress she makes over the next 6 months (and beyond)!
I must admit, I am relived to hear that Tetyana is emotional, too. Halle Grace can turn on the water works at the drop of a hat (and she can turn them off just as quickly). It's nice to know we're not alone in that! :) Congrats on 6 months home. It's hard to believe isn't it?
I've been meaning to tell you that the other day, Halle Grace said, "Mommy, remember that place where we ate with some of your friends - they had one boy and one girl - and we played in the play area? Can we go back to that place and play with them?"
She was talking about meeting ya'll for dinner in Kiev! How sweet is that?!
I'll find out the name of the shipping company for you - a missionary from Ukraine told me about it. It's some sort of non-profit.
Can't wait to see the Halloween pics of the kids! Have a great week.
J
She is doing so well! Glad to read it!
By the way, pretty soon it will be one, then two, and then three like us! Where does the time go?
Congrats on 6 months as a family! Wow, time really does fly. So glad to read that Tetyana and Luke are doing so well. It does take time for us moms of older kids, but the bonding comes in ways you never expected. Just think how far you will have come in another 6 months?!
Michelle-
It IS so hard to believe that it has been 6 months already! Wow! Congratulations!
She is such a beauty and boy crazy? Already??? Well- I guess that Drew will be spending alot of nights watching out the window in about 10 years!
Congrats!
Amy
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