First Week Home

Wow! Has it already been a week? Has it only been a week?!?

We're trying to settle into a routine here. It's tough, and I know that it will take far more time than a mere 7 days for us all to get used to our new household. But it's hard to be patient.

Two and a half years ago when we brought Ruby home, I had moments when I just wanted to go back in time to before we had her. I felt so terrible thinking that, but now I know that's a normal reaction for first-time parents.

This time around I don't wish I could go back in time. I wish I could go forward in time. About 3 or 4 months forward, when Lin can talk with us, at least a little bit. It's so hard to know what to do with ourselves. We bought her a couple books in China, but she doesn't read them. We bought her some CDs but she doesn't go into her room and listen to them. We upgraded our cable to include a few Mandarin-language TV stations but she doesn't watch them. And I don't know why. I can't ask her, and she can't tell me.

So, it's just tough. But we knew it would be.

I still have to say, yet again, how amazed I am with Lin. She is just doing great. And Ruby is doing great. I don't want to jinx anything, but the temper tantrums seem to have decreased back down to normal levels (she is 3, after all!). Dave and I are still feeling tired a lot. How strange that Lin seems to have gotten over the jet lag before we did? But that seems to be the case. I think I'm having trouble staying asleep due to anxiety. I wake up, worried about so many things, from household chores that remain undone to wondering how on Earth Lin is going to learn to read and write English.

We do have a meeting with a family counselor next week, so I'm looking forward to that. Our social worker suggested counseling when we first started the process to bring home an older child and I couldn't agree more. I just want to be very proactive, not reactive. If I feel there's an issue that needs dealing with, we will already have a counseling relationship established. In the ten minutes I was on the phone with her to set up the appointment we already talked about Lin and the dog. The counselor, Sara, told me that what Lin needs right now is to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her mom and dad will respect her fear of our dog and keep the dog away from her. She needs to know she can depend on us to protect her. In time I hope she learns to like the dog, but for now we are just keeping them seperated.

Dave just peeked over my shoulder and told me I was writing a "Debbie Downer" post. I certainly don't mean to sound negative! Haven't I said over and over that our Lin is amazing?!? In fact, she's sitting right next to me taking a picture of me even as I type. And she showed interest today in learning how to ride a bike. Tune in for more of that great adventure!