A Week Later

We've been home a week now. I think I'm finally catching up on sleep. Maybe. And I think we may be adjusted to the regular time zone. Just in time to be pushed ahead another hour on Sunday. Yippee!

It is hard to try to get Sarah to pose for any pictures, especially when she's focused on some toy or activity. Friday, the girls had on the matching dresses. So cute!
Abby and Sarah playing "together" or rather near each other. :)
I got this look frequently in China. Now, not so much. It makes me laugh now.
Now, I get more of these!!

A lot of people have been asking how Abby is adjusting and how we're all adjusting together. I must say that adding one more daughter to the family is not as life-altering as was adding the first. I know the routine now: sleep, feed, play, etc. And I don't get as frazzled when Sarah cries or fusses. That's not to say that she hasn't thrown us some curve balls.

As I mentioned in the last post, Sarah is scared of the dogs. A little more scared of the younger one than the older one, but he's not even being that feisty. And I think he's a little jealous of the time I'm spending with her. Anyway, when she sees them, she'll squeal and it sounds like a squeeze toy. It's funny. But she is getting better about it. It depends on how tired she is.

Another surprise came the day after we came home. This was a good surprise. My mom and dad had brought dinner to us and were visiting. I mentioned that the girls needed a bath but I was dreading it. The whole time in China, Sarah screamed and stiffened up when we were giving her a bath. Even when her Daddy was sitting in the tub with her. It was quite traumatic. My Dad said, "well, maybe she'll surprise you." I said something to the effect of "You don't know this girl!"

So then, Billy was getting them both ready for the bath. She showed Sarah the stacking cups (the same cups we had in China) and she reached for them. He put them in the tub instead and then put her in as well. Not a peep she uttered. She just sat there and started playing. And she didn't cry when we washed her hair or anything. She was not ready to get out of the tub until all the water had drained. Amazing!!!



Abby has been having a difficult time coming to grips with having a sister... a sister that her Mommy and Daddy spend time with and play games with, etc. We reassure Abby of our love for her and try to explain how we need to bond with Sarah just like we did with her. And Abby is trying to get to know Sarah as well. Abby enjoys being with Sarah and doing things with her. She also likes to show her off to her friends at school and church. I know she loves Sarah but it is an adjustment in her mind that if Mommy and Daddy love Sarah, do they still love me? I'm sure that as time goes on, they will bond together and one day not even remember what it was like to be without each other. But for now, it is hard as she tries to figure out where everyone will fit in.

We have been very blessed by church family and MOPS friends providing meals for us in the evenings. It has been wonderful not to have to think of dinner, too. And Sarah likes most everything we feed her as long as it is mashed up pretty good.

We are looking forward to Sarah's birthday party and "baby" shower. I can't wait to show off our new little daughter. I hope she doesn't get too overwhelmed.