Six amazing weeks!

It’s been exactly six weeks since we arrived home from China and things have been good! Finn is amazing. Her ability to roll with things, giggle and be joyous impresses us to no end. To have been transplanted into a completely different culture, with different looking people, language, food and habits—EVERYTHING—and be so bubbly and comfortable with us is a blessing. Here she is lounging in our home office with Milo.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been tears, tantrums and pouting. Bedtime is a challenge for her and that’s pretty common for children who have lived in an institutional setting used to bunking with several kids and an ayi. We hope that over time, she will realize that day or night, she is part of our family and we will love and keep her safe. In the meantime, if you see Steve and I out and about with toothpicks prying our eyelids open, you’ll know why!

The “new sibling smell” has worn off (as Steve put it) and the kiddos act like they’ve been brothers and sisters forever. They can argue and nitpick one moment and giggle and share the next. They really love each other and have learned to hug and say “I’m sorry” when conflicts happen.

She’s also handled the many appointments and errands patiently and cheerfully. We’ve had doctors visits, immunizations, lab work, x-rays as well as social security and school registration. She begins school as a 2nd grader next week right behind Liam in 3rd and Aidan in 4th. We don’t know what she will think of school. She spent the last several years living in a self-contained environment in the SWI that had sleeping quarters, small classrooms, a playroom, kitchen / bath and staff offices all on one floor. The elementary school is huge with two floors, dozens of classroom, two gyms and two playgrounds. We’re trying to get help and accommodations in place to help her transition smoothly and learn more English.

We’ve learned she is extremely farsighted and have had her fitted for glasses. The eye doctor says they will make a huge difference for her and she’ll be able to see things she’s probably never even noticed before (thank you JCPenney’s $25 kids glasses!)

Speaking of learning, she is picking up so much! We’ve been working with her using flash cards, videos and simply spending time slowly introducing new concepts to her. She can count to 15, is learning colors and shapes, manners, body parts and is starting on ABCs.

Slowly, we’ve made introductions with family members and friends and she’s handled it so well. She loves her family and has gotten along well with our friends’ kids. She loves it when people visit and she gets to dress up!

We’re so blessed to have her, each other and our family and friends!