One of the most eye-opening parts of this whole adventure, has been witnessing the changes in Valeria since we first met her. We'd read the conventional wisdom on adoption websites, and are now convinced: "the baby you take home will be a different baby than the one you meet."
In the 2-1/2 weeks since they brought her in to meet us at the baby house, Lera has changed from a quiet, shy and entirely-obedient little girl with no apparent interest in saying words, to a confident & exuberant little ham - with a mind of her own. (Hey, ya gotta take the good with the 'bad'!) She now routinely says Mama, Papa, Oxana, about 6 words in Russian and/or Kazakh, and a few in English (up, in, out, more, ball).
We have come to think of her as an amazing little girl; she has had some tragic things happen in her life, but her little internal joy pilot light is still burning strong! She laughs a lot, and has even started to pretend and tease (she now completely cracks herself up by calling Russ "Mama.") We cannot wait to get her home with the kids: we know Kristin will enjoy playing with her and teaching her so much, and can just see Aidan clowning around to get one of her belly-laughs!
Here are a few other things we find special about Lera:
* her enthusiastic vocalizations "oy!" "opa!" and "oh boy!"
* the way her upper lip curls under when she's being droll or sly
* her happy greeting when we arrive: bounding out of her "gruppe" room with arms wide open, basically plowing into one of us with a big hug
* the concerned little crinkle face she makes when she needs to go "pisset"
* her patience. Even when she is just dying to go outside - which is a big deal for these kids - she sits patiently on the bottom stair while we stop to put on our shoes.
* her (sometimes relentless) persistence in learning and mastering activities, such as climbing the rope latter to the slide
* her helpfulness - she is trained, and apparently content, to always help clean up (awesome!)
* the way she ends most of our visits, returning to her "gruppe" with a wave and saying "paka" (bye bye, delivered with a tone of 'later, dudes'). We don't know if this is good or bad, as far as attachment is concerned, but we still think it's cute. (And, it will make it much easier for us to leave her in a few weeks, knowing that she is happy in her environment.)
* her enthusiastic vocalizations "oy!" "opa!" and "oh boy!"
* the way her upper lip curls under when she's being droll or sly
* her happy greeting when we arrive: bounding out of her "gruppe" room with arms wide open, basically plowing into one of us with a big hug
* the concerned little crinkle face she makes when she needs to go "pisset"
* her patience. Even when she is just dying to go outside - which is a big deal for these kids - she sits patiently on the bottom stair while we stop to put on our shoes.
* her (sometimes relentless) persistence in learning and mastering activities, such as climbing the rope latter to the slide
* her helpfulness - she is trained, and apparently content, to always help clean up (awesome!)
* the way she ends most of our visits, returning to her "gruppe" with a wave and saying "paka" (bye bye, delivered with a tone of 'later, dudes'). We don't know if this is good or bad, as far as attachment is concerned, but we still think it's cute. (And, it will make it much easier for us to leave her in a few weeks, knowing that she is happy in her environment.)
We've often been told, "She is a lucky girl that you are adopting her" - but truthfully, we feel pretty lucky too.
This Hickey adventure has been perfect for you both providing everything for your wander lust: new sites to see, language to learn and challenges such as shopping and laundry. And your slow paced schedule makes it a real vacation.
ReplyDeleteOf course the high point is meeting and bonding with darling little Lera who appears to be as taken with you both as you are to her. Your pictures and insights make us feel like we know and love her too.
Your U.S. children are receiving premium care, but we will all be happy when you are home together as a family of five.
Keep up the wunnerful blog!
With love,
Ma
Just spent 15 minutes catching up on 2 weeks' worth of blogs--what a joy! Several of us at work suddenly realized the other day that you've been gone for 3 weeks--hard to believe (probably for you as well). Hearing about (and watching) your relationship with this precious little girl unfold is wonderful. It's also great to follow along with the big milestones, including the happy social workers!
ReplyDeleteAll be best from Mt. Adams (and Anderson Township)--
SEB
What a sweet post! I love it that you're recording these thoughts and feelings and milestones because, you're right, they change daily!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't think it's a bad thing that Lera is waving to you when you leave. Sasha did that for almost our whole time in Kaz. The truth is that the full gravity of your relationship with her hasn't sunk in yet, and there's nothing bad about her being a-ok to go back to her group after a fun visit with Mama and Papa.
Aidan says, "I hope you're having a good time over there. We can't wait until Valeria comes home!" Krissy says, "Hi Mommy and Daddy. I hope you are having a GREAT time. When Daddy comes back from (what's that country's name again?) Kazakhstand I will love it and when both of you guys come back from Kazakhstand I will be happy and I hope you guys have fun."
ReplyDelete