First Week Home

(More blog posts about Beijing coming soon...)

In some ways, I cannot believe that we have already been home for a week. Then, in other ways, I cannot believe that we have only been home for a week. :)

The week has been a long one, mostly because we are still having difficulty adjusting to the time change. Although Maelyn and I have mostly switched our clocks, both Paul and Ailee continue to have difficulty sleeping. As I am writing this, Ailee and Paul are asleep and have been since 1pm. It has been impossible to wake them and they obviously need the rest. It looks like it is going to be a long night!!

Other than the sleep issues that are plaguing us, everything else seems to be falling into place. Since coming home, Ailee has been playing with and bonding more often with Paul. In fact, she will now often leave my side to go and play with her Baba -- especially if Maelyn is playing with him, too. It has been really nice to have a few minutes to myself and to see Paul's joy in spending time with his youngest daughter.

And yet, I am struggling with the time that Ailee needs from me. It is something that I totally expected and have been through before, but it is something that I do struggle with. Ailee spends almost all day in my arms -- and they are now very, very sore. I do remember experiencing the same thing with Maelyn, but with two young children, it is very difficult to carry Ailee all the time. I try to put her down when I have to, but most of the time, it results in a bout of screaming that won't stop until I pick her back up. If time away from me is her idea, then she has no problem playing with other or with her toys, as long as she can see me. I am also missing my one on one time with Maelyn.

I am a very independent person and I struggled with the same thing when Maelyn came home. I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. Very shortly, the clingyness (at least to this degree) will be a distant memory. I will then be able to make dinners, clean the house, and keep up with things going on in our lives. Until then, I need to be there for Ailee so that she learns to trust me completely.

Maelyn and Ailee have had an interesting week, working out their relationship as sisters. They generally get along quite well. If both of them (or even one of them) are tired, then the arguments, yelling and screaming over stolen toys and treasures can be heard down the street. If they are both rested and have full bellies, they are able to spend more time together without jealousy.

Ailee will cry and throw herself on the floor if I am showing overt attention towards Maelyn. If I am hugging her or holding her on my lap -- watch out! Yesterday, the girls played really well together. Ailee will follow Maelyn and try to copy everything she is doing. Although, if Maelyn isn't listening, Ailee will try to move her face so that she has to listen to me. She also hands Maelyn her clothes every morning to help her get dressed. Ailee is learning so much from watching her big sister.

Maelyn has had some difficult moments this week, but we are trying to show her some understanding and sympathy -- her family dynamics have changed and that isn't easy for a four year old. Right now she is immitating everything Ailee does -- if she is crying and screaming, Maelyn will cry and scream and in exactly the same way. It is grating to listen to both of them going at it at the same time, but I just find myself lauging to the point of having tears in my eyes when I have two crying and screaming kids on my lap. Makes sense, though -- Ailee gets our attention by crying, so Maelyn figures it is a good way to get us to pay attention to her. For now, I am trying to indulge her as often as I can, so that she is reassured of her place in our family.

My sister and nephew have been to visit twice and it has been wonderful to see all three kids together. In fact, even though it took us over an hour of teamwork to get the girls out of the house, we met my sister at the mall and had our annual visit with Santa.

Maelyn loved visiting Santa and was thrilled that she received a candy cane -- yummy!

Today we went to the paediatrician and he declared Ailee to be in good health. The bronchitis and eye infection have cleared and we are working on the poops with lots of fibre. :) We will go back next month to start her rounds of vaccinations.

Ailee's favourite things right now are combs (loves to brush her hair and everyone else's), pens (she loves to draw), a very noisy microphone that plays the same two songs over and over again, her slippers and shoes, and petting our cat, Rocky.

She intensely dislikes diaper and clothing changes, her car seat, when we need to use the comb she is clinging to, and messes (she is a neat freak).

Our love for Ailee is growing every single day. It is such a wonderous process to first meet, then get to know, and love this little monkey. She is such a happy baby who smiles and laughs often. Ailee brings such joy to our lives and adds to the love in our family.

Daddy -- jet lag kicking in....

I haven't captured a picture of it yet, but this girl has a perfect pencil grip -- at 19 months!!
As a Kindergarten teacher, that blows my mind! :)

Happy girl...

Our little miss...

Don't let this photo fool you -- I can only get her to stay in her chair for about two minutes.
Then, it is back on Mama's lap. Can't wait till we master this skill so that I can eat on my own! :)

One of her favourite activities -- sweeping!

Trying mango greek yogourt for the first time...yummy!

Passed out in the living room...

Mama tried making cookies with Maelyn, but Ailee wouldn't be put down.
Auntie April popped by to say hello and saved the day! :)