Hey friends! I wanted to kiss the ground once we landed in Birmingham. It was a LONG flight from Hong Kong to Chicago- Annie was not a happy passenger- and then we thought we might miss our flight home due to a hold up in immigration- but alas, we are finally in our beds at nights- maybe not sleeping-but it is so nice to be in a familiar place and most importantly to be back with Charlie and Edie!
We are definitely going through a transition.....2 big issues-
1. sleep deprivation- Annie has woken up at 2 or 3am the last 3 nights ready to go for the day- we let it slide the first night- but the last 2 we have "made" her go back to sleep - which took a couple of hours and some medication. So Ev and I are ready to be back on our normal schedule but with her awake we all seem to be suffering together. :)
Those of you who know me well know that do NOT cope well with much of anything when I'm exhausted- so if you see me out and about with the 9 yard stare, or if you ask me how things are going and I start crying (happened this morning when I dropped off Edie at preschool)- please hug me and/or tell me it will all be alright! It's sort of like having baby- yet SO different an experience at the same time
2. the trio: so Charlie and Edie have been so excited about adopting from day one. Since April we've known it would be Annie and they have anticipated her arrival with such joy....and Annie is not very excited.....yet.......about her 2 siblings. It is hard for my older kids to understand that it took her 10 days to be really comfortable with Everette and I- and that was 24/7 attention, 2 on1. Charlie is struggling with giving her any space- he loves little kids so much and just wants to help her with everything- and his rewards have mostly been pushes, shoves, grunts, and yes, 2 slaps across the face. Edie has been better about keeping her distance- I think mainly out of jealousy- she's not so sure about this whole thing- we have heard comments at least 5 times a day since we've been home about how we must love Annie more because we hold her and kiss her more - how Annie is cuter than her b/c she is smaller etc...God love them ALL! Feelings have been hurt all around and there's not a whole lot we can do right now but nestle in and experience the slow integration of a new family member that is 2 and a half and grew up across the world with no concept yet of family.
We have discovered that bathtubs may be our saving grace. Last night they all 3 climbed in our tub for at least 30 minutes and Annie for some reason was not bothered by their physical proximity. While Charlie and Edie were at school today, Annie took another 1 hour bath. So, the Herrings will be a clean bunch this fall.
Can't wait until we are sleeping. I forgot how hard things can be when you're tired. I only cried twice today so far! On a happy note- Annie likes our house and new toys and new clothes. She loves to be outside. She loves the wind blowing in her face. She does smile at our big kids, a little. And even lets Charlie hug her from time to time. And Charlie and Edie are being very brave and still brag about her to their friends and try so hard to connect with her.
It's all about patience....easier said than lived....we are doing our best. Will post pics when I have energy to download them.
Can't say enough thanks for all the smiles, good wishes, prayers, meals, playdates, phone calls and emails from friends and family- they mean SO much to us all. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Love, Julie and Ev and the trio :)
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