When you're 2 years old and away from "home" for the first time. I think it's understandable that you might cry a little...
You might miss what use to be. Routines. Sights. Sounds. Familiar voices and touches. Smells. Little friends you played with. The taste of your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your nannies.
When you're 2 years old and living in your "forever home" for the first time. I think it's understandable that you might cry a little...
Alyzabeth had a better night. Not a good night. A better night. She had a tiring day from its very beginning since the night didn't come easy. And if Alyzabeth's nights do not come easy, well, let's just say that Mom's nights are even less restful and Peaceful.
We were able to keep everyone up for most the day (and no, not from crying :) Mom and Dad each grabbed separate naps as did Alyzabeth before we gathered ourselves up for a afternoon trip to the town park with Nana. Not so much to play but to help stay up and continue to make the switch back to our Eastern Time Zone.
The trip to the park also marked Alyzabeth's first time in a car seat. And while we are not recommending it, Alyzabeth's first ride was fairly subdued. In other words, she didn't throw a screaming fit being buckled in for what had to be a first.
So why no screaming fit? Well take a look at that face. The poor thing was too worn out and still recovering from an abbreviated nap. We had sat her in the seat previously without going anywhere just to give her an "idea" of how these things work. We'll see how quiet she is once she has a fully charged battery :)
And she also formerly met GC (gray cat) for the first time.
And before anyone calls the authorities.
No. We did not force Alyzabeth to sit buckled in a car seat on the ride home from the airport. After spending 30 plus hours in three different planes in worlds thousands of miles apart. We cut her some slack. And us.
Here's what we did. We duct taped Alyzabeth to her mom's chest and then used bungee cords to hold them both securely down in the back seat. Then for added safety, we took some rope and wrapped the truck with old discarded bed mattresses before pulling out on the road for the ride home. It did sort of have that "Beverly Hillbilly" look but at that time of night and living where we do, few noticed, fewer yet cared. We might could have done without the hay bales stuffed inside but live and learn...
peace
fm
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I Think It's Understandable
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18 comments:
Bless your hearts! The first few weeks home are truly the hardest.
I'm hoping the nights will become more peaceful SOON. (I doubt if this applies in your case...but, with our youngest, we had horrible sleep issues. By eleven months, she was CLIMBING over her crib rails and throwing herself onto the floor below. Horrified and honestly scared that my child would make a quadriplegic of herself with one of her many resounding thumps onto the floor, we switched her to a regular bed. INSTANTLY she quit fighting sleep. Only then did I realize that it was the CRIB BARS that were making her wig out. She had such an aversion to being "caged" that it triggered all sorts of anxiety issues with her when we would lay her down in her crib to sleep. We had weathered several months of needless frustration when the answer had been so simple...just let her sleep in a regular bed. Anyway, I relate that experience just to say that if the sleeping issues don't resolve once her little body has had a chance to adjust to the time difference, it might be worth trying some other simple solutions. Figuring out what makes our little ones tick is a puzzle.)
Oh may god bless all of you. It will get better. All of you are a perfect fit and were taylored made for each other. It will just take a little time to adjust. Try to get some rest ok.
Love, Kristy
Hi and welcome home! I totally agree with what Monica wrote. We brought our third child home from China in 11/06, dd Jordan, when she was 25 months old. We had removed the crib on day 2 and used a little white, low to the ground, toddler bed (Kmart). She still ad sleep issues, sometimes sleeping on the floor... (not unusual), but MUCH better than the crib with the bars. Also - too little is written about how everyone feels after coming home. Be easy on yourselves - the jet lag is usually extremely rough, and it can take a few weeks to feel like your old selves. -Lori
The first 2 weeks home are the hardest, give yourselves time to adjust. The jet lag sneaks up on you when you are least expecting it. I really think the kids have a harder time with it then the parents. The sleeping is a real issue that takes time to adjust itself. Sleep when she does and whenever else you can. She looks like she is doing well. She is beautiful and fits the two o you so perfectly...
I'm sorry. I certainly feel for you in the message and hope better sleep patterns come soon. Still, I am cracking up at the visual of the ride home from the airport!
I just wish you had taken a photo of that Beverly Hillbillies getup. (Joke, y'all - it was a joke. I realize Ford was kidding.)
Hang in there. It sounds like y'all are doing really, really well. And the photos of AA show lots of velcro baby, which is a wonderful thing. It's when they DON'T cling that the worries creep in.
Hugs to y'all.
Her life is so turned around right now. She will adjust, but it will definitely take time. I hope you all get some sleep soon. Sleep deprivation is the worst.
I hope you get some sleep soon.. but sounds like things are going well for only being home a few days..
I just love AA little smile.. she sure is openinig up.
Have a Great Week.
Love the vision of the hillbillie car!
Sorry to hear that nights are so rough. Praying for your little one as she adjusts to so many changes in her little life. It's wonderful to see and hear her smiles and giggles! So much fun with Daddy and Mommy!
duct tape also works to keep a kid in the bed (her own bed)LOL!
Maybe we should have tried the duct tape, now you tell me!
Hope your nights keep getting easier.
I love that smile and that laugh!! And to see her playing with Daddy is a wonderful sight, indeed.
So happy for all of you!!
Hope you get some sleep tonight!
Hoping ya'll get some sleep up there!
Laughed my tush off on that last paragraph!
;-) Duct tape is indeed all-purpose.
We had such a rough trip home, we didn't use the car seat either (she stayed in that ergo thing I carried her all over China in) in the way from the airport to our home!
Lizzy looks so happy. Ford, it's great to see her playing with you and trusting you so much that she falls backward into your lap! I remember the first few jetlagged days. We actually ventured out to the Animal Kingdom. Aly you look marvelous dahling and it's not how good you feel, it's how good you look!
Don is solo this week as I am back to work. On top of that I have to go to Atlanta on business for 4 days starting Saturday. Enjoy this bonding time together, it goes fast.
Love, Be
loved the Beverly Hillbillies! LOL! It is so awesome to see how well Alyzabeth has started bonding with her Daddy too! She is such a gorgeous little girl!
Man, wish I had thought of that one:) Sophie SCREAMED for 1 1/2 hours. Finally given it up 20 mins before arriving home and then stayed up another 4 hours. She did very well on the plane ride home considering some idiot got up while the selt belt sign was on and commenced to opening the over head compartment while letting all the bags fall out on top of her head. Bless her heart!!
I'm so glad you guys are doing well. Looks like Alyzabeth is really adjusting well too! There's no place like home.
We got 3 hours of sleep a night for the first four nights. And it was dreadful. It's amazing what sleep deprivation can do to you.
On the fifth night, she slept through, and has been a good sleeper ever since...so we consider ourselves very lucky. But those first five days seemed like a lifetime. I have not forgotten!
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