Loy Krathong

We have entered month 2 of custody of Norah, and things are really notching into normal life, well, I suppose I can say "new normal".  She is delightful, and is totally a Blackwell!  We attended Loy Krathong festival yesterday, where we met the other KC Thai families at Loose Park to release Krathongs into the pond, and light flying lanterns.  It was great to let Norah meet some other Thai children, and get a little Thai culture:)  Krathongs are floating decorations made out of banana leaves and flowers, and are sent afloat with candles and incense on them, giving thanks to water gods.  It also means that you are letting go of any negative feelings or judgements you've held onto over the last year, and releasing them.  Since we don't love a water god, we are saying "thank you to the God who MADE the water, and thank you for our daughter!!"  Our krathong was thrown together last min, and made of construction paper and cardboard!!  Guess who's krathong was least authentic in the group??  BINGO!  But hey, it was fun:)  It caught fire almost immediately, and was gone in 30 seconds!  Give me at least a year, until next Loy Krathong, and I'll have more energy to chop down a banana tree and do origami with it. 

Norah is learning all sorts of new things, and is comprehending an unbelievable amount of language!  She has learned NO, can you believe it!!?  Oh yes, it's the first word every child learns...  And her new favorite food is ketchup.  She loves it and when I point to snacks or a meal choice for her, she shakes her head no, until I point to the ketchup!  It's all she wants!  So I convinced her to at least dip it in crackers:)  Her comprehension of what we say is remarkable!  Just a month ago she only heard and understood Thai.  I can say, "Norah, go get your shoes", or "Norah give this toy to Sam" and she will do it!  And loads of other things too!  She wants to play tea party with her dolls daily.  Today we were playing with her hair bows, and she put one on her hello kitty doll, and laughed and laughed!  Pretty soon all her dolls were wearing her bows and having tea:)  My heart is so full with love for her.  She still loves loves her dad the most, and I am yet to get a kiss from her, but every day it feels like she connects a little bit more to me.  It feels great:)

One month!!

We have had custody of Norah for one month and 2 days.  Truly amazing how it feels like forever, but so short!  I can say with honest sincerity, that it has been amazing!  She has really taken to our family, and every day is easier!  She is totally in love with David, and is 100% daddy's girl:)  His heart melts for her, and he is loving every minute of it.  Of course, he can get nothing done, because she wants to be with him 24-7.  Her attachment to Sam has been terrific, and I would say to me is pretty good too.  We still are praying for a better friendship between her and Will, that has been a difficult relationship so far.  She seems to feel terribly threatened by him, and freaks when we show Will love and attention.  She lashes out at him often, and he is seeming to get the brunt of her aggression.  Sometimes they get on just fine, but she mostly has an offense toward him.  His personality is to bounce back and not be too bothered by her animosity, but he is feeling it.  Of course, Will is a silly fellow, and likes to joke and tease her, which does not help.  Ever.  So we are finding ourselves having to discipline Will quite often regarding Norah, and he is already feeling a little displaced in the family... it's been hard for everyone.  Please continue to pray for our little guy!  I am feeling for him.  We are all adjusting.  He is too, big time. 
When David is around, and Norah has the option of both parents, she is all over David, but when it's just her and I, she is great and has no problem.  I was reading in an adoption parenting book the other night (after many a melt downs...) at normal behavior and cues for trouble, and it gave a list of "signs your child is adjusting to the family", and she fit the bill for the whole list!  It was really encouraging to see that even after one month, she is feeling more comfy at home and with us. 

She has been sleeping SO much better!!  I think after adjusting fully to the time, we really turned a corner.  She has been sleeping in her own bed, and even got in on her own the other night!  She laid there, and I asked, "do you want to go to bed"?  She nodded yes, and let me change her out of her clothes, and get a bottle!  Down she went.  It was great.  She still is waking in the night, but no longer needing to be carried around the house.  Dave usually rocks her, sitting or lying down.  She settles now if we bring her in bed with us, so that's been most nights.  We are more rested, so more ready to take on the days. 

 

Halloween was really fun:)  James, Sarah, Sophie and Emma just arrived home from Wales that evening, so they met Norah, and we went trick-or treating together!  Norah LOVED it once she figured out what it was all about:)  Before we left, I had Norah dressed in a super cute Indian costume, but she would not keep in the braids.  She looked JUST like an Indian!  As you can see, her and Will got into a little mud puddle mischief, and that costume was ruined!!  (No, I was not watching my kids...)  So we changed to a pioneer:)  Candy went into a common bag and we all share it now, and 3 candy bags are significantly better and more than two!!:) 
I found myself crying today when a friend asked how it was going, and how the transition has been.  I was overcome with emotion at how grateful I am to have Norah.  She is so incredible and brave, and I admire her in so many ways!