Friday, August 14, 2009

The Kid Rules

We met 10 weeks ago this Monday. 

The first 8 weeks together were pretty hard. I was flabbergasted by her, and she by me. We had good times but no rhythm. She was off, I was off—though everyone kept saying we were doing great, which somehow made it a lonelier experience. Didn't feel great. Didn't feel bad or wrong. Just felt overwhelming and very, very new.

Time did its thing. My girl now sleeps from 7 to 6:40. She has started babbling little stories to her stuffed bunny and cat and bear and puppy and pig. She loves shoes—her sandals, Mama's sandals, Daddy's sneakers. She wants all of them on her feet. She loves blueberries! She loves a good pratfall! She loves jumping off the side of the pool into her Daddy's arms! My girl laughs like you wouldn't believe. I dare say she's funny too. She doesn't walk; she scampers. When we are at a friend's house she plays and plays but checks in every 10 minutes or so with me. She does this by scampering over and flouncing down on my legs with a giggle and then—my heart!— gives me a big baby bear hug. 

I like her, I love her.



14 comments:

rebekah said...

So glad to hear from you and that you're through the rough stuff!

I promise that a year from now you'll barely remember how hard it was. It just gets better and better.

Evelyn said...

So much sweetness! Time is wonderful - I loved reading the change it has made. I saw this video already on fb and I love it every time. Pure joy :)

Christine said...

Oh, I love that belly!! She is just adorable and I would also call that a 'scamper.' Tulip is still beautiful, more beautiful with Ava in the picture. I'm glad you are making it through the rough patches. Isn't becoming a mother the strangest beautiful surreal thing?

Christine

Gretchen said...

That belly is delicious. Absolutely delicious.

Thank you for sharing your words....

Claudia said...

You're right - she DOES scamper! Adorable :)

Stacie said...

It's hard at first! I wish more people felt comfortable being honest about that (and I'm so happy you are!) because that would help to ease that loneliness at the beginning. And, "rhythm" is the perfect word. I remember when we found ours (although I think it took 3 months :) and I finally let my breath out in a long, slow sigh.

Ava is adorable!

Tracy said...

What a brilliant and touching post, and a super fun baby!

Erica said...

So glad to see you are doing well. She is just the sweetest! Love the video!

Julia said...

OY! I managed to post something. Now it's your turn again.

filoli said...

Beyonce was pretty damn amazing at VMAs...your girl did good. (Is it wrong that I have a secret love of Kanye for keeping all events substantially more interesting? He is like the crazy uncle that you have no idea what he is going to say, but you know you will be mortified. Plus, the tweetorts (tweet retorts) were so painfully lame in response that the whole thing became even more amusing to me. At least in Kanye's mad fits there is spunk and novelty, the responses (except for the lovely Beyonce) were unimaginative and painful...like eating cardboard, "she is so nice...your an a@!, blah, blah, blah, make fun of your hair, blah.)

My apologies to the divine Miss. Ava for commenting about pop culture on your adoption blog...but when you are just a wee bit older, you will understand and this will be hilarious to you too.

a world invented said...

hi!!! hope you guys had a wonderful trip!
congratulations!
we received our referral on the 15th for a 2 month old and would love to see any pics you might have snapped of her in the infant room. please email me at:
hannamarie@vangrowstudio.com
if you get a chance.
thank you!!!
http://ourbluebirdhouse.vangrowstudio.com

Gretchen said...

Missing you!

Christine said...

Hmph. Been wondering about you all.

Damama T said...

How blessed you are to have her at such an early age. MG's (My Girl! LOL!) life would have been so much less painful if she hadn't spent the first 11 years of it in hell.