Can you believe it has been OVER three months that we brought Major Cutie home? So much has changed with her. She seems to be attaching very well now and "acts" alot like her brothers and sister did at that "emotional" age. She is going to be 4 1/2 next month but seems more emotionally to be around the age of 3 years. She wants to be held alot more especially when we go into stores or are in new situations (though it only takes a few minutes for a person to bring her out of her shyness...her shyness is really just a game anyway! LOL!) We seem to be in a season where she cries injustice at any little bump or shove she gets from her siblings, me or the dog (her dad is at work most of the day). And most of these injustices will bring her to tears. So we are at a point of loving on her some times and ignoring at other times. We are also dealing alot with not telling the truth. And most of it is over very silly things. Last nite she told me her ears were yucky (one pierced ear is really infected) and when I asked if she had been touching her ears she said, "NO!" I then asked how she knew they were yucky (she is working on not touching them and making the infection worse) and she said that she could see them. Well she was standing at the computer table and I knew she couldn't see the back of her ears! So I asked if she were telling me the truth and she said, with teary eyes, yes. Well, I knew it was impossible for her to see the back of her ears while looking at the computer printer. So I asked how she saw them and she said like this and showed me by turning her head and making her eyes look to the right (smart isn't she!). So we had a long talk about mommy feeling sad when she lies. And she said, "Jesus sad too lies." And then not five minutes later she did it again! Same lie but now said she could see them in the patio door, the back of her ears!! So she lost her turn on the computer and was just heart broken. I explained to her that lies make others feel sad and they also make you feel sad inside. So the lies she is telling aren't "big"ones but they are lies just the same. This morning she lied a few more times. I am trying to come up with stratergies for dealing with this.(I don't want to write a post about all of Major Cutie's no no's but I do want to offer truth and reality to adoptive families of a somewhat older child. I pray that is what I am doing here.) Major Cutie is also talking alot about Ethiopia now. Almost on a daily basis. Many times this brings her to tears but not deep down tears, more like wimpers. I believe she is confusing her realities a bit. She is not sure what happened where anymore. Often times she tells me of things that happened here but claims it was in Ethiopia. I don't think she really knows anymore. It really breaks my heart. She has gone through so much in just four years.
This is the school that Major Cutie likes to do. You would probably be surprised how tiring this is for her. You can see how loose her grip is on the crayon. You can tell she had very little experience with fine motor opportunities. She has improved in this area so much already!
Another time I "did" her hair and made her wear this dress to church. The tights are the worse! Oh she hates those. And before you feel bad for her I gave away the other dozen dresses she had as hand-me-downs from her sister!! She only has two in her closet! We'll see if I take her shopping for a Christmas outfit if she'll find a dress she likes! Oh, and I can hear some of you now saying not all girls like dresses! I know, I know.
Oh little Miss Thing!
No matter how I turn it, I can't seem to shorten my ole' nose! I swear it always looks so huge in pictures! LOL! But I love this picture of Major Cutie hugging the breath right out me! She does say when she grows up she wants a big nose like mine!!! No, really she says that!
One of our last few nice days of the year here in Michigan!
Thanksgiving at my sisters. That's my nephew!
Hope your having a fun-loving week!
7 comments:
I love it! Aleena is such a riot. It's so funny how our list from HH is like yours. I read it now and say, "are you sure you're describing the right kid?" Happy 3 month anniversary and if only she was bigger, I'd say send the dresses our way. My 4 yr old LOVES dresses as much as Aleena hates them. :)
Hi! I don't remember if I left a comment on your blog before, but we're a Michigan family in the process of adopting from Ethiopia also, and I'm always looking for someone on the SE side of the state, since most of the people in our agency are in the Grand Rapids area. Feel free to send me an email if you want! karenandpatrick@comcast.net
ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS! Your family is gorgeous and so is your nose LOL... It's not big!
What a blessing. I love seeing her smile in those pictures... SHE IS A DOLL.
she is just sooo beautiful jen.....and by the way! I LOVE YOUR NOSE!!! :)
This post was really good to read, Jen. The reality of what you are dealing with and what she is going through is interesting. She IS so darn cute!! Thanks for the pictures!
(I see Karen found your blog! She's adopting through our agency and we've gotten together a few times with her)
Love the posts and the pics, Jen!!! I'm hoping that some day all of our HH kiddos can meet. What a sweet reunion that would be!! :) Enjoy this holiday season with your fam!
-Suzi
She looks like she's doing fantastic...I don't think the small lies are that abnormal...just sort of a childhood thing-yet still need to be nipped in the bud! I wouldn't worry too much...
Your Pal, Michele
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