Week Two - A Dose of Patience and Regression

Week two was T's last week home before returning to work this coming Tuesday. It was a big week for K as she went to her first PT appointment for her legs. In general, she is very weak in her core and her lower legs. Her stance, out of weakness, has caused her not to use her calves at all when she walks. We are beginning with some exercises to help her strengthen those muscles and some supportive shoes to help bring her feet back in. We will be trying the shoes for a couple of weeks and if her feet don't start coming in, then we will probably have to go to orthopedic shoes. We have seen some regression on the potty training front. She has started to become resistant to using the potty and has a few accidents of the #1 type every day. She must be horrified by the thought of #2 in her pants as she is sure to let us know when she needs to do that! OH and we confirmed the visit of the unwelcome friend from the DRC in her poo (the local health dept was right on top of that and called min's later to grill T about our occupations etc). Gross liquid given and now poo is bright green!

There have been a lot of "yam-beees!" (hugs) in the house over the past week while to boys and K get to know eachother. K visited E2 at his daycare for a few hours later in the week and had a blast playing in the sand box with him and the other kids. She kept her eye out, every so often to make sure E2 was still there. Those two were born to be brother and sister I think. She talks about him like a million times a day in Lingala. All I hear is "blah blah blah...E2...blah blah blah...E2"! Play breakthrough when she initiated play with E2 and they both started jumping spontaneously on the couch and busting a move!

It has been a tough hair week. Was hoping for some outside help as I am really struggling with to get a cute style that works with the fact that she must have had a 3" diameter bald spot on the back of her head just a few months ago, so I am dealing with 3" hair in like a halo around her head and 1/4" long hair in the back. I am certainly no expert, and the various lengths have got me pulling my own hair out. I did cornrowed twists and left the back loose for the week in hopes that it might grow in a bit. Big day on Monday with our court date for her readoption, so a new style is in full swing as of this morning. Did beads in front and will be doing box braids tomorrow. DID YOU HEAR THAT WORLD?? I DID BEADS!!!! (and am happy to report that an hour later the beads are still in!)

My mommy sense is still lighting up with the indiscriminate affection she is showing to other women who are basically strangers. We have spend a lot of cuddling time and face to face time this week, but found myself having to step in with the PT when the amount of affection she was showing towards her felt inappropriate in my option, especially given that I was sitting right there.

We have had a few battles of will this week, but overall much progress has been made over last week. In general, we are over booked horribly. After talking with a few people, I think that might be leading towards some of the anxiety I am having. For now, no more restaurants or get togethers added to the schedule. We need to crawl into our cocoon for a bit and just get to know eachother. This coming week with really be the first time K and I will be spending along together so I am looking forward to some bonding, fun and challenges.

Picture is K letting out one of her first "high pitch" girl squeals. And yes, my ears were ringing afterwards like I had been at a rock concert.