Whew! We have a toddler folks!

I've forgotten what it's like to have a toddler around the house again. Thank goodness I have the boys to help out! They are great at entertaining him for a few moments while I make breakfast... etc.

So much to write about I don't know where to begin. First, if she's reading. a big ol' thanks to Becky! (I know you've been swamped at work and with Christmas). I just went back to read your blog from your time in Russia, and it was encouraging to read that you struggled with much of the same stuff. I'm sure many others posted about this too, but I hit her blog first. :-)

Boy o' Boy is our little guy a toddler! He can be happy as a clam and then soooo not happy in the span of a moment. When he doesn't get his way.... look out. The tears will come and the frown. My older guys are getting used to it, but it's taken a bit. They don't recall having been that way themselves, naturally! One thing he loves to do is put on mama slippers and walk around the apartment. I've been working on him saying "Mama", but it isn't coming yet. Though today he said it, just not to me. He thought it would be grand to be picked up in my lap and yell out the window (it was closed) as loud as he could "MAMA!". lol! I kept saying Mama isn't out there... she's right here. But that didn't seem to matter. He just giggled the whole time thinking it was the funniest thing. Funny for him maybe! LOL!

Food
He loves milk, loves bread.... and loves any sweet fruit. Right now his favorite food is breakfast, and he chows that down without a problem. So much so, that I think he is not as interested in lunch. I haven't found a lunch or dinner that he particularly cares for, other than the Gerber graduates microwaveable dinner...but I am rationing those as I only brought 4 with me. We've tried a Gerber graduates type of baby food to mixed reviews. we've tried cheese, totally dislikes it. We've tried plain pasta (not very interested). So, tonight we might try some pizza. (I'll be sure to bring along lots of cheerios and snacks) I can see that yogurt shakes with veggies snuck in there will be the way I get his nutrients in at home. I had to do that with my boys at this age too.

Sleep/Nap
Getting this little one down is the hardest part of the day. He just doesn't want to sleep, because he might be missing something. i literally have to lay down with him. I feel so bad as he self soothes himself by sucking on his finger. I know this is typical of orphanage behavior, similar to rocking. The one thing that is helping is laying next to him or rubbing his back if he will let me put him in the crib.... and then singing to him. My song of choice is edelweiss from the Sound of Music. Works like a charm. I wish I had it on video, because it reminds me of the scene in Mary Poppins with her singing to the two children. Hmmm, I may have to try that song next. However, once he is down, he sleeps so well. About 9-10 hours straight through the night. That helps all of us and everyone wakes up happy!

Meltdowns
They typically come when he doesn't get his way. We have not ventured out of the apartment yet, so we are keeping him from being over stimulated. We'll see how he does in the next couple of days as we venture out. His meltdowns typically occur at bedtime and naptime. He listens pretty well for the most part. Right now he is in his crib, and is actually not crying! He napped for only 45 minutes and I think he is still tired. The fact that he is in his crib and is okay with that is definitely progress.

Bathtime
Oh the boy just loves his little bath! I introduced him to cups and he just loved to stay in there picking up water and dumping it out. He would splash and mimic washing himself like mama washed him. He could have stayed in there all night, except that his little lips would have turned blue! I warmed him right up though! I know he is looking forward to his next bath, and I am too just for the tactile stimulation alone. It's something he has probably never done (play in a bath with water) and so everything is a learning and developmental experience.

Baby stuff
For the most part when he finds something small on the floor he brings it to me. Paper, string, whatever. I was just thinking today that I don't have to worry about him putting things in his mouth, and then he proved me wrong. He tried to eat/taste the smallest maestraka doll. The whole thing went in his mouth and I caught it. Thankfully! That was the end of the Maestraka dolls, and they got put up out of the way....I guess if he wants to play with them (and they are great for sizing etc) we'll take the littlest one out.

I'll leave you with a photo of our little guy sound asleep. He looks so peaceful...you wouldn't believe the tears that preceded this photo! lol!