Many of you have asked me how Emme is adjusting, how is she bonding with me, etc.. So, I thought now that we are celebrating two weeks home I would do an update on life as a family of six... Sorry, it's pretty long!!
The simple truth is that Emme is adjusting beautifully.. Honestly, much better than both our experiences bringing Ruby and Sienna home. Ruby was a terrible sleeper, and we had months (almost an entire year of sleepless nights with her.) Both Jeff and I were physically and emotionally exhausted after our trip to Sienna, so it took us months to catch up when we came home. Emme Jade has made re-entry easy. Thankfully, it didn't take long for all of us to get back on central time! It only took about four days to get her on a nighttime sleeping schedule. She sleeps through the night now! She naps in the afternoon which is a blessing for me to have time to catch up around here. I have not had a napper since Ruby was two!! Emme was on a very regimented schedule in Yangzhou, so my goal is to keep her on a consistent schedule here too. Emme is also a great eater, as you saw from her State Fair photos!!! But, besides food on a stick she likes everything! There are very few things we have put in front of her that she won't at least try... Even American breakfast foods like waffles and pancakes!! Sienna still prefers noodles over anything for any meal!!
How is the bonding going? I am happy to say, while Emme ADORES her Baba she is quite happy in her Mama's arms these days.. We bonded over food in China, and on that twelve hour flight from Tokyo to home! Plus I took over during the jetlag nights, which really helped! So while she is sad when the crew leaves in the morning, she loves being on my hip!! My little buddy and I had our first shopping excursion to Nordstroms yesterday for shoes! Since I never expected to have a toddler again, I gave away all of my shoes smaller than a 9. Let's just say Emme was quite happy with the experience! I think everyone in the children's shoe department fell in love with her!! She even attempted to carry out her shopping bags!! Did I mention she is my biggest helper around here. Her sisters could learn a few things from their Mei Mei!!
Sienna and Ruby? She loves her Jie Jie's... She calls them each Jie Jie.. Occasionally, she will yell for Ruby.. Which of course sounds adorable! They are doing really well with her.. They were very fascinated in the beginning... They wanted to do everything with me to help her.. Now, they have just accepted her as their little sister that is getting in their stuff.. Overall I think they have been very patient.. I saw some "ugly" behavior from both of them over the weekend. Thankfully, not directed at Emme.. Just at me! Hence, my relief that school has begun. They were ready, and the timing with Emme home was actually good... By the time they get home in the afternoon they are excited to see her, and play with her... Bath time is a crazy riot for the three of them.. It seriously should be videotaped at some point... I hear lots of laughs from Emme Jade coming from that tub!! Emme does not like when the girls are sad.. She quickly comes to their side to try to help. It is very sweet... I think God just knew we needed Emme Jade to balance us out!
The Dog? Well..... she is still not a big fan of our furry family member!!! However, we have made baby steps towards a friendship.. She started feeding treats to her over the weekend.. She does not give them to Piper, she throws them to her.. Then just two days ago she has taken over Piper's meals.. She will take 2 kernels of dog food at a time, and place them carefully on the floor for Piper to eat!! Poor Piper is so sweet and patient with her! Hopefully, by this time next week she will be petting her and loving her up!
Potty Training.... This is one thing Emme has decided to take under her control! She was completely potty trained when we met her in Nanjing.. Not so much anymore... unfortunately! We have definitely regressed here! But, it is honestly something that is not worth fretting over. When she is ready, she will be back in her cute little big girl undies!! The language barrier definitely makes this more difficult....
Photo Shoots... Well no big secret, I love to take pictures... We all saw those fabulous photos of Emme pre- adoption days in Yangzhou... She was a happy poser back then. Even in Nanjing, when Ainsley and I did our photo shoot with her at the lake... Well my little precious girl, has decided this is one more thing she can control.. My camera comes out she either looks the other way, looks down, or runs off... Of course, I am disappointed, but my guess is sooner than later she will be back modeling for me!! Thankfully, she's cute even when it's her backside!!
Language - Emme is definitely starting to understand more than she says in English.. She is learning words, and repeating them... She still chatters away in Chinese most of the time!
Brushing her Teeth - I am happy to report that we have mastered this... It took two new toothbrushes and toddler toothpaste that taste like berries... Also having a flash card with a photo of brushing her teeth helped a lot.. She now loves to do it!! She even understands me when I say the word in Chinese! I still have to laugh about her resistance in China!
I was hoping to start Emme in pre-school soon just two mornings a week.. Mostly to socialize her and help her with her language... She was going to school in Yangzhou twice a day! But, I am not sure it will happen until after Christmas. Even though she is happy and content here, I am not sure she is ready for the separation quite yet. Plus she can't be in diapers at our pre-school.. More time for Emme and I to have fun together!!
So overall, this adoption has gone so well!!!! We are so thankful to have her home where she has always belonged!!! She is greatly adored at our house!!! We will be seeing her Pediatrician and her Cardiologist September 6th and 14th. We are hopeful for good reports from both!
We are taking the "Little Emperess" to the cabin for Labor Day weekend.. I am pretty confident she is not going to be a fan of the life jacket!! More soon!
