Getting to Normal

Well, the last week has been a crazy travelling whirlwind that is starting to catch up with me!  We put poor Cole in the car on Monday and drove 4 hrs. down to Oregon to get the girls.  (As if 10 hrs. on a plane wasn't enough for him the day before!)  By the time we arrived we were really tired but very excited to reunite with the girls again.  It took Hadley about 5-10 minutes to recognize me again!  I sat down on the floor and while I was talking to Jon's Mom she finally came up and crawled on my lap like she had finally realized who I was.  Kailyn was really glad to see us again as well and to finally meet her new brother.  My Mom, brother Jake and sister Kylie all came over to Jon's parents' house to meet Cole along with Jon's Aunt Jane.  Cole was excited to meet everyone and was generous with the hugs even though I don't think he fully understood who everyone was!  As the night went on, and exhaustion set in, things got a bit rough.  I think this was an emotional day for Kailyn and it was hard for her to share the limelight with her new brother.  Needless to say, the first night back was a tough one but things have been slowly getting better.  Tuesday we celebrated Hadley's first birthday with the family!  It wasn't easy trying to put this all together at the last minute either, but it all went off without a hitch...I mean how hard can it be to satisfy a one year old?  Stick her in the highchair with her own cake and she's a happy kiddo!!!  It was a good time and we had fun watching Hadley licking her own little cake.  I think Cole really enjoyed getting to spend time with everyone too.  (Thank-you so much Ruthie for having the party for us at your house - it was wonderful!)  Wednesday morning we all drove back home with our cars filled with cribs and other supplies.  My Mom drove up with us too and agreed to stay a couple of days to help us out.  (Thanks so much Mom-You're the best!)  Now we have been home (at our house) for four days and we are trying to get back to normal and establish a routine.  The first week we spent with Cole in Ukraine he had a lot of attention and I think he is realizing he will now have to share that attention with Kailyn and Hadley.  He has slowly started coming out of his shell and has started complaining and pouting...like any other normal 6 year old.  At first he would scarf down anything we fed him practically choking the whole time.  Now he has started complaining that he doesn't like some of the food we have been feeding him.  We just ask that he tries it, if he doesn't like it then fine, we won't make it for him again.  At dinner last night we slaved to make fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn...etc. and he looked at it and didn't even want to try it.  Once we made him try it though, he ate it all.  We've also established that he does not like Pizza...it's like a bad word in our house!  So this has been a little bit of a battle...(I can't imagine my cooking is worse eating at the orphanage!)  Anyway, he has also had some minor little fights with Kailyn as well.  I suppose it's just a kid being a kid!  We are just establishing the rules (for him and Kailyn both!)  Overall though, they are playing together nicely.  I even found Kailyn giving him a make-over the other night!  (This was a moment I wish I'd had on video!)  She even managed to get a little eyeshadow on him!  Haha!  He also got the Tennis racket and balls he'd been asking about.  I think he really has the patience, drive and athletic ability to be really good at a sport!  He likes both Tennis and Soccer.  We'll have to see where his desire and talent lies.  I'm glad he's so athletic.  I think both Kailyn and Hadley are the more musical, dancing, artistic types.  Cole has already learned to count to about 10 and is starting to say things in English...Please, Thank-you, that type of stuff.  I am really impressed with how smart he is and how quickly he learns.  He really has the desire to learn and enjoys the praise when he does something well.  He has also been getting up every morning and making his bed and keeping his room clean.  I am proud of him!  I can't imagine what he is thinking in his own little mind having been through so much in his short 6 yrs. of life.  He is a good boy and I think he will be a very happy part of our family.  This is just a big adjustment for all of us.  I have been feeling very exhausted and have had little time to rest.  Today was my breaking point and my body just couldn't get out of bed.  I slept in until 8:00 am.  Then I returned to bed from about 11:00 until 1:00pm.  My legs feel like I have run a marathon...I'm just getting run down I guess.  I plan on just taking it easy over the next few days and hanging out around at home.  Next Friday is Cole's birthday.  We've marked it on the calendar and he's counting down the days!  We are just planning on a quiet little birthday party at home.  Jon bought a big pool from Costco, so if the weather cooperates maybe we'll be able to set that up and take a dip!   Anyway...thanks for all the support from everyone!  Especially our parents for taking care of the girls!!!  (We know it's a tough job!)  We wouldn't have been able to do all of this with out all the help from our friends and family.  We love you guys! 

Summer