We are anxiously counting down the days until we can return home. It's an interesting thing (most adoptive parents would echo this) that when you're here all you want to do is return home and when you're home, you long to be in Russia. It is so strange. I really cannot imagine longing for Russia right now. :( I miss our Russian friends...I miss all of those children we left in the orphanages...I wish we could inspire others to do more...but, no, I really don't miss Russia.
Yesterday was rainy and a high of 48. It was way too cool and wet to do much at all and it was our coordinator's "day off" so we didn't have many options. So, we sat around the apartment much of the day. We did take a walk later in the day which was really cold and windy. The boys were complaining. We ended our walk eating dinner at a cafe in our building. It was "ok"...about all I can say. Timmy showed rare form in being obnoxious. I think eating out will be a challenge for us. Gregg said, "Time for babysitters!" lol
So many of you are wondering how the boys are getting along. It has had its ups and downs. I am one to look at the bad instead of looking at what is good so this is a good blog post for me to spend the time writing.
Timmy has a lot more language than we thought he had. He has begun to walk up to us and just start spouting Russian like there is no tomorrow. We just smile at him. I don't think either of us have understood much he has said other than "yes" in Russian. This makes me feel very guilty. I feel a failure that I haven't made more of an effort to learn his language. On the other hand, he has begun to pick up what we are saying even though he is not speaking English. If I ask him to get his shoes and point, he gets them. If I ask him to give something to Benjamin, he does it. I know a lot of this is intonation and gestures, but it is working.
People have told me that since he actually speaks Russian, he will learn English that much easier. His brain has developed language skills so he will be able to process the new language that much easier. I hope so. With Benjamin we used a lot of signs. He was not speaking in either language. He did understand Russian somewhat but did not really say anything at all.
The boys have begun to experience sibling rivalry in the last 24 hours. They fight over who is going to hold my hand, who I should pick up, who gets to sit on my lap, who has the airplane, who has the police car, etc. Yesterday, Gregg and Benjamin went to the grocery story and Timmy was VERY upset that he did not get to go. He carried his shoes around the apartment with a sorrowful look. Poor thing! lol While they were gone, I gave him a few different books that I found had not been unpacked. When Benjamin returned, he did not want Benjamin to touch HIS books! He laid on top of the pile of toys so Benjamin could not get to them.
Benjamin is learning about sharing as well. He has never really had to do it since he came home. His older sisters don't generally fight with him over toys. They will occasionally say, "My Mommy" to him to get him riled up, but he has never had to share toys. :)
It is all a learning time for us. We have to begin to understand each other and develop a routine. Again, I feel like this will not really happen until we return home. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I feel like I will have more control over things in my own environment. I won't have breakable decorations that are hard to put away out in plane site. I will not have glass tables. You know the drill. Life is just so much easier at home.
I will be eternally indebted to my Aunt Linda and Uncle Ed who have been staying with Jaime and Tara while we have been gone. They have endured (and I think enjoyed) Homecoming weekend and are now immersed in the "marching band scene." Uncle Ed has spent his time figuring out what's wrong with our "junk cars." We have plenty! Most importantly, the girls are happy and glad to spend time with them. What a blessing.
We got all dressed this morning thinking we were going to the Russian Consulate with our coordinator and it turns out he only had to pick up passports and go for us. :( He said he will take us shopping later today. We may even ride the subway. That should be interesting! ha ha
Until next time...time's a ticking!
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