Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I can't believe how fast time has flown by! We have been back home for just over a month now, and I still sometimes find it hard to believe that Katie is mine forever. I find myself going into her room, while she is sleeping, and just watching her. She finds some of the most unusual sleeping positions! I want to take pictures of some of them, but am worried that the flash would wake her up. I may just go ahead and risk it this weekend.
Since our return, things have been moving in a whirlwind. We got home on Saturday and immediately began the introductions of the dogs to Katie and Katie to the dogs. I must say that things went better than I had anticipated. Katie's eyes went to saucer status when she first saw Abby and Butter. Either Cindy or I held her while the dogs came over to see the three of us. Abby and Butter both sniffed and licked us all. Katie wasn't sure what to make of that, so Cindy and I just started laughing. Soon, Katie was laughing, too! After a little bit, we put Katie on the floor. The dogs liked that, but Katie wasn't such a huge fan of that. I can't completely blame her as both dogs are more than four times Katie's size! But we just laughed some more, let the dogs sniff and lick some more, and then retrieved Katie from the floor and encouraged her to explore the dogs. She got to pet them, and grab their tails, and so on. We wanted to start out as we meant to go with the dogs and Katie. This has worked for us as now Katie can step on and crawl over either dog without either dog protesting too much. Abby has hip issues, so we do try to minimize the Katie onslaught there, but otherwise, they all get along pretty well. The only problem is that they all like the same toys! Katie has this stuffed mouse (that came with an elephant toy) and Katie loves to have that mouse dangling from Katie's mouth by one of the mouse's ears. However, Abby and especially Butter, also like that darn mouse. The advantage of this shared liking is that Katie has well and truly gotten used to having Butter in her face. Katie has learned that when Butter comes toward her, she will either get licked or she has to duck down and put a hand out to keep Butter at bay. It is so cute to see that. Butter still occasionally knocks Katie over, but it is not a deliberate act. And Katie, while toddling around, will go and grab hold of Butter's fur. Abby, being the older dog that she is, is quite content to lay around, especially on the couch and out of Katie's way. However, Katie will go over to the couch and start exploring Abby's paws, nose, ears, and eyes. We draw the line at the eyes, and stop Katie from really getting into either dogs' eyes. Bottome line: Katie and the girls have certainly bonded!
After everyone got to meet each other on that first day, we had a brief opportunity to rest before heading out to Corey's birthday party. Katie was her usual trooper, and was a hit at the party. The kids loved to play with her, and she had a great time playing with them. I must admit that I was completely worn out! So was Cindy! It had been such a long journey home. So, then we headed home. We weren't certain how sleeping at home was going to go. However, we figured that once again we should start as we meant to go. Therefore, Katie slept in her crib for the first time. I had thought about sleeping in the room with her, but instead stayed in my room. And Cindy was in her own room. Katie fell right asleep and slept through til morning.
Thinking back to those first few days at home makes me realize just how much Katie has changed. Mom was the first to point out how different Katie looks in her pictures now as compared to pictures from our first visits with her at the baby home. Katie's eyes just shine now. Before, they were rather dull. That was one of the things that worried me when we first met her: she didn't have any sparkle. It was only during our play time with Katie at the baby home that we saw an indication of the little spirit that lay buried within. Katie would imitate some of the play that we did, and did engage us some. That was my saving grace! Since those first visits, she now actively explores her entire environment, initiates games, and will just break out with a smile and laugh! What a difference. Again, because the change has been gradual over the past month and a half, I didn't necessarily notice it. But I noticed it big time at the zoo on Saturday. We had taken Katie there during the first two weeks we were home, but she just didn't get too much into it. However, on Saturday, she actually watched the animals! What a wonderful time we had. We rode the carosel a few times, too. Now, we can't wait to go back! Gotta get there again while it is still relatively cool. I don't think we will have too much trouble doing that!
More to follow (and hopefully pictures tomorrow).
Christy
Katie has now been walking independently for a week and a half.
I can't believe how fast time has flown by! We have been back home for just over a month now, and I still sometimes find it hard to believe that Katie is mine forever. I find myself going into her room, while she is sleeping, and just watching her. She finds some of the most unusual sleeping positions! I want to take pictures of some of them, but am worried that the flash would wake her up. I may just go ahead and risk it this weekend.
Since our return, things have been moving in a whirlwind. We got home on Saturday and immediately began the introductions of the dogs to Katie and Katie to the dogs. I must say that things went better than I had anticipated. Katie's eyes went to saucer status when she first saw Abby and Butter. Either Cindy or I held her while the dogs came over to see the three of us. Abby and Butter both sniffed and licked us all. Katie wasn't sure what to make of that, so Cindy and I just started laughing. Soon, Katie was laughing, too! After a little bit, we put Katie on the floor. The dogs liked that, but Katie wasn't such a huge fan of that. I can't completely blame her as both dogs are more than four times Katie's size! But we just laughed some more, let the dogs sniff and lick some more, and then retrieved Katie from the floor and encouraged her to explore the dogs. She got to pet them, and grab their tails, and so on. We wanted to start out as we meant to go with the dogs and Katie. This has worked for us as now Katie can step on and crawl over either dog without either dog protesting too much. Abby has hip issues, so we do try to minimize the Katie onslaught there, but otherwise, they all get along pretty well. The only problem is that they all like the same toys! Katie has this stuffed mouse (that came with an elephant toy) and Katie loves to have that mouse dangling from Katie's mouth by one of the mouse's ears. However, Abby and especially Butter, also like that darn mouse. The advantage of this shared liking is that Katie has well and truly gotten used to having Butter in her face. Katie has learned that when Butter comes toward her, she will either get licked or she has to duck down and put a hand out to keep Butter at bay. It is so cute to see that. Butter still occasionally knocks Katie over, but it is not a deliberate act. And Katie, while toddling around, will go and grab hold of Butter's fur. Abby, being the older dog that she is, is quite content to lay around, especially on the couch and out of Katie's way. However, Katie will go over to the couch and start exploring Abby's paws, nose, ears, and eyes. We draw the line at the eyes, and stop Katie from really getting into either dogs' eyes. Bottome line: Katie and the girls have certainly bonded!
After everyone got to meet each other on that first day, we had a brief opportunity to rest before heading out to Corey's birthday party. Katie was her usual trooper, and was a hit at the party. The kids loved to play with her, and she had a great time playing with them. I must admit that I was completely worn out! So was Cindy! It had been such a long journey home. So, then we headed home. We weren't certain how sleeping at home was going to go. However, we figured that once again we should start as we meant to go. Therefore, Katie slept in her crib for the first time. I had thought about sleeping in the room with her, but instead stayed in my room. And Cindy was in her own room. Katie fell right asleep and slept through til morning.
Thinking back to those first few days at home makes me realize just how much Katie has changed. Mom was the first to point out how different Katie looks in her pictures now as compared to pictures from our first visits with her at the baby home. Katie's eyes just shine now. Before, they were rather dull. That was one of the things that worried me when we first met her: she didn't have any sparkle. It was only during our play time with Katie at the baby home that we saw an indication of the little spirit that lay buried within. Katie would imitate some of the play that we did, and did engage us some. That was my saving grace! Since those first visits, she now actively explores her entire environment, initiates games, and will just break out with a smile and laugh! What a difference. Again, because the change has been gradual over the past month and a half, I didn't necessarily notice it. But I noticed it big time at the zoo on Saturday. We had taken Katie there during the first two weeks we were home, but she just didn't get too much into it. However, on Saturday, she actually watched the animals! What a wonderful time we had. We rode the carosel a few times, too. Now, we can't wait to go back! Gotta get there again while it is still relatively cool. I don't think we will have too much trouble doing that!
More to follow (and hopefully pictures tomorrow).
Christy
Katie has now been walking independently for a week and a half.
posted by Christy @ 7:08 AM
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