Early February Update:
People often ask "how is Hana adjusting?"
Hana *has* ADJUSTED!! It is the rest of the family that's still *adjusting.* Meaning, Haley is a great big sister, but at times feels the urge to let the new baby know...that she is indeed, in charge. Ian is accepting, mostly. At times, however, when Hana decides she wants to explore his car collection...he has a fit. The thing is, when Haley 'explores' (i.e. takes over) his car collection...he's okay with it. Maybe Ian is trying to establish his "rank" as big brother. Mommy is now more relaxed now that the baby seems to be on a huge healthy upward swing. And Daddy...well, he was the most flexible, easily adjusted member of our family from day one.
"Honey, does it ever seem like she's not quite our child yet - since she just kinda showed up?"
His response: "See, to me, they *all* just sorta 'show-up'...so I feel exactly the same as when they placed the other two in my arms and proclaimed me the Daddy."
I've been in contact with some other families who adopted with us...and they are having some "adjustment issues," but mostly with children over 3. I can imagine...
Hana is doing very well. She is standing...just for a few seconds at a time, unsupported. She still eats like a champ. I think she has a "reserve stomach" or something, as much as she eats. I've switched her formula from soy to lactose-free dairy at the recommendation of the dietitian. The GI specialist supported my recommendation to order additional blood tests to evaluate nutritional status, lead exposure, etc (things that are not immediately necessary...but will be as time passes).
This month we had a party INTRODUCING the baby to friends and family in Orange County, CA. We also took a trip to the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex to visit friends there. Enjoy the pix of us at Ruth's Chris!! At the "Sip and See." On the airplane. And hanging out in the Metroplex!!
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What an incredible first year of life the baby has had!!
We celebrated her first birthday last weekend - and what fun she had!! We had a small, little party at home. Grandma and Grandpa came up from Orange County. We had cake. We had ice-cream. We had hats, candles, gifts, and goodie bags. All the bday essentials!!
Hana continues to thrive. She's standing for secords, unsupported. She even tries to take little steps...but chickens out and sits down. She seems to say "mama," "dada," and "dog," but it's not reproducible or consistent...so maybe not. She's eating everything. Her poops are solid and only once or twice daily. Whereas when we first met her her "life light" was dim and flickering...
...now, it can light up the night sky!!
What else can I say?
The family is doing great. It seems as though the "adjustment issues" have plateaued. Ian now considered Hana apart of the family, in that he actually includes her in his 'drawings' of our family picture. He is always sure to include her when he's assigning everyone a "type of car." (See, he's into hotwheels, and everyone in the family has a certain color, or style...that varies daily...and is determined by him). So it's a huge deal for him to "assign" her a type of car!!
I catch Haley playing "Mommy" with Hana...lecturing her and such. It's kinda funny to me becaue she's giving Hana the same lectures I give her. When I stand back and spy...I feel a sense of pride...like Haley is actually *listening* to (and learning from) me. But, I quickly catch myself because (obviously) Haley shouldn't be "playing the Mommy" with her sister.
One last thing until next time: After reading the book, There's No Me Without You, I find myself wondering...what was life like for Hana before she went to the orphanage? Was her mother healthy enough to nurse her? Did she hold her...or perhaps she realized she was sick, and didn't want to infect the baby, so she didn't hold her much? Were there other children (siblings) that maybe died before Hana was born...and when Hana failed to thrive by 3 months of age, did her parents realize she was going to die like the other(s) if they didn't do a different thing? Did her mother know she, herself, was dying, and did she request that the baby be given to an orphanage? What about the Uncle that reliquished her? Does he have his own family...or maybe he's keeping some older siblings, and just couldn't handle one more? I wonder what Hana remembers...of those early months, the transit from the satillite orphanage in Southern Region to the main Toukoul in Addis. Does she see a her mother's features when she looks at my face?
By the time she's old enough to tell me...she will have forgotten. But right now, I bet she remembers. And that amazes me. In her short one year...she has experienced so much. And probably KNOWS it!! But, is unable to share it.
Kinda makes me wish we had some USB wires that we could connect from her temporal lobes to our laptop...and watch the slide show of her life so far!!
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