Yes, we are alive.

I know, I know it has been an eternity since my last post.  Not to worry, we are all alive and well.  Life with six kids is proving to be a bit more hectic than I imagined.  I know, you're thinking, "Did you think it wouldn't be crazy with 6 kids?", but actually I kind of did.  At least not so much crazier than it was with 5 kids.  To be honest, Faith (who is chosing to be called Vishakha today - she switches back and forth), has a lot more needs than we anticipated.  None of them are particularly serious, but all of them together can be a bit overwhelming at times.  I'm starting to get used to our new pace of life, but it has been an adjustment. 

The kids are anxiously anticipating summer at this point.  This spring weather seems to be about a month ahead of normal.  It's been great for the kids to be able to play outside, but they are already wanting to be done with school with 2 more months to go. 

Faith has made so much progress with her language development.  It is truely amazing how fast she has learned so much.  She has been going to Kindergarten full time for the past several months, and she's adjusted great.  She's learning quickly, but we decided it would be best for her to repeat Kindergarten next year.  We could not be more pleased with her physical development.  She is now actively using her right hand and her gait is near normal with her orthotics on.  We are now noticing that she has some sensory processing issues, so now we are learning to help her with that.

I promise to post again soon, and I'll be sure to add some photos next time.

The Wonder of the Season

Christmas has pretty much always been my favorite time of the year.  But this year is especially great.  Faith is so full of wonder and excitement about Christmas, or "Christmas tree" as she calls it. (Christmas is always followed by the word tree)

Growing up in India, she was aware of Christmas.  They even had Santa come and give gifts to the children at the orphanage.  However, as I'm sure you can imagine, she has never experienced anything like Christmas in America.  All the lights, the decorations, the music, the decadence of the whole holiday season are completely new to her.  She is so wide-eyed and full of anticipation.  I'm sure the pile of gifts for her under the tree don't hurt that any. 

Most of all, I love that we get to share the real meaning and joy of Christmas with her for the first time.  We get to share with her that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus birth, the day God sent his only son into this world as a tiny baby to save us all from ourselves.  The reason we all celebrate and give gifts to our loved ones this time of the year is because we remember that on the very first Christmas, God gave us the most precious gift of all.  Not because we were on His list of good boys and girls, but because He loves us even though we often choose naughty over nice.

Does Faith understand all of this?  Not really.  She's very captured by Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and candy, candy, candy.  But she is listening and taking it all in.  She does understand that we're celebrating Jesus Birthday.  I hope that someday she will come to understand the true meaning of Christmas, and celebrate out of joy for the birth of our savior. 

N. Korean Refugee Adoption Act

I don't usually copy posts from other blogs, but this video merits being passed along.  I had no idea this bill even existed, but I think it is a very important one.

I often think about the children of North Korea, since my own daughter was born less than an hour from the border.  I sometimes wonder what her life would have been like had she been born there instead of in Seoul.  Would she even have survived her first 24 hours? 

There is hope for some orphan children who have fled N. Korea.  They are currently living as refugees in other nations.  Although they are free, they struggle to survive, and they live in fear of being sent back.  There is a bill in congress that would make it possible for these children to be adopted by American citizens.  Please watch the following video and take action if you feel moved to do so, and pass it on.

First Week of School

Faith started Kindergarten this Tuesday, Nov 1st.  We had originally planned to start her after Christmas break, but she's been begging to go to school since 2 weeks after she came home.  I finally caved in and took her last week for a Kindergarten screening, and she did really well.  So well that we decided to start her in school right away.  Although the district has full day kindergarten classes, Faith is allowed to only attend half days to start until we're comfortable with full days.  This will still allow us with plenty of time in the afternoons to bond while giving her the opportunity to go to school and make some new friends. 

The first day, I took Faith in early to meet her teacher before the other kids started filing in.  She did really well until it was time for me to go, then she got nervous and started to cry a bit.  Another teacher escorted me out, and I'm told Faith was just fine after a few minutes.  Eliza and I had lunch with her at the school before we went home that day, and she was all smiles.  She was pointing out all her new friends at the lunch table.  "This my friend, and this my friend, and this my friend..."  Then one little girl sitting near us piped up "I'm your friend too.  Remember I helped you.".  It was so sweet.  I'm so happy she's making friends, and all the other kids seem to be very eager to help her fit in.

The next day, I took her to school at the regular time, and she lined up with her classmates who were waiting to go to class.  She just gave me a hug and said "Bye, Mom", then turned to talk to one of her new friends.  No tears, just smiles.

Yesterday, I just dropped her and her brother off at the carpool lane.  They both hopped out, and I barely got a wave before she was off and running toward the school.  Sigh.  This is definitely harder on me than it is her.

Today there was no school, and she was kinda disappointed.  She's doing so much better than I could have imagined.  I'm so glad she had a great first week, and I hope she continues to love her teacher and her new friends.

I love you

Seven weeks, One day...the amount of time between meeting Faith and getting to hear those three little words from her for the first time.  Today we were just sitting at home, when she crawled up in my lap and whispered "I love you" to me.  I was totally caught by surprise, and I actually asked her "did you just say 'I love you?'".  To which she replied "yes!", and gave me a huge hug.  Yay!  I love you too, precious daughter.

Indian Princesses

My 2 gorgeous girls in the beautiful dresses we got for them in India.  I love playing dress up. 

Miss Faith really likes to strike a pose

Look!  Look!  They're holding hands!

Sisters

At last the girls are getting along.  They are playing together.  They are sharing toys and me (sometimes).  I think they're even starting to like each other.  The other night when I was putting Eliza to bed, she actually whispered to me, "Mommy, I love my sister." Good thing it was dark, so she couldn't see my tears of joy.

Adjusting at home

Faith is continuing to adjust well to her new family. She is such a sweet, happy child. She's very outgoing, very opinionated,very affectionate, and very vocal (but you gotta be loud to be heard in my house). Sure she has some moments of frustration or sadness, but they are fewer and fewer every day. 
Faith and Eliza are still having some sibling rivalry issues, but I'd say they are now at an almost normal sibling level. No more clawing at each other for Mommy's attention. They are even playing together and sharing (sometimes). I think they fight over toys more now than they do me, so that is a huge improvement.

I have been able to get away a few times to go to the store or to work for a few hours, which has been really great for my sanity. I think is has been good for Faith too, as she seems to be starting to understand that we always come home.

We also celebrated Eliza's 3rd Birthday in the past few weeks.  I can't believe my baby girl is 3 already.  She loves playing dress up rather it is princess dresses or a knight with a sword.  Her favorite movie is Tangled. She prefers Diego over Dora.  She thinks the Power Rangers are awesome (me, not so much- thanks brothers).  Oh, and she is a climbing machine.  I may have to get this girl in a gymnastics class.

 Eliza getting a collection of princess dresses for her 3rd birthday. 

 Faith, Ian, Eliza, and Isaac

Faith playing princess with Eliza (who refused to be photgraphed in her princess dress)

Mommy and Daddy and Eliza (photo taken by Faith - she's really proud of this one)

One Week Home

We have been home for 7 days now,and things are going pretty well.  Jet lag is hitting us hard, as our sweet daughter is waking at 3am every morning ready for breakfast.  The house is a mess, laundry is way behind, and we're tired, but we are surviving this transition. 

We have officially decided to name our newest princess Faith Vishakha Bledsoe.  We've been calling her by both names since we've been home, and she is now responding to both names.

Today we had our first doctor visit, and it went well.  She only had to get one shot, so that was better than expected.  We did have to go to the lab for a few tests, but nothing terrible.  Next we go to the children's physical therapy specialist to determine what kinds of therapies and orthotics she needs.

Faith has taken to our home, the boys, and the extended family very well.  Eliza is another story.  Both girls have decided they want to be mommy's one and only princess.  We spent a good part of our first few days with the girls sitting on my lap clawing at each other and screaming "My Mommy!".  We are making progress, but slowly.  I don't think they are going to be besties any time soon, but maybe someday.  They are at least tolerating each other for the most part the past two days.

Faith has been good to try new foods, but hasn't liked much of what she's tried.  She does like peanut butter, pancakes, fish sticks and whole grain bread with butter.  She would eat a whole bunch of bananas in one sitting if we let her.  She has quite the sweet tooth, and asks for ice cream and chocolate frequently.  I have attempted to make some of the recipes that she ate at BSSK, but she has not been at all interested in eating them so far. 

She loves the TV, like most kids, and we have admittedly been letting the cartoons babysit more than usual in our exhausted state.  She really enjoys Dora the Explorer and the Power Rangers.  Seems like a strange combination to me, but that's what she likes.

Here is Faith playing with her new brothers.  What a happy bunch.  Sorry no photos of her and Eliza screaming at each other.  I think those are memories I'd rather not save.  Hopefully happy sister pics will follow soon.

India Day 10

Today was our last day in India.  In a few hours we will be headed for the airport for our long journey home. While we have enjoyed our time in India, we are very eager to be home and see the rest of our family.

There are a few things I will miss about India, and a few things I will not miss.  I will miss the delicious food, mango ice cream, being able to travel across town for a dollar, the very kind people and the beautifully intricate architecture.  I will not be missing the unsafe drinking water, the sometimes frightening bathrooms (using a squat toilet on a moving train is not so much fun), and haggling over the price of everything.

The children of BSSK have a special place in my heart.  I will carry their smiles and laughter with me always.  I am so grateful that Vishakha was able to live in such a loving environment while she waited for a family.

Here are a few more photos from our time in Agra, and some from today.  USA here we come.

Taj Mahal from Agra Fort

At Agra Fort

At Fatepur Sikri

 At India Gate