Well we had a fun trip to Nashville with Jailyn and Friends. She traveled well and enjoyed her quality time with mommy and daddy. The Opryland Hotel was just what we needed and that place is amazing. She liked the Shrek and Friends characters and had fun with Cameron and Payton our friends kids. We have been busy and never a dull moment. They broke ground on our new home August 27 and we are picking brick, shingles, fixtures, appliances....Super busy trying to fit all the decisions into our busy lives. We have been making the big girl bed transition now for 7 weeks. Jailyn has been challenging and fighting sleep. We believe the beginning of the realization she lost her foster mom has finally caught up with her, they call it adoption anniversary grief and to go through separation anxiety is normal for an 18 month old and we are a bit behind in that department only having her 15 months and being 26 months old. She is grieving and so wants to be held by mommy and does not have issues leaving me or me leaving her it is at night time and during the day she just wants me to "hold j'you, hold j'you". The fear of ever losing her caregiver now me her mommy is so heightened now. It breaks my heart but all a part of the abandonment grief cycle she must process and does not fully consciously knowing what is happening. We battle going to sleep and shutting down as she seems to be on high alert which is normal for little girls coming out of China with never knowing what is next and wants to control her environment. Heck, she may be over attached with everything we do for her. However the terrific twos are hard for her and being told no and not listening and wanting her way. Totally normal at this age. I have reached out to a therapist to help with the recent grief cycle and will be talking to her in the coming weeks. On top of it all those big ole 2 yr molars have started to cut thru her bottom gums and the dentist said it would be tough and she has been crying at night. Understand that completely. On the positive note Jailyn is talking in complete sentences and takes it all in and is so smart. Her little personality is so sweet and she is such a joy and melts our hearts daily. So blessed with a happy, healthy thriving little girl who wears her mommy and daddy out. Feel so honored we are her parents.
This week is our first week on our complete new schedule finally and I feel a calm and productive fall is in store for us. The summer just took me by surprise with all the challenges and craziness that happened and have just been exhausted. We love the new shcedule. She loves gymnastics at Cincinnati Gymnastics and loves Gymboree still and loves being back with Colleen two days a week. I am able to work a bit more and Mike and I have our dates planned which is so needed as Jailyn not sleeping has taken it's toll. I am getting more rest and maintaining my wt and able to still workout with my trainer 2 days with Jailyn with me.
We love fall and can't wait for all the pumpkin festivals and fun coming. Jailyn is going to be Minnie Mouse for Halloween and just got a cute costume from the Disney Store. For Mom and Dad's b-days Jailyn had her pictures with Paw, Paw and Grandma and I will post a few of those on the blog.
Hanging in there as it will be Christmas before we know it and so many wonderful experiences to come. Scott will be home for Christmas with his girlfriend and Katie and Billy will be parents in February and will hopefully find out in two weeks if it is a boy or girl. Mike is having shoulder surgery in late November so it will be an interesting holiday full of fun and memories.
Thanks for following our lives and so blessed to share it with YOU! Today is our 15 month anniversary of our Gotcha Day! Wow time is flying by.....and the best is truly yet to come.
Love,
Linette
