Warming up (slowly)

We are seeing small improvements in Jade's transition to her baby brother. It is funny I thought the big transition would be more difficult for him not her. He seems to be doing well and is on a good schedule (Jade has never been one much for those so it is kind of nice) He is sleeping through the night which is WONDERFUL. I have to admit lack of sleep is the worst. I just get so cranky without sleep. Jade only has recently started to sleep through the night and now is back to not doing it again but usually only gets up briefly. I lay with her each night and then go back into my room when she is asleep. Now she will burst into my room all anxiety ridden and sometimes wakes Liam up so I have left our doors wide open so she at least doesn't bang those. Then I am usually back in her room. I know that this is when she will display her anxiety about the transition the most so I am trying to be flexible. Tantrums have also increased but then again she is three. But today especially she has been showing more concern and tolerance for him instead of avoidance and annoyance. She wanted to feed him his bottle so I let her hold him for the last couple ounces. Then when he got up from a nap and was crying she wanted me to go get him. Lastly when he touched her today, as she was playing, she didn't freak she just said, "Here is your toy baby brother". It is nice to see some progress and I know some days will be better than others but it is good to at least see that we can have good days.

Liam loves to be carried around and held so I have not got much done besides basic needs. He cries a lot if I put him down and I know that he is still transitioning and it is important that I do hold him a lot now but boy do my arms hurt. I use my sling some times but it is not as useful as I thought it would be inside the house. Liam loves to go out (as he did in VN) He is doing so much better in the infant car seat so I try to take the kids out at least once a day. I am also starting to get his moods and wants down so this makes it easier too. Like for example he likes to be held after eating and a nap and then he will get down and play but don't do this right away and he gets mad (so now I know). He is very smiley and loves to interact repeating noises, playing peek-a-boo, and you can tickle him all day (he loves it). We have pictures tomorrow so we will see how that goes, lol.

Little mommy

Look we even have a hand on his head!

Little Santa

The Tree + a giveaway

Laurie over at Pho for five has some awesome giveaways for Christmas so go check it out!

Since Christmas is in less than two weeks I thought I might as well put up the tree. Jade was really excited to help this year and helped put on a lot of the ornaments. Liam helped eat some of them, lol. I have not been feeling well since we got home. I went to the doctor yesterday and had to give some samples ( we will just leave it at that) so hopefully I have not brought over any friends from Vietnam, if ya know what I mean, ewwww. Today is the first day where I have felt normal so I hope the worst is past.

Liam is doing well. He has slept through the night the last few nights only needing me to help him find his blanket to snuggle. He eats like a little piggy and has gained a pound since coming home. I took him the doc and she said he is developmentally on target for his age (which surprised me actually) so I am very thankful for that.

Jade has been slowly warming up to him and sharing mommy but I know this will take time. She has had a lot more tantrums but I'm sure this is to be expected. She will sit with him and play with him briefly so baby steps. I think it would be good for her and I to do something just the two of us this weekend. I have been busy trying to adjust to having two kids. Lots of work but am so thankful!

Here are some pictures of my little tree helpers. I could only get the one of them together. Then Jade was done taking pictures with baby brother, lol.

Ha Long Bay

Worth the 3 hour bumpy van ride there and back you ask? I'd say yes! We decide to do this the last day before coming home and wow was it beautiful! We took a private boat with others in our travel group and had a 4 hour tour of the bay with a seafood lunch included.

water village

Jeff, another adoptive parent, going for a dip

I love my baby brother...

Well if I have to. This is what I think Jade wants to say when people ask if she loves her new brother. It must be hard getting all the attention for 2+ years and then all of a sudden, hello my world has changed. She really tried to play with him but he can't do what she can so I think she thinks he is not quite as fun as she thought he would be. She has pushed him a few times and had a little meltdown tonight. But then she wanted to take a bath with him so we will take what we can get in the accepting baby brother transition.

Liam is doing well. We had a few rough nights but that is to be expected. He has slept pretty much through the night the last 2 nights so this is always helpful in the functioning normally department. He is a smiley little guy and loves to be bounced and ticked on his belly. He also eats great so I am glad this is not an issue so far. Vietnam was amazing and I have a lot to share about the trip. So till then here are some pics.

Yes she loves her Kung Fu Pan*da costume a lot.