I can't believe that Pudding has been home for one month. In some ways it seems like just yesterday we were in China, slowly getting to know this wild child of ours. But on the other hand, I can't quite remember what life was like without his big smile to brighten my every-waking moment. I was a little nervous that our easy time with Pudding might begin to wear off once the "honeymoon period" started fading. But he is just as happy as he was during our trip. He is really starting to bond with his siblings now too. During our first few weeks at home, Pudding liked Chipmunk and Monkey but never tried to play with them and or even really cared if they were in the same room. Now he shrieks with delight when he sees Chipmunk get off the bus or when we go to pick up Monkey from preschool. He absolutely adores his big brothers and I think the feeling is mutual. The big boys are starting to realize that Pudding is a little more rough-and-tumble than HotDog and have started to (gently) wrestle with him, which he loves. The relationship between HD and Pudding is still evolving too. Some days are good and they play and laugh together. Other days brings a constant battle between the two. I'm sure this will continue for years to come as they are so close in age.
We have slowly started to venture out to a few more places and Pudding seems to be handling it okay. I can tell when he starts to get overstimulated because he'll start to zone out and just kind of shut down. If I see that happening, we leave wherever we are immediately. We spend most of our days taking stroller walks around the neighborhood or playing at the playground while the big boys are at soccer practice. We are definitely taking advantage of this beautiful spring weather.
Sleep is still proving to be our trouble area. He is going to sleep much easier now but still has trouble staying asleep. He is up constantly and never seems to get into a deep sleep. He tosses and turns all night and I know his poor little body isn't getting nearly enough rest. He starts out in a toddler bed in our room. But usually by the middle of the night he ends up in bed with us. I have to admit that I am starting to like co-sleeping with the little guy; he is such a little snuggler. And there is no better way to start the day than to wake up to him rubbing my face and giving me little kisses. Stu and I always swore we would have no children in our bed but that is what works for him right now so we are going with it.
We did go to the ENT today to schedule his upcoming surgery. We have been trying to postpone this as long as possible since he has only been home for such a short period. I was thrilled to find out the ENT also has a daughter he adopted from China, so he agreed that it would be beneficial to wait a few more weeks as to further our bonding and attachment before such a traumatic surgery. So nice to have a doctor that understands exactly what issues we are facing. So his surgery is scheduled for May 3rd; the ENT did agree that the tonsils need to come out ASAP. Evidently they are gigantic and he definitely agrees that Pudding's sleep should greatly improve after the surgery.
Now that things have settled down (a bit) I often wonder how in the world we got so lucky to adopt four amazing children. In light of all the distressing news coming out of Kyrgyzstan over the past week, as well as the sickening story of the adopted child being sent back to Russia, I am finding myself hugging each of my kids a little more often and a little tighter.
