Well, Today was our finalization day! We went before the judge (ten minutes late because I forgot the camera), and the whole process took less than five minutes. We got pictures, and we through a huge "Gotcha Day" party. We have nearly 25 children here (with their parents of course). We did so many things, but I am way to tired to post them all now. I will update tomorrow.
I am finally a "forever" mom. Wow, what a journey it has been. Poor Bunter (Hunter William Ryan) was running a fever. What a day to be sick. He was a trooper though, and he didn't let any of that slow him down.
Bear (Alexia Jessie Mae) did well. I think she was a little overwhelmed in the courtroom, but she pulled out of it, and she had a great evening.
I will post pictures tomorrow (If I can figure out how).
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
We got the official adoption letter in the mail today. Even though it only reminded us of the time and date, I was nearly in tears. Seeing it on paper makes it so much more realistic. Both kids had great days at school...although Bunter had a bathroom accident severe enough to send his teacher out in search of me. I had to leave my class, find clothes for him (somehow he wound up with two shirts, but no extra pants in his cubby), bathe him in the stall, and get him back to class. That was his first accident in nearly two months.
Bear has had two green days in a row. Woohoo! She was grounded from crayons, markers, pencils, etc. because she was caught coloring on her dresser (more than once). I told her that she can have them back if she has green days all week long. This incentive seems to be working so far, and I can see that she is trying really hard.
Her personality is changing so much since this new medicine has been put into play. She is so much more sociable. Even her teachers are commenting on how much different she is acting. She doesn't argue and scream at Bunter like she usually does. Her fake smile has been evicted, and a real smile has moved in. She laughs, sings, dances, and engages in other forms of high energy play. She talks without sarcasm, and she even tells me she loves me. I see her several times a day since I teach where she attends school. As my class is entering the lunchroom, her class is leaving. A long time ago, I taught them how to say I love you in sign language, and I always give her the sign when we pass. She hardly ever responds to it. When I walked in today, she caught me by surprise. As I came into view, her fingers were already set into place. She beat me to it! I sent the sign back to her, and she smiled with delight. I felt those warm fuzzies forming in my chest. Then, I saw her on the playground, and she sent me the sign AGAIN!!! Twice in one day!
I think as she realizes that this is permanent, she will be able to trust in me more. We have talked a lot about the adoption, and she is showing less fear/anxiety and more confidence and excitement.
Bear has had two green days in a row. Woohoo! She was grounded from crayons, markers, pencils, etc. because she was caught coloring on her dresser (more than once). I told her that she can have them back if she has green days all week long. This incentive seems to be working so far, and I can see that she is trying really hard.
Her personality is changing so much since this new medicine has been put into play. She is so much more sociable. Even her teachers are commenting on how much different she is acting. She doesn't argue and scream at Bunter like she usually does. Her fake smile has been evicted, and a real smile has moved in. She laughs, sings, dances, and engages in other forms of high energy play. She talks without sarcasm, and she even tells me she loves me. I see her several times a day since I teach where she attends school. As my class is entering the lunchroom, her class is leaving. A long time ago, I taught them how to say I love you in sign language, and I always give her the sign when we pass. She hardly ever responds to it. When I walked in today, she caught me by surprise. As I came into view, her fingers were already set into place. She beat me to it! I sent the sign back to her, and she smiled with delight. I felt those warm fuzzies forming in my chest. Then, I saw her on the playground, and she sent me the sign AGAIN!!! Twice in one day!
I think as she realizes that this is permanent, she will be able to trust in me more. We have talked a lot about the adoption, and she is showing less fear/anxiety and more confidence and excitement.
Well, we finalize March 28th. The kids are excited and ready to become Baxters. We have invited everyone over that afternoon for a Gotcha Day Celebration.
We took Bear to a new doctor, and he changed her medicine. So far, things seem to be working. She has only had one major meltdown since the switch. Fingers crossed, I hope she stays this way. I love to see her happy and smiling.
Bunter is going to be taking piano lessons this summer. He will take them from the music teacher at our school. He wants to be a country singer when he grows, and I told him he could do just that. However, I also informed him that he had to learn how to play the piano first. He just grinned and said, "Awwwwww mannnnn!"
Bear is going to be taking art lessons from the art teacher at our school. She is ecstatic, because she loves to draw and paint. We have started painting little ceramic figures, and she begs me everyday to get out the paints. The kid is driving me crazy, but I am really glad that she found something that she enjoys. Speaking of something, she spelled it today. Six years old and already spelling something. Smart GIRL!
Well, it's way past bedtime! I have to teach in the morning. I would have been in bed already, but when I tried to post...I lost everything and had to start over with this stinking entry again!
Goodnight ALL!
We took Bear to a new doctor, and he changed her medicine. So far, things seem to be working. She has only had one major meltdown since the switch. Fingers crossed, I hope she stays this way. I love to see her happy and smiling.
Bunter is going to be taking piano lessons this summer. He will take them from the music teacher at our school. He wants to be a country singer when he grows, and I told him he could do just that. However, I also informed him that he had to learn how to play the piano first. He just grinned and said, "Awwwwww mannnnn!"
Bear is going to be taking art lessons from the art teacher at our school. She is ecstatic, because she loves to draw and paint. We have started painting little ceramic figures, and she begs me everyday to get out the paints. The kid is driving me crazy, but I am really glad that she found something that she enjoys. Speaking of something, she spelled it today. Six years old and already spelling something. Smart GIRL!
Well, it's way past bedtime! I have to teach in the morning. I would have been in bed already, but when I tried to post...I lost everything and had to start over with this stinking entry again!
Goodnight ALL!
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