Monday, October 26, 2009

The new normal

Has Clarissa really only been with us for a week and a half?? It already feels like she's been with us forever.

Things are really going amazingly well around here. The first week was a little rough at times (mostly at night!) while we all got used to each other, but the last few days have really been wonderful. Last night Clarissa slept through the night for the first time!! WOOHOO!!

We decided to keep her up a little later to see if that would help and it did. I've always been a stickler for bedtimes and our kids go to bed fairly early, so it totally went against my instincts to keep her up late, but it worked. She slept from about 10:30-6:30 on her yo all by herself!

The last few nights I've been sleeping next to her yo on a twin sized mattress that we dragged off her bed, but last night she was doing so well that I decided to try sleeping in my bed and it worked! She sleeps on the floor right next to our bed, so if she needs me I'm right there, but she didn't wake up once all night! Yay!

I've noticed that she's been a lot less clingy and nervous the past few days as well. When she first came home she hung on to me for dear life 24 hours a day. But as time has gone on she's been less and less clingy. We still do a TON of cuddling, but she's more comfortable being put down. When she first came home she cried if I sat her down for a minute to make her a bottle or run to the bathroom, but now she's totally fine if I walk away from her for a minute. I think she's starting to trust me a little more and she knows that if I walk away for a second I'm going to come back.

As she's gotten more comfortable her personality is coming out more and she is SO much fun! She's the happiest baby, her smile melts my heart. Sometimes when she's sitting on the floor playing with toys she'll look up and me and grin and it's the greatest thing in the world. I think she's come amazingly far in a week and a half. She's really easy going and cheerful and she absolutely adores her brothers. Her face lights up when they walk into the room.

I was just saying to Shawn today that I'm almost nervous about how well everything is going. It's like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Some of the attachment books I've read refer to a "honeymoon period", so maybe it's possible that she's going to melt down at some point, but at the moment she's not really showing any signs of a meltdown. She's smiley and giggly and the sweetest thing in the world.

Shawn came home for lunch today and we were sitting there with her watching her play and we just kept saying how blessed we feel. We were talking about how glad we were that we waited for the referral as long as we did because if it had been a day sooner we wouldn't have been matched with Clarissa, and we can't imagine loving any other baby more than we love the one we got. I wish I could go back in time and tell that to the me who was complaining every day about how long the referral wait was. I'd tell myself to be patient because in the end it would all be TOTALLY worth it.

So there's my much too sappy post for the day. Life is good here. I feel more content than I've felt in a while. I have three beautiful children who I love more than anything in the world and life is just really really good. (See what a good nights sleep can do for you??) :)

7 comments:

Dustin, Darci, Britton, Benjamin, & Caden said...

I know what you mean about being able to go back into the past and tell yourself to be patient. You really do get the kids that are meant to come into your home!

Andrea said...

I'm so over the moon for you! I'm very happy Clarissa is finding where she fits and the days are getting easier on her. You are doing great, mama!! (From one of your Aug 03 mamas, if you were wondering who this "Andrea" was that kept responding to you)

KrisJ said...

LOVE that feeling that it already feels like forever right!! Malia adjusted so quick and smooth it was crazy.. of course there were little things here and there but all in all she did amazing!! I think a huge part of that was her getting a blessing as soon as we got home! Glad sleep was better!

Tracie said...

So happy for you, Wendy!!! Clarissa is absolutely beautiful! So gorgeous!

And Happy Day on the night of sleep!!!

My5Blessings said...

So glad that things are going well and that she slept all night for you! Woo hoo, so tell me the truth did ya still wake up several times to check on her or where you so exausted that you totally passed out for the night?

Wendy, you are a Wonderful person and a really good Mommy! I am sure she will continue to adjust just fine.

Enjoy the day with your Beautiful daughter!
Michelle

Unknown said...

Would ya' quit it? You're making ME want to adopt a baby sister for my two boys!!! I'm glad things are going so well for you all. I'm enjoying your blog. Love the new pics, but still holding out for the family shot. :)

Chani said...

We know you have some candid shots of Clarissa with her brothers, you have to share a couple!