Brrrrr

Well, it's another cold day, here in Latvia.  I admit that I expected it to be worse, though.  I figure it's about 25f.  It's not so bad except when walking to our fave rest which is several blocks.  I want so bad to take Dina to the park.  I don't dare though with her asthma past.  She's been so great in spite of the limited sources of entertainment/activities.  Basically, we do a lot of crafts each day.  She will play in the "tub" usually twice a day.  We read a lot of books to learn new words.  She is still bringing me my phrase book when I don't understand her.  So funny!  We also play playdough and moon sand at least once a day.  That's her favorite activity.  

We are learning about discipline the past two days.  She has "spanked" Mommy a few times.  Then threw her toys in protest to picking up.  The the issue came at nap time.  Really, her tantrums are equal to about a second of naughty time, not much more.  But still... I remember the training expressing how she will try to "test" me.   So, we start with the stern look and talk.  If that doesn't get it, we graduate to the "grounding" from a favorite item.  She HATES that!  So, it works great.  She learned after the second time that we mean business.  Then, she has to say "sorry" and she pats me where she hit me and gives me a kiss.  Darn the luck.  She is so adorable that it's hard to keep a straight face.  She wants so badly to just play and have happy time.   Which is about 98% of the time.  

I was worried about her behavior and emotions about being out in restaurants and such.  She does so good!  We enjoy good food out and about.  So it was important for a new child to be able to adjust to being with us.  She is so mannerly and calm.  I seem to refer to my pre-adoptive training quite a bit when introducing things or just in general.  It has been great to have the knowledge to be able to assess if there are any issues we will need to be aware of.  I don't think we will have to worry too much about attachment or sensory issues.  But I won't be so quick to settle in.  I know with my foster children it took a while before I could really tell what was what.  

Well, we finally rearranged our travel plans.  I feel somewhat guilty about leaving her early when I don't have to.  But I think in the end... staying one week will be best in many regards.  It's too tough, in the winter to be cooped up.  I think it's also better to reintroduce her to the orphanage while she might think of our time as a special vacation.  So really, my guilt is unfounded.  I think it's important in this journey to live true to yourself and not second guess too much.  Yes, I second guessed whether adoption was right for our family.  I think to be fair to all concerned you must look at things over and over.  But on the issues such as to stay one week extra or not... only serves to create tension.  Go with your gut!  

Well, Daddy has reached the end of his play time with little britches.  So, I need to run and re-direct her behavior... which is deteriorating.  Her fits are almost funny.  They are so fake.  You can tell she's doing it on purpose.  Oh, a funny happening today.  She is soooo proud of her scissors.  I keep finding ziplock bags with the bottom or top cut off.  Today, I found evidence that she had cut some sort of plastic bag.  When I went to throw something away in the bathroom trash...  I fund she had meticulously put a plastic bag, liner, in the trash can.  A closer look found it to be an upside down, large ziplock (I think it was one that Linda left behind).  I know how it is when people talk about their kids.  I thank you for baring with my stories and amusements.  Oh... I do need to share how incredible her "writing"is.  She will take a piece of paper and make marks that truly look like letters.  They are in neat rows, small and neat.  It's very impressive for what I would expect from a child in an orphanage...  much less, a three year old.  She never stops amazing me.  

Well, gotta go for real now.