Photo: Lulu, just prior to adoption



Jackson, while still more of the strong, silent type, is also doing incredibly well. He doesn’t talk as much as Cora but is plugging right along, and we’ve discovered that he is a big tease. He flashes his dimpled grin at us while simultaneously doing something he knows he shouldn’t, and all we can do is giggle. It’s hopeless. He gets along really well with Cora and is highly protective of her. If she falls or bonks her head, he’s the first one on the scene to offer hugs and kisses. I love seeing how sweet he is with her. Jackson is super snuggly and loving, but isn’t afraid to don “the scowl” if he determines he’s been treated unjustly or the food runs out. Yes, he has some lingering food issues (see “resources” following part 3 of this post), but nothing horrendous, thank goodness.

Lulu, Lulu, Lulu. (Say that ten times fast). ;) What an amazing little girl she’s proven to be. She’s an incredible helper, fun to be around, smart, and sweet. She has plowed through her math book, learned to write all the letters and numbers, and is working on identifying letters. Her English has exploded, and there’s almost nothing that she doesn’t understand anymore. She’s made friends at church, loves lip gloss and fingernail polish and having her hair done. (And I mean having her hair DONE – she does NOT enjoying the hair “doing” in the least.) Lulu keeps her room tidier than any of our other kids, shares with everyone, loves to help cook, ride bikes and play outside. Other than a few minor issues with lying and taking things that don’t belong to her, we’ve had very little behavior that I would chalk up to attachment issues. Mostly, we’ve found that misunderstandings are just that, and that they can be chalked up to cultural differences, lack of experience or, in the beginning, poor communication. (And just so you know, I don’t stick my head in the sand about such things; we do have a daughter who does have some difficulties with attachment.)

I don’t know if I would be up to adopting three kids at once again, but I think that all things considered, we’ve had a remarkable and positive experience so far. Everyone seems completely integrated into the family and I no longer feel like I’m hosting houseguests. ;)

Tomorrow is my sweet Cora’s birthday, and while I’m mourning the passing of her babyhood and wishing I hadn't missed so much of it, I’m looking forward to all the birthdays and “everydays” yet to come and counting myself very blessed that I get to be mom to the most fantastic kids ever.

Photo: Lulu with her brother, Jonah



Resources

Food issues in adopted children
Attachment and health issues in adopted children