One Week Home

We have been home for one week. It. Has. Been. A. Long. Week. We arrived home in the wee hours of last Sunday morning. Somehow, at 2:00AM, I was convinced to make everyone philly chicken sandwiches. We were all in the bed by 3AM. Lin-Ley had us up at 5:30AM. !!! We were up for the day – no naps – because Lin-Ley and Tru had school the next day.

First order of business, Crosse had his first driving lesson.

Slowly, I am pulling Crosse out of his Kindle Coma. The time difference between the U.S. and China has been a challenge for him to understand. However, he still manages to connect with his friends. Somehow, it seems that the children in his orphanage have an infinite amount of time and opportunity to use electronics. Unfortunately for Crosse, now he has a Mommy that limits his time. Even more unfortunately, his Mommy requires him to follow the rules about time limits on the Kindle which has resulted is his losing the Kindle on multiple occasions. Already.

Crosse has had many firsts since he has been with us:
Using a toilet
Taking a shower
Using a shower curtain (We were not precise enough with those instructions!)
Using a fork and spoon
Using a hand towel after washing his hands (rather than flinging the water on the floor)

Today’s discovery – As I was collecting the trash around the house, I discovered at least half a roll of toilet paper in the boys’ trashcan.  I went to Crosse and asked him about it.  At first he acted as if he knew nothing about it.  Then he told me he used it one night to dry off after his shower.

Again, clearly, we are not being precise enough about the shower procedures. 

The problem at this point is that Crosse is bored.  He has not started school yet. 

Last week, must to his chagrin, Crosse was seen at his new school for audiology testing as well as to begin the official application process.  It was found that he does have some hearing in both ears.  However, the hearing loss is considered severe to profound.  We will follow up that testing with his primary care physician and (many) specialists in the near future.  Friday, Crosse was officially accepted to his new school.  Now, we continue to wait until they set-up the intake meeting. 

There is one thing that Crosse does not like – perhaps above all other things he does not like – waiting!!

I am with him on this one.  He needs to be in school.  Now.

Unfortunately, Dallas had to leave several days ago to be with his mother who suddenly became very ill.  We love you MaMa Linda!

So, Fun Daddy left Crosse with Serious Mommy.  Crosse has asked daily when dad would return. 

During dad’s absence, Crosse has been stuck with mom all day, every day.  We have made some progress with American Sign Language and he is catching on very quickly as I was sure he would.  He is taking pride in showing me what he remembers and he is writing his American name very well. 

 

The kids are spending a good deal of time together and still trying to find common interests. Lin-Ley and Crosse both love to run. Tru and Crosse both enjoy playing with Legos. One minute they get along great – the next….

Our TLC.

One week down. A lifetime to go.