Brother and Sister

On Monday it was six weeks since we got Brenna. Having her home finally is such a surreal thing at times. I go back and forth between utter exhaustion or frustration with two toddlers to cracking up laughing or crying in awe of the wonder my two children bring to my life.

Micah seems to be finally adjusting a bit to having a sister. It has been really hard on him to have to share my attention and time. I am so thankful for all the help my mother-in-law and mom have been able to give me, but at times I miss him in a strange way! As Brenna has gotten stronger and more playful, Micah has been able to relate to her more easily. I think he's realized she's here to stay so he might as well go along with it! He sings to her when she's upset (totally adorable!) and is even sharing of his own free will quite often. It's amazing that they already do sibling things like be jealous of me when I'm holding one or want the toy that the other is playing with. The funniest part is how Brenna has started teasing Micah! Last week they had both just woken up from a nap and Micah was grumpy so I let him watch TV. I put heron the sofa next to him and she kept wanted to put her head on his shoulder to get his attention--see the picture--so funny! I try to do special things with Micah when Brenna takes her morning nap--we made a police outfit last week and ate icecream...the pictures speak for themselves. The funniest thing is how Micah does these quirky two-year-old things like wearing this boat hat my mother-in-law gave him everywhere we go or wearing his new shoes with nothing else but his diaper. I could barely stop laughing to take the picture!

Brenna is doing really well. I feel like she crossed some emotional milestone last week; she gives us kisses now and clings onto me when I hold her. She asks to be held a lot. It's so strange to hold a child that doesn't now how to be held and is even afraid of the closeness. She used to pull and strain away so much when we held her, turning her chest/body out. Now she even snuggles in at times. AMAZING! She wants me to rock her to sleep most nights and just generally seems more sure of her place at home. She is using a lot of sign language, too! She says more, all-done, please, cracker, book, milk, baby, and diaper. She LOVES baths, peek-a-boo, singing songs with motions, and reading books. We love her dearly and can't wait to have her get to know the family and friends close to us! We go to the int'l adoption clinic again on the 25th and hope to get a new game plan.
Gotta go--she's awake!