It's been 2 whole weeks since we brought Aiden home. After reading lots and lots about transitioning little ones when they're brought home, I'd say our Aiden is doing really well. Since day one with us, he has seemed pretty comfy with Mike and I. Although, he seems to really want me for comfort most if not all the time. :) He's not a laid back baby at all. He's a little nervous, has major crowd anxiety, and a little anxiety around new people.
He eats very well, okay seriously, he LOVES to eat. He likes most everything except baby food green beans, and of course likes most fruits, although peaches may not be a contender. He loves to feed himself.... and Scooter, our house dog, so I have to keep an eye on him! Along with eating a lot, he poops 3-4 times a day. Seriously? There is nothing wrong with his GI track!
Aiden has lots of smiles for us during the day and a few laughs too. He's very ticklish, and loves to be held....a lot! He has ventured from the room I'm usually in, then realizes "where'd mom go!?" then comes racing back whining, gets to my feet, arms stretched up with the "pick me up" look, which is really adorable, so how could I not. He likes to climb, point, play ball, aggravate Scooter, and go outside.
Naps are going okay. He wakes whining, which will turn into crying very soon if I don't get to him quick enough, so I try to stay on my toes when he's sleeping. So it's really hard for me to get into anything while he naps. I never know if it's going to turn into a 2 hour nap or the 2 hour nap - waking every 30 minutes and me getting him back to sleep nap.
Night time has been a bit of a struggle. Tried him in his crib first, screamed so I just didn't feel it was time for that. In Korea, Aiden slept on a mat on the floor with his Foster Mother. So we moved a twin mattress and box springs in his room butted up next to his bed. That worked for a week, then I'd had enough of sleep deprivation! This kid moves ... A LOT! He thrashes around, kicks, flops his arms, etc. Then I had the brain storm to take the front rail off his bed. When you do that, it makes the crib a day bed and the twin mattress and his crib mattress are the exact same height. Now Aiden sleeps in his crib with me on the twin mattress right next to him. Some nights Aiden will sleep pretty good, and others he doesn't seem to sleep well at all. He woke last night about 6-8 times. Or so I thought he was awake. I'm beginning to think he's really alseep when he has an episode. He'll start whining that will result in a full blown cry, tears and all, if I don't try and console him quickly. The first week I was getting up and picking him up, then rocking him back to sleep, then laying him down. Then realized a few days ago to just leave him laying down and console him that way. I'll pat his rear end which works sometimes, other times I have to turn on his Korean lullaby music cd and cuddle him and he goes right back to sleep/gets quiet.
Aiden does not like it when he sees me go into another room. He starts whining, which escalates fast if I don't take him with me or come right back. When I do come right back I have to pick him up and after about 5 seconds he's good. So I'm having a bit of a hard time being "needed" so much. I knew it was going to be this way, but it's still hard. Taylor is doing really well, Aiden loves her and holds his arms for her to pick him up also. Which she struggles with a little, but she can do it. Told her it's building strong muscles for softball! ;)
We're in a good routine for the most part, night time especially. Around 7 pm I'll get him in the bathtub, which he LOVES!! I really have to watch him though, he'll try to get in the tub with all his clothes on. So while the tub is filing I'll get him undressed and then put him in. He splashes so much, I'm almost as wet as he is, which cracks him up! :) He loves to have all his toys in the water with him, loves baths! After bath, pj's, and a bottle, he's ready for bed. He really seems ready for bed these last couple of days, goes right to sleep, I even put him down sleepy but still awake and he drifted off to sleep. So progress is being made, even if it doesn't happen every night!
The things he doesn't like - getting his face wiped off after eating, diaper changes (unless I can keep him occupied with something till I'm done) and getting dressed. Luckily these things don't take long.
All in all we're adjusting. At first I had a very hard time trying to balance everything, which I'm still trying to handle. ;) My house is somewhat back in order, clothes get done when they can, dishes get washed when they can, but I'm learning how to balance.
I've been asked "when can we visit"? Weekends seem to be a good time, plus morning before naps. So if anyone wants to come visit, email me and we'll figure out a good time soon! I'd like to space out visits as to not overload Aiden. I'm really into making this his home and a safe place for him. One thing I will say about Aiden, follow his lead. :)
Okay nap time is over... more later... :)
