She finds everything amusing (i.e. I put her to bed, she gets up, I put her back, she gets up....) and that cute giggle of hers comes out. "PT, PT, PT" -- yep, the old "I gotta go potty" routine. Then, when she lies there sucking her thumb and when I think she's almost asleep, she rolls over and puckers-up to give me kisses. Ugh -- she's got me trained...I can't resist those darned kisses!! I end up staying in the room facing away from her just so I can't see any additional offers for some love. She knows my weakness.
She also likes to hold my finger with her left hand while sucking her right thumb. I can tell when she's starting to fade as the death grip on my finger lightens up but then she'll say "Papa?", or "ohhhhhhhh" and the cycle begins all over.
One of the hardest things for me: to watch her rock herself to sleep. If she's on her back, she thrashes her head to the left and then to the right with shoulders lifting up off her mattress. If she's on her belly, she gets onto "all fours" with her forehead buried into the bed as she rocks her body back and forth. I know this is her self-soothing mechanism so we don't try to stop it. Afterall, she didn't have someone to rock her to sleep as a baby, or comfort her when she awoke from a nightmare or storm -- she has had to rely on herself for this her entire life. This is what is hard for me...just to know this fact.
But even after a marathon of getting up and going back to bed, crying and tossing off her blankets from the bed..., when she falls asleep, I can't help but just stare at her. She is beautiful. All kids are beautiful when they're sleeping! I get so much joy at passing her room 10 times during the night while cleaning up, etc. and checking in on her almost every time. A tender kiss on the forehead of my sleeping angel and my night is complete. Ninety minutes?? What ninety minutes? :)
Kristina won't sleep with blankets but Mama & Papa cover her up....eventually!
15 comments:
Sounds like a typical 2 year old nighttime routine. We have been lucky with nighttime thus far. Bath, a book, and cuddles with Mommy or Daddy do Colby in most nights. As for blankets, they must not use them in the baby home. Colby hated his at first. Now he looks for it but the blanket is usually off within half an hour. Mike and I both cover him many times but he continues to toss and turn them off. Kinda cute!
Melissa
Watching them when they're alseep...is there anything better?
My son rocked for about the first 9 months home but then over time it stopped. He also kicked the blankets off every night too, makes me wonder if the orphange might have been a bit stuffy at night so no need for blankets, who knows.
Nick used to do that same rocking. It is heartbreaking to see. I almost started bawling the first time I saw him do it. So sad. :(
I wonder if they don't use blankets at night in the orphanages. Nick hates to be covered up with a blanket too. If we cover him up after he is asleep he kicks it off.
wishing you quicker falling asleep time! :) she is beautiful.
OMG. I am rolling laughing. ONLY because it just took me just over 90 minutes tonight to get Little Man down, and similar things -- he pulls out all of his "look at me, i am so so cute" cocktail party tricks -- i don't know how many deep breaths I took while in his room -- gently kissing him, telling him "love you, good night, we'll be here in the morning", and he'd lay there 2 seconds then pop up and either kiss me, whack me on the head, reach to pinch or tickle me, etc.... perhaps we should "share" a glass of wine and a phone call one of these nights after they are both down! LOL.. hang in there -- it WILL get better!! love and cheers and BLEEPS! Amy
She looks so precious - I can see how you could forget the 90 minutes of hassle when you see that!
Love the picture. I remember those nights with Mattie after trying for 2 hours to get him to sleep UGH I never could get anything done at night. Well now I just let him stay up with me so I can get work done. Call me crazy a 3 year old up till 10 but he gets up at 7 so I guess it works for him. WHen he complains about being tired I tell him if you want to play you have to play!! SO I have a night owl, who knows what Jake will be like. Still working on my paper work. Beth
My heart breaks to hear that she rocked herself! I am soooo glad she has you now! And you her. :)
You know what they say.... this too shall pass! But I know it can wear you down eventually. Continue to enjoy the cuddles and kisses from your sweet little girl!
90 minutes is not as atypical as you might think; the blanket kick-off is normal too. I suggest warm bath, maybe a light snack, books and perhaps a later bedtime. Music, too; she'll love to here you sing to her, regardless of your vocal talents! And don't stress too hard, kid - this too, shall pass.
:) Zee
So angelic... awww!
Uh-oh, she has already learned the stall-with-potty technique? You have an advanced one on your hands!! Good luck! LOL
gina
Tatiana is a rocker too. Hard to watch sometimes - that's for sure. The other thing I discovered is that I CAN'T be in the room with her when it's time to go to sleep. As much as you'd like to soothe -- sometimes these kids just aren't used to it. I was a distraction for T -- so she'd stay awake. You may want to try leaving the room -- as much as Super Nanny suggests it...
I have slowly introduced snuggling BEFORE bed as a way to calm down. We watch a baby einstein video and rock. Helps her with cuddling now.
Don't worry - it took us 2 hrs to put Charlie to bed last night, and that's pretty much 'normal' around here. Oh, and then he wakes up an hour later (over and over again). Olivia's easier, but she will keep talking to you even after you close the door (yep, we do that, b/c she just keeps talking), and neither one of them will keep their covers on. You're brave - you actually go in for the picture after she's asleep. I don't dare for fear they'll wake up and we have to do it over again! Hang in there Super Mama!!!!
L, KvG
hang in there...it will get better with time regarding her sleeping...as soon as she has been home and is not affraid for you to leave her side.
She is so precious.
Have you tried picking her up and rocking her when she starts rocking on her own? It was a BIG help to my good friends who adopted from Russia. The rocking stopped and their attachment grew.
Just a thought!
Hi Coral...hehehehe, just wanted to stop by I love reading all the updates. Overall it sounds like things are going so well. I'm so happy she is with you now. Bedtime will get better.
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