Two Months Home

Two months ago today I picked up Jason and Claudia from the airport.  It was such a great day, to be together again and together as a legal family for the first time.  These past two months have FLOWN by.  We have done so many things, spent time with friends, visited family and gone to numerous appointments.  Claudia has come a long way and still has a long way to go.  We are impressed nearly every day with her abilities and rejoice over new skill she learns. 

I will not lie and pretend that it has been easy.  We knew from the beginning that we would have difficulties and that there would be difficult days.  Some things, such as the bonding came easier than we expected.  Other things that we expected did not happen immediately.  When we got Claudia she did not like being held at all.  Waiting in lines with her (before we got a stroller) was a nightmare.  We also did not expect some of her negative behaviors such as head banging, biting herself and hair pulling (her own and others).  Thankfully these negative behaviors (which we believe stem from her inability to adequately communicate with us, and us know knowing her well enough to know her needs) have gotten much better since we first met her.  We are working on them still and have come across a few other difficulties but overall, Claudia is doing fantastic.

Claudia starts school a week from tomorrow, I am very excited to see how well she does, however I do know that she will come home tired and cranky!  I have a feeling she will be falling asleep on the bus rides home, especially since she gets out of school right at her usual nap time.  I am anticipating several cranky days when she first starts.

Here are a few pictures from today, her 2 month home anniversary:

She will finally actually rock on her horse.
 She can do it by herself AND will stay on it for more than just one rock.

Graceful Dismount.
We still need to work on safety... she has no fear.
Claudia likes to launch herself from things.

She is trying to figure out zippers and buttons and is getting good at taking coats off.

The patch wearing is going better than we expected although she does not like when it is time to take it off.
I don't blame her!

She has been getting a lot of Mommy time :)

We love Claudia so much and are excited to see what the future holds for her, although we don't want to rush it!