Kathlena Progress Report

Kathlena is doing so well with her speech. She is parroting back words and even 3 word phrases. It seems that just having the opportunity to name and see things has really turned a light bulb on for her development. Whatever delays she had I think will quickly diminish.

She loves to hold her arms up to me and and say "Momma Yuck!" which means pick me up. We started having her say "Momma Sweet" to pick her up and she would do it. So, cute but we decided it would be better to teach her correctly so now it is "please hold me " which she says very well as she likes to be held often.

She is also a very good little helper. She likes to help unload the dishwasher naming everything--spoon, fork, plate, bowl, cup and so on. She is very good about putting her plate away in the sink when she is through eating...such a good example for the boys!

Kathlena loves to jump and play on the trampoline with her brothers. She absolutely loves to be outside and has adapted to the dogs very well. She got a Charlie kiss that surprised her but she did not scream. She really likes to pet Chase and Charlie both. One night she was chasing Charlie around the yard trying to catch his tail in a bag (she had seen Andrew do this and got so tickled by it she thought she would try). This was so funny, actually, it was hilarious to see them both do this and the dogs were loving the attention.

She is eating very well. She loves milk and drinks lots of it. She is also a big fan of green beans, boiled eggs, apples and of course bananas. I have had to resort to "hiding" the banana stash in the garage frig otherwise they beg for them every time they come through the kitchen. What is funny is that when she is in the laundry room(leads out to the garage) she starts asking for a banana...she knows they are out there. She is pretty good about trying anything although you quickly know when she dislikes something as she spits it out saying "nyet" "poo" or "yuck"--yes, I know we will be working on those table manners, but communication is good. :)

She does like to listen to music and now her nap and bedtime routine involve turning our music on (Baby hymn instrumental-night time and Scripture songs 2-nap time) then crawling into bed. This has helped with the laying down for bed or nap tantrums. She still displays her dislike with her lip poked out, but again progress from our "respiratory attacks"! We were told that she has major mood changes which was something that was going to get her put on lots of medication in the orphanage. We have found these mood swings to be surrounded with the word "no" or her not being able to do what she wants. With consistent use of the rod and lots of praise and love when she accepts "no" without complaint we have greatly seen these mood swings diminish and a very charming, delightful, peaceful child emerge.

Kathlena has developed unique bonds with each of her family members. She loves to play with her brothers--J.Michael, she likes for him to chase her and pick her up, Andrew she likes to play cars, in the kiddie pool or just sitting near him and playing. She also loves to help her big sister Emily that she calls "MiMi". She is a Dah-eee (Daddy's) girl. She lights up when she see him and he is the one she calls for when she gets hurt...so sweet. With Momma, she is my little shadow following me and helping me where ever I go. She is so curious and very busy...I love this age as life is so exciting and fun.

We have also begun "blanket" training. This is where Kathlena must sit quietly near me on a blanket with a few toys and play--like a playpen only it is her will that is trained to contain herself not physical barriers. She is not to get off the blanket until Mommy says it is okay. She really did not like this at first but once she realized this was not optional she would sit and play happily thus allowing Mommy to prepare dinner or in the mornings get a shower! She is always where she can see me and know that I am right there but Daily, I see this improve and time increase that she sits contently playing. This has been wonderful for safety because little ones can grab a hot pot or pull something down on themselves with you standing right next to them (experience talking as our 10yr old son did this with a iron when he was 18 months old and hubby was standing right there and placed the iron down on the ironing board for a second...this accident resulted in thumb surgery at 5yrs of age--a very bad burn). It is also teaching her self control as she must of her will choose to stay on the blanket or receive the consequence. Kathlena has become a very happy, content 3yr old with consistency...it is not easy to keep this as their "cuteness" gets you diverted, but the fruit is so worth the work.

Kathlena is growing so much each day. It is hard to believe it has only been a month since she has been with us. At the same time I can't believe how quickly a month has flown by. I look at pictures from our trip and I don't even see the same little girl. She is my precious "little Lena" who is so full of life and has this amazing laugh that makes you smile from the inside out. I love you my sweet baby girl!

Andrew Progress Report

Andrew is such a sweet boy. He really has a tender spirit about him and is very calm and considerate for his age. He has been very patient with us as we continue to navigate the language issues. He continues each day to pick up new words and still parrots everything we say even whole phrases.

His understanding of the language is amazing to me right now. I can give specific instructions like "Andrew go put your swimsuit on" and he understands this. Now if he is engaged in playing or doing something else he may move a little slower(like English speaking 5yr olds) to do things like "pick up the cars and toys", but he understands clearly when it is something he wants to do. He is still saying much in Russian, but tends to add hand signals--our own sign language is developing. It works as we are able to communicate effectively this way.

My friend and fellow home schooler and children's book lover (Thanks, Tracy and Demmer family) sent us the cutest books Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson. Andrew loves this book and it's simple explanation of being sick was beautifully illustrated and using repetition the word "sick" is reinforced. When Andrew hears the word "sick" in other contexts his ears perk up and he will tell me "sick" and do the hand motion demonstrating the word sick. He loves to be read to and it is so cute because he is mostly watching me instead of looking at the book. He is really picking up on the facial cues and other aspects of language right now. I am just amazed at how quickly they adapt and change even the sounds of letters they have known are changing sometimes over night. He has learned to say "excuse me" when he burps and like most 5yr old boys he makes himself burp for fun only he likes to so he can say "excuse me". Well at least he is learning to connect the two...good manners.

We have been using a DVD series of phonics called Leap Frog Letter Factory
This was recommended by a friend of mine and Andrew really likes it. He loves music and the characters in it are humorous which he also likes to mimic. He is absolutely glued to this and will sometimes watch it twice in one day.

Andrew has continued to sleep well and eat well. He is still on the picky side sometimes refusing to eat what has been fixed for him. It is hard, but I do not fix alternates for him as I know he will eat when he is truly hungry. Without fail the next meal/snack he eats what is in front of him even things he has refused to eat before. He was really not keen on raw milk so I did give in and start adding a little chocolate to it and that did the trick. He does love fruits and veggies and meat, meat and more meat. One thing he is not as keen on is food that is mixed--like casseroles although, he likes quesadillas and tacos with all the fixin's. He is also a bit of a pepper belly eating a fresh bell pepper right out of our garden. He really likes that he can go out and collect tomatoes, strawberries, onions and peppers out of the garden and eat them right there. He thinks it is so funny that we can just pick them and eat them.

Our scale is not very accurate, but I definitely think Andrew has gained some weight. He has bulked up through his core and I think his face has filled out some too. I began giving both he and Kathlena cod liver oil and colostrum chewable capsules everyday since the first day they became ours. Andrew's hair and nails have grown so quickly. I also think his hair is much thicker now and so soft and shiny not fuzzy. I am trimming nails almost twice a week now!

I took Andrew and Kathlena for a walk...only Kathlena rode in the stroller and Andrew rode the scooter. He did so well and never gave up or complained although it was difficult for him to balance. I noticed though that his endurance has greatly improved since we were in Moscow as he struggled to walk long distances. Perhaps nutrition has improved this too in a short time. He loved seeing all the neighborhood animals and trees. It was so fun to see it through his eyes. He talked the whole way saying "Momma" over and over. I never tire of hearing those words though. He is such a delight...we are tying many strings now; I love you my dear sweet Andrew.