Two months home!

It has been 2 months since we returned home with Ziva and it is amazing how quickly the time has passed! We can tell that Ziva is getting more comfortable with us and her new home. Like most children, she craves routine and consistency; if we don't do something "just the same as before", it bothers her and she is quick to point it out to us (sounds like some of my grade one students!). Her sleeping has gotten so much better; she now falls to sleep within a few minutes with very little crying and sleeps most nights straight through. Her eating has take a huge turnaround as well; she eats and eats and eats...it's incredible how much she can pack away! Maybe a growth spurt on the way?

Her language is still a huge concern for us. When she wants to, she can say a perfect "more", but that is still her only word. Our speech therapist gave us tips on how to encourage Ziva to communicate. For example, when playing with her, do not give her a toy if she just points and guestures for it; she has to verbalize something (anything) before you give it to her. The challenging thing we are finding with Ziva is that if she is "forced" to communicate in order to play, then she would just rather not play! So following the speech therapist's tips have been mildly successful.

We are also finding it hard to curb her indiscriminate friendliness towards everyone. Because of her developmental level and her lack of communicating, we are finding it difficult to teach her who a stranger is (people who get handshakes only) and who are the people she can give hugs and kisses. We know that this lesson will take a few years...

Going for our weekly swim has become one of Ziva's favourite things. She absolutely loves the water! And although she would prefer that I do not hang on to her (she wants to be in control), it is teaching her that she needs to be dependent on me.

We are still easing Ziva slowly into new situations. We have done a slow transition into church nursery, and last week (as we watched Fireproof) she was apart from us for the first time in 8 weeks! I think it was harder on me than it was on her! My family threw us a beautiful shower last week, and we finally made a visit to my school, where Ziva met the 24 students I "left behind" last December.

In the past few weeks, Ziva has become a big "hugger". She has always been quite free with her kisses, but now she loves to hug too. When she says good night to me, she will give me the biggest hug, it is just the sweetest! And just a few days ago, while I was doing up some buttons on her sweater and she standing in front of me, she spontaneously gave me a bear hug. And then another and another...

This past month, I have been able to connect with some other moms who have adopted toddlers and were faced with some of the same challenges that we are (as far as developmental delays, language delays, attachment, etc). Their advice and encouragement has been so helpful.

We would continue to covet your prayers for Ziva and her progess and development. Until next month...enjoy the photos!

Ziva on March 27, 2 months from Gotcha Day. Twenty-five pounds (she gained one in the last month!) and 83.5 cm tall (she grew 1/2 cm). Oh, and you'll notice that her hair is finally long enough for me to try a few "hair styles"!
Playing with her new stroller at the shower.

Ziva loves to "help" unpack all the groceries. When she saw this box of macaroni and cheese, she started to shout and jump up and down...I think she was trying to tell me something!

Choosing what book to read.

Ziva had her first visit to the park! The swings are her favourite.

New sunglasses!