Thursday, December 31, 2009

Ice Skating

LG got her first pair of ice skates from Grandma and Grandpa Mickelson and we tried them out yesterday. At first she kept trying to walk on the ice with them, but we showed her how to glide and she was off like a pro. It amazes me how many things she can do well the first time she tries. I was a lot more causious and clumsy as a kid. It might have had something to do with my height. LG is just a little peanut and doesn't have a height issue to compensate for. Anyway, we had to coax off the ice with hot cocoa and dinner and a promise to go back tomorrow.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Little Girl's first overnight was a success

We had little girl overnight for the first time Friday. It was a success.
When I picked her up at Foster mom's house I didn't know if it would be. She seemed a bit nervous. When we got into the car I asked her if she was. She told me that 'yes' she was nervous. We were able to talk about it and I was thankful for that. She has been having a few problems talking about her feelings with her foster mom and with her therapist, so I wondered how that would go with me. We had a good talk about it, and thankfully that's all she needed.
Once we got back to the house, we were met by her therapist and LG showed off her room and all the great things that she had in it. After she left we played paper dolls, crazy 8s and Old maid. Then Jerry came home and played with LG so that I could cook dinner.
We ate and LG talked nonstop about all kinds of things. I must say that she's a good eatter. The nieces and nephews are the opposite, so it's nice to cook for a kiddo that will eat anything. After dinner she and Jerry went down to the studio and played drums and recorded a song. LG sang, but didn't want anyone in the room while she did. Silly girl. After that we watched 'Elf' and then it was time for bed.
Once we told her it was bedtime she was ready to go to sleep. I turned on her nightlight and gave her the glass of water she asked for, tucked her in and gave her a good night kiss, and she went to sleep. She didn't seem at all nervous. I think our little talk worked out.
In the morning I got us an hour before anyone else and had a chance to have my coffee and do my crossword. The dogs got noisy and woke Jerry and LG up. I asked her how her night went and she said that it went well. She heard a lot of noised, and a shadow on the ceiling scared her a bit. I listened and assured her that she would get used to it. Then we were off to the kitchen to make waffles. Again, she ate like a champ.
She really wanted me to do her hair, so I spent the next few hours braiding it up. It looked really cute and she was happy to have it done. After that Jerry took her out Christmas shopping. He told me when he got back that she grabbed his hand and held it for quite a while. So cute, I wish I could have seen it. That must have made him feel really great since they were having some trouble bonding on the last few visits.
I have notice that she's a bit clumsy. It's just like she's my biological daughter. I happen to be VERY clumsy myself.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Wednesday

On Wednesday we took LG over to Grandma Cris's house for dinner. Grandma also invited Cousin Ayreonah over to meet LG. We ordered pizza and made a gingerbread house and the girls played together. I think they had a good time. I know that I did. It seemed alot more relaxing then the other night when we met Tekaija and Naz and Izy.

Here's LG's beautiful and sweet gingerbread house. I think she really had fun making her house and eating her candy.
Today I pick her up at 3:00 and we will have our first overnight. I can't wait, I think that it will go well. We are going to try and keep it low key so we can get to know eachother better.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Baking cookies/visiting the cousins


We had a really great day baking cookies on Sunday. I think LG had a great time too. She decorated her heart out with sprinkles and red hots. My sister Kirstin even helped her bake some cookies in her Easy Bake oven. She was so proud. She ate 2, and gave one to me and one to grandma Betsey(my mom).
When she wasn't baking she was colloring with Jerry, playing barbies with Kirstin, or listing to Kids Bop on her radio in her room. We had an old boom box with a CD player in it that we put in her room. I think she likes that a lot. Her foster mom said she had a hard time falling asleep that night. I hope it was just because of all the commotion from the day and not nerves.
Yesterday, I picked LG up from school. I didn't know how that was going to go because I know she doesn't like her foster mom to pick her up or drop her off at school. Well it didn't go that great. As we were walking out a boy from her class asked if I was her mom. She got a bit mad at him and said, "No." I figured that she would say that. I'm not going to lie and say that it didn't hurt my feelings a bit, but I can understand it.
After we got into the car things got better. We drove over to The Railstation to wait for Jerry to get off work. When we got there LG was introduced to Grandma Cris who welcomed her with a big hug and chicken fingers and fries. She only had pretzels for lunch because she didn't like the other things that her foster mom packed for her, so she was a bit hungry. So, we visited with Grandma and played a bit of tic-tac-toe until Jerry got there.
Then we were off to visit Jerry's sister and her kids for dinner. It's a good thing that we have a DVD player in the car, because it was a 45 minute drive and it kept her occupied and happy. Once we got there she was a bit nervous, but Tekaija, our niece was so excited to meet her, that she instantly warmed up and had a great time and didn't want to leave. She even had fun playing with Izy, our 9 month old nephew. I am happy that they got along so well.
When we got back, she told her foster mom that she met some cousins, her grandma, and her grandpa Charlie. It warms my heart when she talks about our family as hers. I do feel like we haven't had that much one on one time with her though. I think this weekend we are going to try and just keep it us, so we can bond a bit.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

First/Second meeting with my daughter

On Friday at 4:00pm we drove up to a cute little house in the city. I was really nervous. It's not everyday that you meet your daughter for the first time. As Jerry and I walked up to the door we saw her through the window sitting at the dining room table. She saw us and jumped up from her chair. She didn't come to the door to greet us. She was nervous as well.

We were greeted by her foster mom and the family dog Olive, a boxer. I could see LG from the corner of my eye as we took off our coat and shoes. She was intently trying to figure us out. As we made our way to the table she dropped some coins on the floor and headed under the table to pick them up. She would not return to her seat for 10 minutes. Her therapist told us that she was very nervous and excited. The photo album I made for her lay on the table with a few questions for us on a sheet of notebook paper.

We didn't push her to come up from under the table to meet us, but eventually she did. Once she was out she was bouncing all over the place with nervous energy. Finally, we got her to sit down and read us the life book that she made when she was 7. We learned all about her likes and dislikes, her favorite foods, colors, and songs.

Her therapist left once everything calmed down and her foster mom served us hot cider and crackers and cheese. She then excused herself too, so that we could have a moment together alone. I asked her if I could take her picture, and she beemed. We got a group photo of the 3 of us that I will charish always. Then she showed us her room, and every other room in the house.

The family had plans that night to see a play, so we gathered up our things to leave our little girl. She kept asking her foster mom why we couldn't go to the play too. That was a relief to hear, because at least she liked us and wanted to spend some more time together.

As we left I wanted to give her a hug, but was nervous how she would react to that, so I didn't. I wish I would have.

Then yesterday Jerry and I got up at 7:00am and cleaned the house up a bit and then set off to pick up our little girl. This would be the first time she would see her new home, pets, and room. It was exciting. As we pulled up in front of the house she was ready and waiting. She waved to us through the window. She gathered up her things, put on her coat and boots, and we were off for a day at our house.

On the ride home we asked her questions and she asked questions of us. It was a good trip. There was no stress, and I hope she wasn't too nervous. I think she was feeling more at ease because she wasn't as bouncy as the first time we met. Once we got to the house she voiced her concerns about the dogs. She hasn't had much exposure to pets. We let her know that it would be alright and gave her some tips about how to get rid of the dogs if they were bothering her.

She loves our house and especially her room. She kept asking if she could move in right away. I wish she could, but I know that she can't. She has a whole week of school left before Christmas break, and it's just better that she can finish out her time at her old school and make a clean break and a fresh start at her new one. We did let her take a couple of books with her and the santa hat and reindeer antlers that she wore all day.

While she was here we put up our Christmas tree and it looks perfect. She kept saying how beautiful and colorful it was. Every ornament she touched she was thrilled with. It was a great feeling having the 3 of us together put up the tree.

When we took her to her foster home, I made sure to give her a hug this time. I can't wait to give her a million more!
I wish I could post pictures from our day so that my relatives and friends could share in our meeting, but unfortunatly I can't yet, but as soon as the adoption is final, I will post them.

Today she will spend the whole day with us. We are baking christmas cookies! I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Adoption Milestone Timeline

I decided to take this off the side and stick it into a post since it's so long, but I wanted it to be out there for history. It helps me too...

4/24/2007 - Adoption Orientation
9/22/2007 - Adoption Classes Started
10/6/2007 - Adoption Classes Completed
10/9/2007 - Initial Paperwork Submitted
10/23/2007 - Fingerprinted1
2/12/2007 - Approved for Homestudy
2/29/2008 - First Homestudy Visit
3/11/2008 - Individual Homestudy Interview - Dad
3/20/2008 - Individual Homestudy Interview - Mom
3/28/2008 - Adoption Physical - Mom
5/9/2008 - Final Homestudy Done
5/24/2008 - Mailed the last of our paperwork today!
10/28/2008 - Additional Homestudy Interview - Both of us
4/16/2009 - Homestudy Approved - Transferred to our new SW
5/8/2009 - Matching Meeting
10/15/2009 - Matching Meeting
11/05/2009 - Meeting with LG's workers
11/12/2009 - Chosen to be LG's parents
12/22/2009 - Move in Date

Yeah! We have a transition plan!

Here it goes...
Tomorrow we meet her after school
Saturday we will get her for half the day
Sunday we will get her all day
Monday after school
Wednesday after school
All the next weekend and then she moves in on the 22nd!!!

I am nervous and excited all at the same time. It's a good thing that I washed all her bedding and put them on her bed this morning. On Sunday we have planned for my mom and sisters to come over to bake cookies. LG had plans to do cookies this weekend at her foster home, so it works out great that we will be doing them this weekend as well. That way she won't be missing out.
I am so glad that I decided to make a second call to the adoption worker today. I got the transition right from the maker!!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Little Girl's Room is done


I worked really hard last week after Andy moved out to get Little Girl's room all done and furnished with all the goodies that we have received from the showers we have had thus far.
We were supposed to see LG this weekend, but of course we didn't hear from our social workers this weekend, and therefore our visit didn't happen. I hope to hear from them today. I really hope that we will meet her this week. They told us that they were going to tell her on Friday and give the photo album I made for her of our family. I hope that went well.