On the 12th week of parenting....

My daughter gave to me....no tears and wanting to flee! Drum roll please...the past week was the first week since coming home with our daughter that she did not cry. Flee actually just rhymed with me so I improvised. She might be planning her escape right this moment. She did tell her Aunt Cici (my sister in law) this morning that she would leave and go do her job for her in Nashville . Hmmm. The point is I think we are moving forward to the land of genuine happiness and dare I say it....security? And YES a couple times during this window of time we had to have some parent/child behavior discussions, and to my pleasant surprise she was able to bounce back without a full on emotional breakdown. Before you light your sparkler and bust out the champs though I feel compelled to admit that Friday (yesterday) actually concluded week 12. It may only have been one week without tears in 3 months, but it feels like a monumental occasion to this new mom.

I'm sure that it had nothing to do with being out of school, getting to wear her pajamas for two days straight, watch movies, play games, and be completely doted on by my entire family. At one point I thought her head would explode from excitement. Her first Thanksgiving was a complete success, with the fun festivities ending last night with the best Christmas movie ever (aside from Home Alone) The Grinch. She did a great job using her manners, receiving the answer "not today" when shopping, and listening to Mr. and Mrs. Buzzkill (her parents). It's amazing how our little family has developed in just 3 months. It's almost hard to remember what it was like the 2 weeks we were trapped in a hotel room in Hyderabad waiting on a signature from the commissioner so we could LEAVE. I've probably blocked it out. Self preservation is good.

I'm so thankful that even at the age of 15 I'm getting to witness growth and change in my tweenage daughter just like any new parent would. I honestly thought these were all experiences I was just going to have to miss out on and chalk up to "that's life and life's not fair so get over it." But to my surprise and delight despite her age we're getting to go through so many of those earlier life stages (that we missed) with her. Yesterday she came home from physical therapy and was able to sit down normally using her prosthetic knee for the first time. I then proceeded to have her show us like 25 times until she gave me a dramatic head tilt back and "Ughhhhhh". We were so excited! I can't imagine what it will be like when she actually bends it to walk. I definitely will be videoing and celebrating like most parents do when their child takes his/her first steps.

Whereas a new parent might also celebrate the first night their child sleeps through the night, I made a mental note the first night she fell asleep quickly and peacefully. Most children that grow up in an orphanage form many self-soothing behaviors as a way to emotionally survive their environment. These kids have to self-sooth because there isn't a mother figure present to do it for them. So as a result many orphans "thrash" or rock back and forth at night literally rocking themselves to sleep. Richa's thick hair....going back and forth.....for 30 minutes....on a pillow.....well good morning Medusa. I noticed this week that she isn't tossing and turning as long before falling asleep now. It seems she's sleeping heavier too. I do have to give a little credit to her heating blanket (compliments of her cold natured Grandpa Billings) and two big dogs for sending me to bed with a smile on my face and peace in my heart that night.

The evening we put up her Christmas tree she asked me if I had a tree in my room "when I was small" which was then followed by a really sweet conversation about why I got her a Christmas tree for her room, which was then followed by a huge smile. Then a few nights later while we were eating dinner she asked me "When you happy?" Ummm.....exsqueeze me? Baking powder? What? You're asking me questions....you're interested.....you're could it be....attaching to the idea that I'm your mom, we are your family, and you could possibly love me/us? I thought about being manipulative and responding with "When you call me mom" but I refrained. Maturity is my middle name.

All the little milestones I thought we would miss are just appearing in different ways, and I'm starting to see that regardless of her age or my age for that matter we never stop learning and growing. Or should I say we shouldn't, but unfortunately many people do. Where is the fun in that? I'm excited for a new day with my new daughter that will hopefully give each of us a chance to do both, and put into practice all that we have learned. I'm also preparing to see tears again by the end of the weekend. (dramatic head tilt back and ughhhhhh)