Expert in Onomatopoeia

Anju and I were reading her "baby's first" farm pop-up book today she got from her sister for Christmas-- and although she would not say the names of the animals, she readily repeated "baa", "moo", "buk-buk" and "neigh". She is starting to nod her head yes when we ask her a question. Before she would say "nah, nah, nah" if the answer was no, but would just keep pointing otherwise. I got some foam winter stickers after Christmas on clearance, and she has had fun making foam picture scenes of snowmen and penguins wearing winter clothes. We spelled A-N-J-U with foam letters on one work of art today and she repeated the letters "A" and "N".

Anju has an appointment at the Merit Care Myelodysplasia clinic in Fargo on Feb. 13th. They bring all the specialists together every so often so that kids with SB don't have to make multiple trips to see neurologists, orthopedic specialists, urologists, etc.

Anju is enjoying playing with the campaign buttons I got at the State Fair this summer. Unfortunately, none of them were winners--but make fun toys! (Anyone need a Fred Thompson bumper sticker??)

Christmas 2008

Solveig and Jonah with some guests who visited us bearing gifts on Christmas Eve.

Anju got the hang of opening her gifts right away.

O Christmas Tree---

Our Family on Christmas Eve

Other updates:

The social worker came today and will visit again at 3 months home, and then finally at 6 months when we can begin the formal adoption paperwork. Solveig and Jonah had fun trying to entertain her. Jonah put on lots of dress up clothes for her. :-) It's been a struggle to keep up with laundry and housework--I've about given up on some of it. Anju is continuing to make progress with her walking and is enjoying snuggling with and playing with her daddy. She loves to play with the Care Bears ball her big brother gave her for Christmas. She loves to see animals on tv--especially dogs--but not so big on animals in real life. We're working on it. I got her one of those books that has fur in it from the library about kittens and she loves to pet the cat in the book and I say, "nice kitty!" so hopefully one of these days she'll transfer the joy to the real cats???

Her clinginess to me comes and goes. Sometimes she gets upset if I take one step away--sometimes she's ok with me in the next room if she can see me--sometimes she's ok with me being out of sight if Solveig or Daddy are entertaining her. Bathtime is the one area where there seems to be little progress. It is a 2-minute screaming event which we try to make as painless (for us too) as possible. I don't think we've ever gotten all the shampoo fully out of her hair. She sounds like a cat being pulled by the tail in the tub. She won't sit down--just stands in the tub holding on to the edge wailing as if she were being tortured. We have tried to make it a 2-parent job when we can for her safety and to speed it along. One can wash her body as the other lathers up her hair. We tried having her watch Solveig bathe to show her how it is done--and that it's not torture. That didn't work. I've tried slow and gentle. Didn't work. The fast and "get it over with" method seems to be the least traumatic. She is happy afterwards to have her baby oil put on and get her warm jammies on. And she still loves us after all the struggle--so I guess we just keep on.

Green Card

Anju got her green card (permanent residence in US) in the mail yesterday. (The envelope was adressed to : "No Name Given Anju, c/o Shawn David" and our street address instead of our PO box, so I'm thankful to live in a small town where such a letter-no last name and incorrect mailing address- is delivered.) She thought it was pretty cool that it had her picture on it and wanted to hold and play with it. It said she needs to keep it on her person at all times. Ha! Anyone got a wallet for one-year olds that straps to their diaper or something?? ;-)

Last night she was walking up a storm. She would stand with one of us and another one would say "Walk to Daddy" or "Walk to Solveig" and she would do it. She took up to 6 steps on her own. We would clap and say "yay" and she really liked that. Her walking is getting better. When she would crawl, we would hug her but say, "No crawling, walk!" and she would usually walk the next time. She follows verbal commands very well and understands much of what we say--even though she finds it hard to express herself verbally.

Our social worker visit for today was cancelled due to road conditions. The kids will be home early today so I need to wrap gifts while my baby sleeps!

What would Dickens think?

Anju and I ventured out to do our Christmas shopping for members of our family who seem to always be with us when we trek to Bemidji--who have their last day of school tomorrow. Because of illness, blizzards, cold, church activities, etc. today was the first and only opportunity for us. It was a perfect day--a balmy 25 below wind chill when we set out and a girl who won't keep mittens on.

Anju is a born shopper. She takes after me more than Solveig!! She even pointed to something for her brother for Christmas (she must have recognized the image on it from things already in our home--but I'm going to pretend she was picking out a gift). We ate 99 cent roast beef sandwiches at Arby's for lunch and there was not a complaint. (Try taking my other 2 there!) There was even a head shake and a "mmmmm" after each bite. Sooooo cute! We were gone almost 5 hours and there were no fits or "episodes".

However, I found myself pretty depressed by the last store. All this stuff! And people with carts full of---let's be honest here, total junk. I'm sure hundreds of dollars of the stuff. While some are in the canned vegetable section saying "79 cents is too high for green beans, isn't there a generic?"---seriously overheard----others are buying $25 plastic, electronic toddler toys that I'm sure their toddler won't play with as much as the box they put it in to wrap it.

Yes, I'm feeling kinda Scroogy maybe?? After seeing the extreme poverty in India, not only am I more thankful for our lives and country here--regardless of the political scene---, but I am also even more disgusted by the excess most Americans (myself included) consider a basic right.

God bless us, everyone.

Sunday School Program Today

Solveig and Jonah did well at their SS program this morning. Solveig sang 3 verses of "Silent Night" as a solo and recited many scripture passages. Jonah said his line each time (Jesus, born for us!) and sang loudly--especially "In a Little Stable." Well done!! Anju enjoyed the program, waving her arms during the songs like a little conductor and doing some of the actions from the fingerplay and one of the preschool songs. She also enjoyed watching the other church's SS program from the balcony, spending much of it in the pew in front of me next to her sister.

Santa Claus Day- Lengby

Anju was very "excited" to see Santa. Not.

Rocking Chair

Anju discovered our rocking chair/glider yesterday when I set her on it to take off her coat. She would not get off of it once she figured out it moved! She laughed and laughed rocking back and forth. Her diminutive size made her look like Lily Tomlin doing her act (hopefully the older set will remember this!)

I've discovered in the past week that she loves The Price Is Right. Not sure if it is the sounds of the beeping, clapping, lights or what--but if she is fussy around 10:00 it settles her right down. Unfortunately, in Feb Drew Carey will go bye-bye.

Anju knows what "night-night" means and protests when I say it and bring her upstairs.

My grandma did have surgery yesterday morning and had plates/pins placed according to my knowledge. Everything went fine--but she has a long recovery in store. My grandma and my grandfather will not be able to go back to the farm--so in addition to her recovery, please pray that this adjustment is smooth for them. Also pray for my mom and family who are supporting my grandparents through this tough time so close to Christmas.

Dr's Office Visit

Anju visited the doctor today, and survived! She was not excited about the visit and was as uncooperative as the older kids were at her age. She is somewhere around 29 inches long (lotsa wiggling so who knows for sure??) and weighed just over 17 pounds. So, she's grown in height somewhere between 2-4 inches (she was measured a few days before we got her at Ashraya at 25 inches, but who know if that was accurate) but has only gained a pound of weight.

We found out from Anju's doctor (who is from the same part of India) that Anju is probably scared of the bathtub because in India the kids most likely just stand outside and have someone pour water over their heads. The standing water, sitting position, porcelain "cage", washcloth/lathering process is completely foreign to her. Also, her aversion to fruit may be because in India they are slow to introduce fruit so she doesn't have a taste for it. She said both issues will come out all right with time.

She has started picking up some of my mannerisms. She did the gesture I do when I say "all gone" to her when my lunch plate was empty today. She rolled a ball with Jonah tonight for awhile and enjoyed it very much--so did Jonah.

Please keep my grandmother in your prayers who this afternoon fell and apparently shattered her femur. She was transported by ambulance to the hospital and may have surgery yet tonight.

The illness strikes back!

I had a sinus infection the week before we went to India. Now this past week I have been battling my dumb sinuses again. It finally got to the point today that no amount of water, saline, steam, chicken soup or (insert your favorite home remedy here) was going to take care of it, so I ended up at the dr's office, where the nurse midwife prescribed me some antibiotics.

I feel truly awful. I'm so tired from lack of sleep and not entirely "connected". However, Anju doesn't care. She doesn't care that Mama needs a break to get well---so, please pray for me as I continue to be her primary caregiver as I recover from this cursed illness.

On the lighter side--while in the waiting room at the dr's office, Anju figured out how to turn off/on my cell phone so it will play her a song. Again, obviously a genius. :-)

Brrrrrrrr---This one's for Mary!

Many have asked how Anju likes the cold. Long story short, she doesn't. She is cold. We are also cold. The temperature has been 15 to 20 below with wind chills up to 40 below. She is very happy to see snow out the window, and I even opened one briefly so she could feel it and she made her "oooo" face and giggled. But it's just too cold to take her out in it.

I'm sure she's confused why I don't take her out every day--since at Ashraya they played outside every day. Today she brought me her hat and coat and shoes and showed me where my coat was. She did the same yesterday. The positive side is that she used to cry to see her coat--so I'm glad that she now sees it as a ticket to leave.

We had progress today, as I went to the bathroom without her. I told her where I was going, and left the door open. She started to crawl after me--but something caught her eye in between the living room and the bathroom, and she stayed to play with it. Of course she could see me, and glanced up every couple seconds, but I finally made my 2 minute bathroom trip without an "assistant".

This post contains nothing of an emotional nature so that my friend, Mary, can read it in her highly expectant state without crying.

American appetite

The verdict is in...when given a choice between American food and Indian, Anju chooses American! Today she had double noodle soup with Solveig and Jonah, while mommy and daddy ate Shahi Rajma (red kidney beans in a spicy tomato sauce) and Bombay Biryani (spicy vegetables and rice). She also has developed a habit of eating the carrots out her food first. She also likes peas. She loves pizza, even cold. She is also developing a taste for candy, especially chocolate.

She just keeps growing and growing and...

A couple weeks ago, our adoption agency sent pictures of Anju at home with us to Ashraya. The staff there commented on how much she has grown. She certainly is getting taller! She is now an inch too long for the size 9-12 months "union suit" that fit her perfectly when she arrived.

Got Milk?

Since we've been with Anju we've been trying to teach her the American Sign Language for "milk." It resembles the hand motion of milking a cow. When Solveig was a baby, she learned it very early on. Sure beats crying! In the last few days, Anju now has begun signing for milk! So even though she doesn't speak more than a couple English words, she now knows an American sign! This has been really helpful in determining what she's asking for!

Pastor Daddy Recognized

Each pastor's kid has a time when they first recognize that the guy up front at church is their daddy, and they decide to announce it during the service. I could tell you stories about the other two kids, but for now I'll just state that Anju pointed and said, "Dada dada" at the beginning of the Midweek Advent service last night in Bemidji.

Anju's First Krumkake!

Some Daddy-Daughter bonding time

Shawn here. I haven't posted since we've been home except to describe the last part of our trip. I haven't had much one on one time with Anju since she's been home. She strongly prefers Amy, then Solveig, and then I'm somewhere down the totem pole. But when those two are both gone, then she'll settle for me. When Amy was at city council last week, Solveig, Jonah, and I kept Anju entertained for over an hour. Otherwise, my alone time with Anju is when Amy's showering. Today Amy went to her office at city hall to accomplish some of her accumulating work there, since she hasn't been able to get away during the day for a while. This also afforded me some time to hang out with Anju. She had me pick her up and take her to Jonah's room, where we found some Little People catapult balls. We brought those to the kitchen and rolled them back and forth. Actually, I rolled and she threw them back to me. She has a great throwing arm- a future a pitcher! She throws equally well with both. After several minutes she found little kid brooms and we incorporated them into the game. Hitting the balls with the brooms. She would roll the ball and I would broom it back to her. After a while she just wanted to be held and carried around the house to look at various things. She became fixated by the falling snow and was lulled into sleep, as I rocked her in my arms. I attempted a couple times to bring her up to her crib. The third attempt succeeded. I gained some appreciation for the physical tiredness Amy experiences while taking care of her all day. It also helped me deal with the jealousy I feel that Anju wants Amy to hold her so much of the time. The other kids took to me right away, but Anju has not had a man in her life for the first year and a half, so she's new to the concept of father.

Weekend Pics!

Our day

Anju had a great weekend. Her grandpa was able to charm her and got some good smiles and playtime out of her. Anju also had her church showers on Sunday and did really well--not being so clingy or scared and making a real good impression. She loved all the kids at St. Paul making her the center of attention. One child did ask if we had "bought our new baby" so it was a good opportunity to talk about adoption.

Today was a tough one. Anju got up at 6:30 and did not want to nap at nap time. I tried all the normal culprits--diaper, hunger, clothes problem, milk, temperature, etc. and just never figured out what the problem was. I followed her pointed finger to see what she wanted and was led to fridge magnets, the inside of the freezer, leftover shower cake (which she did not want to eat) and a magic marker sitting on the microwave. She even wanted to hold a roll of wax paper. So, I figured it wasn't a need--she just didn't want to nap. Or was overtired since she got up so early (she's been getting up around 7:30/8 if the school bus routine of the morning around 6:15 doesn't wake her.) She ended up sleeping only a half hour instead of her usual 2-3 hours.

But when she saw the bus pull up in front of our house through the front window, she clapped her hands and giggled. She was so excited to see her sister!! At the door she giggled again as her sister came in. Then when her brother entered she held out her hand and pushed the air away and said, "nah, nah, nah." So, brother still has some baby charming to do!

High Alert

The Indian airports we flew in/out of are now under high alert. (The article that follows mentions Bangalore and Delhi--I'm assuming Mumbai is also, as that is the location of the terrorist attacks.) The security was so high when we were there --I can't imagine further security measures. We had everything examined multiple times and were patted down--thoroughly. We are thankful that our journey is over, but are keeping our friends/acquaintances who are due to travel soon in our prayers.

Indian airport alert after threat
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7764142.stm)

A security cordon now surrounds most major Indian airports
Indian authorities have put three major airports on high alert after a threat of possible militant attacks.
The alert was prompted by an email purportedly from the Deccan Mujahadeen, the previously unknown group which claimed the Mumbai attacks.
The latest email threatened an attack on the air transport system - security has been tightened at airports in Delhi, Madras (Chennai) and Bangalore.
At least 188 people were killed in attacks over several days in Mumbai.
India says the attackers had links to Pakistan. It denies any role and has cast doubt on the allegations.
Thorough checking
Indian authorities say extra forces have been deployed at the airports in Delhi, Madras and Bangalore.
Passengers are being asked to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight, reports say.
They are being thoroughly searched and all their bags are being opened and checked by the security forces, local television channels reported.
Every vehicle is being checked before being allowed in through the security cordon.

Yes sir, that's my baby!

Last night's Advent service was a circus in my pew. The two older kids were having a marker fight and needed to be disciplined, and Anju kept trying her Houdini act by trying to dive under the pews and crawl away or make it to the aisle to walk up front holding onto the ends of the pews--in true Solveig style. She was also quite vocal--mostly happy noises unless I was trying to restrain her. Sorry, Pastor Daddy! When I got home I felt like I had been juggling for an hour--and I suppose I had! She slept well, though---and so did I.

Anyway, this morning, I was playing with Anju with a Fisher Price star stacking toy. It's like the classic stacking donut set where you put the various circles on the big rocking stick--only this is the updated 2003 version Jonah got for his first birthday that is electronic and plays music when you put the stars on the stick. Well, it took Anju all of 2 minutes to realize that she needed only to press the button on the stick to get the music--no need to place the stars on. So, I must proclaim my baby to be a genius. Obviously this is the only conclusion. :-)

We Three Kids of Lengby Are