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.