When I got home, I found that the boys had been busy! They had installed a new coat rack (at a height where the boys can hang up their coats and hats on their own), put together a shoe rack for the front door area, and bought me these:
It's kind of nice being spoiled by three boys!
We've seen some really encouraging attachment over the last couple of days. Zhenya wanted to snuggle after nap yesterday, and Dima climbed into my lap to read today and stayed snuggled up for quite a while. They spent a good portion of today with Mark since I had to go to work, and they had a great day with him as well. We're happy with the "baby steps" we're seeing, although we've still got a long ways to go. In terms of English, they know "fish", "up", and "toilet" unprompted and will repeat a number of other words. I talked with another family who also adopted siblings last year and she said it was 4-5 months before they were speaking more English than Russian. It's important to note that we have two--they hang on to their Russian longer because they can speak it to each other. And their confidence on the playground...well, I'll let it speak for itself:
7 comments:
Courtney,
Since your guys won't be in school, it'll be interesting to see how their English language skills, as well as their preference for which language to regularly use even with each other, develops. Our kids have been home 4.5 months and they don't speak Russian to one another at all anymore. They exclusively use English now. They've been doing that for more than a month. Our 9 y.o. is more fluent than our 12 y.o. both conversationally and academically. But she also does not remember any written Russian anymore and she has forgotten much of her conversational Russian. Conversely, our 12 y.o. can still write a letter to his friends at the internat.
Mark & Courtney,
Happy New Year to you and your family :-) We have loved reading your blogs. Everyday we check to see how you guys are doing and to see all the great pictures!
Your boys are so adorable!
Monica, David & Aley
www.growingmassiefamily.blogspot.com
Mark and Courtney,
I just love reading your updates since returning home and am praying for you faithfully. I am so glad to read that you are trully putting your family first in the decisions you are making regarding attachment issues with the boys. I cannot even begin to imagine what you and Mark are going through in that regards, but will continue my prayers for you.
Your boys are absolutely beautiful and I hope they will soon come to learn how trully blessed they are to have you both.
We'll be thinking of you all as we pass through St. Louis next week!
What are your plans for schooling for the boys?
I love hearing you talk about 'your boys'. It makes me giggle with delight for you :)
Your boys are ADORABLE Courtney! I am so glad to hear that they are making good progress and attaching well! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year! It was so good to meet you at the Embassy!
It's so nice to hear that the boys' attachment goes well! Thank you very much for sharing your experience - it's invaluable for other preadoptive parents!
I just found your blog and wanted to let you know how great it is! We adopted 2 brothers (ages 3 & 5) from Ukraine in July 2007 so I can relate to your story and what's happening in your house. Congratulations!
Jessica
pauljess.blogspot.com
Post a Comment