Audri and Pa arrived home a week after we did, and let me tell you I was grateful to have that week to recover from the massive Ukrainian flu strain I had and to move Na into his new “big boy” room.  I also had time to buy some things for Audri–and this was something I couldn’t do for Na when we brought him home since we arrived all together.  This time, it was nice to be able to take the time and make some purchases based on her correct size and preferences.  By the time they made it home the following Friday, Audri’s new room was all ready for her.

I was worried at first, when we met them at the airport, because I wasn’t sure if Audri would remember me when she saw me.  But the instant she did, she was all smiles and it just warmed my heart!  I was so glad things went so smoothly.  Pa said she slept during the entire flight home to Seattle, which explained her cheerfulness at 11:00 p.m.  This was advantageous, too, because when she met Scout for the first time, she smiled and pet him and giggled when he licked her face.  Scout, on the other hand, seemed a little perplexed.  First, he lost his sister and then we bring a new baby home!  It took him awhile to break out of his mopiness.  I think Pa helped with the transition by giving him lots of extra attention, taking him places and letting him sleep in the den on the floor beside Pa when Pa had a bad case of jet lag and kept crazy hours.

Audri seems to be adjusting pretty well though she doesn’t like sleeping alone in her crib.  We’ve tried different strategies–like putting her on our bed until she fell asleep and then placing her in her crib.  On the night after they arrived, she fell asleep in Pa’s arms on the couch in the den, making it easy to transport her to her room upstairs.  I hope she gets over her fear soon.  I hate to hear her wailing because she’s afraid of being alone.  But, oddly enough, she’s perfectly fine when we slip her into her crib and then come and see her in the morning.  She never cries during the night (our bedroom is right next to hers), and she’s super cheerful when we come into her room in the morning.  I guess it’s just that initial reaction of being alone after being in a room with several children for so long.

But honestly, that’s been the only hardship.  Audri is a hearty eater and has pretty much enjoyed everything we’ve put in front of her–which makes her so different from Na who has always been a picky eater.  His jaw hit the floor when he saw her eating tomatoes!  Funny thing, though, is that seeing her try new foods has inspired him to be a little experimental himself.  No, he still won’t eat tomatoes…but he’s often said, “I’d like to try what you’re having for dinner tonight!” instead of having his usual “cheesey noodles”!

We still have a long way to go with little Audri…she definitely needs time to play catch up.  There’s no doubt she acts more like an 18-month old than a nearly 3 year-old.  But I know, in due time, things will fall into place.