The First 48 (or so)

Here's the short version:

-Rough start (The kids got in at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and weren't released from customs until 2 a.m.. Conleigh's orphanage director was not allowed to stay with the kids overnight so when she woke up on Wednesday morning, she was surrounded by strangers. The strangers then transported her to the facility with parents and released her to us in the first group of parents shortly after nine. She was scared to death and didn't want to go to us so we asked for them to find our orphanage director. They found a different orphanage director and passed her off to that person whom she didn't know. She finally went with us and was very unhappy, pointing at the doorway looking for the director and her friends who came from HCH with her. Imagine how scary it must be to not see a single familar face for hours on end at the age of three. She finally did get to see the right director and we sat with her for quite a while, trying to ease the transition. Back to the hotel, more pointing at the door looking for others, and then finally sleep.

-Okay on Thursday all things considered as we traveled home via two flights and a two hour drive. Then we tried a bath on Friday which did not go well. After that, she abandoned me and wanted nothing to do with me.

-Kenson and my folks came Friday afternoon. She really was excited to play with Kenson. Still unhappy with me and preferring D. Avoiding my eyes, screaming and pulling away if I touched her, not letting me even give her sweets or drinks, etc.. Fun times for a Mama who is just thinking "I should be nurturing and comforting and you won't let me."

-Folks left on Saturday and all of a sudden, we enter into the realm of emotional whiplash. Conleigh is 180 differently. Still preferring D but allowing me to be near her, smiling, giggling, making eye contact, telling me to "come", etc.. Played all afternoon with Kenson including a wonderful beauty shop episode that had D, Kenson, and Conleigh using wooden spoons to comb doll hair.

Other highlights
-Kenson is only 6 months older than Conleigh but is at least 6 inches taller. D said today he looks like he's five and she looks like she's two.
-Given the size difference, we both had to chuckle when Kenson tried to ride Conleigh like a horse.
-And the top foods consumed by this new little American? Angel food cake, candy, ice, and broccoli with cheese. Hmmm...