Just the Three of Us

There is so much to say, I don't know where to start! We have been home now as a family of three for 5 weeks. Asha is doing so well, and is so very smart! Here is what we have learned about her so far...

Asha likes:

-Our dogs Noelly and Kelso. Doggy was her first word, although, she pronounces it "Doggen!"

-Masala burgers from Trader Joes, yogurt, spinach tortellini, eggs, cheese, bananas

-Bath time! She likes to drink the bath water, ewwww

-Being outside, where she says over and over (even when there are no dogs in sight), "Doggen!"

-Taking off her socks

-Walking, which she learned to do in the past several week

-playing with her food

-rolling and rolling around when falling asleep

Asha does NOT like:

-having her diaper changed

-being in the pack n play

-having her hair combed

-being separated from mom and dad

-vegetables :(

Asha is very sweet, and will give us hugs and sometimes even kisses. Every night as I lay her in her crib to sleep, I tell her "I love you." Lately Asha has been saying la lub la lub when I lay her down, like she's telling me she loves me back. We have been out to eat at two restaurants, and Asha did beautifully. Of course, everyone at the restaurants loved her, and stopped by to say hello and tell her how cute she is. Asha is a character, and loves to make us laugh. She picks up new words and sign language gestures very quickly, and is always impressing us with her desire to speak and learn as much as she can. Asha can sign for "all done", "more", and "thank you". In fact, she signs for all done many times throughout the day, when playing or interacting, or riding in her stroller, whenever she's just about had enough! Asha's repertoire of words includes: doggy, Mama, Daddy, buh-bye, tree, and she's almost got duck.

As parents, Kirk and I are slowly becoming more confident and comfortable in our roles. We feel ourselves connecting and attaching to Asha, and feel her attaching to us as well. Our routines are beginning to be set, with bedtime and morning walks, eating meals together and playing on the living room floor. The initial crisis period of Asha grieving feels like it has passed, or shall I say evolved, to more "typical" behaviors for a 20 month old. Behaviors like tantrums :) Asha is very strong willed, and so we are working on helping her to have the structure she needs to feel safe and secure and know where the boundaries are. We have consulted many, many times over the past several weeks with our caseworkers Jynger and Tami, and our social worker Rachel. They have been instrumental in our feeling solid in the decisions we are making. It's not easy being parents! Mostly because we want so badly to do right by our little girl. We love her dearly, squeeze and kiss her more times than she would probably like, and fall in love with her a little more each day.

Today Kirk, Asha and I ventured out to Red Robin for our second restaurant adventure. The place was noisy and busy, which was the opposite of how we thought it would be. We worried that Asha might become overstimulated. It's important to remember that for the first 18 months of her life, she had never even been outside. I can't even imagine how much she has had to take in in 5 short weeks. In typical Asha fashion, she ate well, waved to fellow patrons, and blew kisses to everyone as we left. A significant moment occurred for me when a kind worker handed Asha a balloon, and I saw the look of awe on her face. I tapped the balloon for her, showed her how to bounce it against her hand, and felt an awe myself, over the incredible gift I've been given to show her the world. For several minutes I could not tear my eyes from her face. Imagine seeing a balloon for the first time. It got me wondering about Halloween, campfires, Christmas trees, snow, all the wonderful, amazing things I get to show my daughter.

My daughter, those words are like sugar on my tongue. I look at her, this strong, resilient, feisty, sweet girl, and thank God she is ours.

Our First Family Photo together, Kirk and I are just a bit jet lagged

Asha in her early walking stage, lunging for Daddy

First swing ride. Those little cheeks are so yummy...

Asha, Grammy and Mommy

The infamous Asha scowl

Asha and Grandma dancing

Look at this girl walking!

Asha and her Daddy

Asha loves her food, and her Indian bangles as well

The cutest toy in the cubby

Our girl loves the slide, and would head down head first if we'd let her

Two California girls

Asha adores the sprinklers at the park

Serious Asha with her raisins

Loving up my Asha