Lots of new things to learn

So I will say, we have been mentally preparing ourselves to adopt a toddler for almost three years. We did not have any desire to adopt and infant again. We were thrilled to have the experience with Emerson so that we could watch all the stages of development a young child takes. We also acknowledged that there were many "older" kids in the world who also needed parents to open the hearts to them.

Now, here we are with a new three year old, but there are things to take into consideration. For instance while Isaac is about 3 years and 6 months old (I say about because his birth date is an estimate) there are factors that make him seem much younger. When we traveled here we fully expected his development to be where Emerson was this time last year and we were right. The biggest delays come from life in an institution. They say that for every 4 months in an institution a child is one month delayed. Isaac spent 33 months in an orphanage so you subtract 8 months. Then you add in time in an extremely stressful environment in his last home, where little to no intellectual stimulus was provided and he was actually medicated into submission. The next set back was his cleft palate was huge and not repaired until January so he has only had the chance to learn to form most sounds since then. Add to that he had significant hearing loss due to fluid in his ears that was also only corrected this January.

What amazes me is that despite all of this, he is now running, laughing, saying many "words" loving story time, climbing towers and giving hugs. The resilience of this age is amazing. I fully expect him to catch up over the next two years.

Now the tricky part for us in learning how to manage to two of them. Here are some observations that I thought would be good to note during these early days of parenting twins:

1. For now when onlookers ask if they are twins, I simply answer yes. Not necessarily to avoid the question but because one of them is usually running off and the conversation must end.

2. I have learned that Isaac sticks close to me (for now) As a result, I must put Emerson in his car seat, then put Isaac in. The same is true for unloading. Isaac gets out first, then Emerson.

3. Emerson is a quick study. Isaac eats like an orphan. He gobbles every grain of food. If some falls off his plate he quickly gets it for fear of me throwing it away. I am told that he will eat until he throws up, so I must moderate his intake because he will not. Emerson on the other hand is on the nomad diet. He eats a bite, wonders around a bit then takes another bite. Today at lunch, I told Emerson he could not go swimming unless he cleared his plate. He said "here you go Isaac" and Ta Da plate was cleared. Both boys were very happy with themselves for this mutually beneficial relationship.

4. Little boys in a small hotel room can make walls start closing in.

5. Both boys last night refused to take their shoes off at bed time. Isaac told me again last night that he wanted to go "home" I had to explain that that was not an option and why. We cuddled a long time and then he was Ok with staying. Then Emerson did the same thing. Why? I asked, "Because I want to show Isaac my Choo, Choo trains and take him to meet Mimi."

6. A parent of multiples must always carry a hands free bag with many goodies at all times.

7. Swimming with the two of them without John around is going to be interesting. Fortunately Isaac holds on. Emerson on the other hand will tell me through bubbling gurgling noise that he does not want my help.

I am sure many more revelation will surface as we move into the new normal. What I know mostly is that John and I are two luck people for having such wonderful boys wonder into our lives. We feel that Emerson chose us three years ago in Uralsk, Kazakshtan while we were chosen especial for Isaac. I hope that they feel the same way when they grow up.

For now we are still in Texas and wondering why Isaac was not in Vermont. We will hopefully hear back about whether we have permission to leave. Unfortunately our social worker will no be in her office until 12:00 so the earliest will will get to leave will probably be Tuesday morning. I am ready to go back home.