Today I watched a few different programs on TV with lots of Russian music and dancing, etc. Seemed to be a lot of military people in the audience also so must be "Military Day" specials. Quite interesting! You could tell today was a holiday – like a Federal one…banks and some places closed yet others open. Not many cars on the streets and it was VERY quiet around the apartment!
We woke up this morning with a phone call from "home" (Sarah & David's home anyway) with a report on how the weekend with JJ went (good) and that you got snow! JJ talked to me for a few seconds – the conversation went "Hi Mom! When are you coming home? (me: not for a little time yet) Okay, Bye!" When I talked to David he said JJ previously asked how long until we're home and David said "two or three weeks yet" – JJ said "NEXT week?" No.. Then JJ said "by my birthday?" David said yes – so that will be our reference point for him "by his birthday" (April 8th – and our visa runs out before then!)
Once everyone was up I gave my "men" their gifts –Genya got some cookies and a box of kids cereal - Brian got a Super Snickers and a Kit Kat AND some hot chocolate packets I found at the store! – he's become addicted to Snickers so any of the walking/home cooking weight loss is probably offset by the Snickers! And our walking is WAY less now so we have to watch the calories more carefully! As my friend Judy said tho it's so easy to gain weight here – you wake up in the morning planning your meals! And the treats are all so tasty!! As long as we can zip our pants we'll be fine lol I forgot to weigh Genya again this morning but I'm sure he's put on a pound this week – maybe tomorrow I can remember.
He had slept all night in his bare feet and actually walked a bit without socks or slippers for awhile! Then he wanted to put his sneakers on again so I told him he had to be dressed – he understood that command in English and went to his room to find clothes. The Spiderman sweatshirt is on again as well as the new jeans! Then we put his shoes on and took another link off the chain. There are all sorts of cartoons on today – he likes the very basic sketch drawn ones the best (like vintage cartoons – 1970 and earlier!) And he ate his gift of cereal all morning! It's not as sweet as I thought it might be so that is just a fine snack!
I made Brian and I a later morning brunch – bacon, cheese and scrambled egg skillet… So we skipped lunch. Genya had two hot dogs, banana and yogurt. He's had his fill of cereal also!
We went for about an hour walk early afternoon – even tho the temperature said to be warmer it was quite cold! Couldn't feel our noses mid-way through. We were going to stop at the park with the bigger slide for awhile but Genya wasn't listening real well so we went back home. When scolded he first laughs at you and tries to get you to smile back so you must remain straight faced… Then he feels bad and does a "pouting" routine…but then he accepts our hugs and "we love yous" and he becomes his usual – nicer – self. It's hard to explain the bad behavior to him when we don't speak the same language but I believe that inborn conscious everyone has is the same even when you can't hear the words!
After about an hour inside we went back to the park for try number two and it was better but not great… it was only about a 30-minute stay (and it was cold!). I gave him a snack then thinking maybe his naughty behavior was similar to what JJ does when he needs something to eat and it did seem to work. Then he played with his FP letter/number toy for awhile. I told him it was "Genya's Computer" and this time he liked that and was printing the letters. He would trace them with his finger and then write them in the area – most of the time it was excellent! Maybe tomorrow we'll work on his name a little. We'll see – my idea of things to do and his only match up about 10% of the time! He loves playing with Brian tho – wrestling, tickling… with me he likes to do balloon and the letters…and with us both the TV and DVDs! I wouldn't say he's more "attached" to either one of us but likes to play more with Brian and comes to me for help with things.
While I was making supper he came in and asked me all in Russian something about "po-tom" and "koo-basa" (later, bath) and I said "yes – after supper you can take a bath" – he raised his hands above his head and said "yeah, koo-basa!" Still when we try to tell him to say it in English he just repeats "in English…" so not making the connection yet. I know that will come.
Today Nathan Genya was trying our patience quite a bit – so we have a list of phrases to ask Andrew how to say! We eventually make our point to him but sometimes it takes longer than we'd like! All part of the process…
6 comments:
Happy Men's Day to 2/3 or your men! I hope the time passes swiftly until you're surrounded by ALL three of them.
Testing your patience only shows that he is really starting to feel like your kid! All the children that I know like to do that with parents - never with Grandma though, oh no! LOL
We have to finish our chain so we can start taking down a link each day! Yours is so pretty!
Many greetings from people in St. John's, esp. Ginger B. - she hugged and hugged me when she heard the good news - will ask her son to help her locate your blog now. JJ's cough is MUCH better - did not hear one cough this A.M. so will stop the "awful icky" med. He has cough drops at school if needed. After the DDS tomorrow we will make a quick visit to Dan's and then shop at Target, to use that gift card. Maybe for Legos, his comment on the forklift picture:"I can play Legos with Nathan - I LOVE Legos!" XOXO mom
With Harry we usually say the Russian word, immediately followed by "in english...the the word". It seems to work! At first he'd say things like "Sabaka Dog" and now just dog, and "Zaftra Tomorrow" and now just tomorrow. Try it!
Otherwise sounds like he's just feeling comfortable! Honeymoon phase it over. Harry pushes our buttons constantly, but I learned really quick that I HAVE to be consistent and not give in - ever. It's working so far! Few less meltdowns, and progress each day. The more he learns to verablize, the better he's becoming!
I agree with Grandma E. Children are much smarter than we sometimes give them credit for in learning what buttons work when pushed and which ones don't. Of course those buttons get pressed quicker with our kids than with the grandkids. We tend to be much more patient with those grandbabies.
I imagine Nathan is feeling quite a sense of freedom since leaving his former home and while his boundaries have broadened substantially, there are still boundaries. How blessed you are to have the friendships of those who have gone through what you are right now and can draw on their experiences.
I don't have a chain, but I'm certainly marking the count down to your return. Praying fervently that is soon.....
Carleen
Do you have that Russian language CD by Teresa Kallaher called 'Adopting from Russia'? There are some good basic phrases in there. Will have to email you some of the discipline things.
And it is good that he is testing you! I KNOW Anya will do this - when she gets in these moods where she runs crazy, and I tell her to stop, that is not ok, tht is not a good girl...she laughs. Then Ig et the same face as you are getting - the poor pathetic lip out sad face that comes with some kind of Russian (I can't understand) "bla bla bla mamma...." So, I hug her, tell her I love her but she needs to stop jumping on the furniture...then she asks for a cookie...just one!
Anyway - happy Man's day! I'll e.m. you later.
Hello Debbie,
I sent the 2 translations to dlninmann@charter.net. I'm not sure if you can access this where you are now. If you have a different email please let me know. My email is elena_fillinger@hotmail.com
Elena
Post a Comment