June update

We were the only family at the beach this day because it was so chilly. The girls mostly dug in the sand and got their toes wet. We've been back since (on a hot day) and they had a blast! Willow loves to splash in the water, chase after Lily, dig in the sand, and pull her giant noodle around in the water.

Willow has been MUCH better with Gram. One day this week when I dropped them off over there for summer school, Willow didn't cry at all - she danced around their house and laughed. When I left she waved out the window with a huge smile on her face. Wednesday my mom brought them out to Tom and Gail's and Willow stayed far away from Grammy most of the day. For some reason during the hay ride, she cuddled up and was more connected to her the rest of the day. How is it possible they keep having the same expression? Grammy can't even see Willow's face!

Willow was having a terrible time this night - she was tired and crabby out at yaya's house, but we couldn't leave 'til my dad and Ross had the car top carrier put on my car. So Willow walked around crying inconsolably. She wouldn't let me hold her, she wouldn't lay down and watch a movie - nothing sounded good to her. Then Jen grabbed her favorite book and Willow cuddled up with her and finally relaxed.

Willow went to the doctor yesterday for her 2 year well check. She was a rock star! When we walked in she greeted the receptionists with waves and smiles. Last time (three month ago) she had that heavy chip on her shoulder. They could not believe the difference three months has made in her. They brought both girls behind the counter again for stickers. Three months ago Blanca (holding Willow below) asked Willow about her shoes (in Spanish) and Willow took off her shoes, held them behind her back and shook her finger "no no no" at Blanca. This time Blanca did the same thing, but Willow didn't respond at all. I'm thinking she's already lost Spanish, which makes me sad. Willow was perfectly happy until we walked into the examining room. She must have remembered it because she took one look at that table and shook her finger and said "no no no". Everything the nurse wanted to check (ears, temp., etc.) made Willow cry. When the doctor came in, I asked if we could have Lily up on the table and let her do everything first. As soon as the doctor checked Lily's eyes, Willow was pointed to her own eyes and asking to be checked. Same with her heart, ears, etc.

We are very sad that we just had our last play session with Andrew. He's moving to Duluth for the summer and then to Seattle for the school year while his dad does a fellowship in Urology (did I say that right, Christy?). We met at a splash pad in Robinsdale for our last hurrah.

Summer's on

Here's our favorite summer hang-out - The Lookout: We went to celebrate Grammy's birthday last week. It's the perfect place for adults to chat while the kids play. When Willow smooches her lips pucker up like a little platypus. Yaya's joining the platypus club:Beamer was here last weekend and spent the night (to avoid sleeping in a home made lean-to with Alex and Lyle for Alex's birthday). The girls adored her. Willow ran to her all weekend wrapping her arms around Beam's legs. Obviously Lily adores her too, but that's old news. In this picture Beam was trying to get Willow to count to 3. She'd go "ONE... how old are you?" and Willow would yell "TWOOOO!" then Lily'd shout "THREEEEE" and Beam would sort of drop them in her arms.

I'm celebrating the first day of summer vacation home alone! Grammy decided to try keeping Willow over-night during a week she gets to come home the next day, so she's not overwhelmed. For the next 2 weeks the girls will be with Grammy all day Mon-Thursday while I teach summer school. Willow gave me a big smooch goodbye today with no tears at all. I've only called 3 times to check on the situation - papa had to lay down with Willow during nap time and they both ended up falling asleep together. I hope bed time goes better - with adults in their own beds!

Here are some recent developments:

1. Lily moved back into her old room. It all started one night when Willow went "UGH" to Lily in the dark and Lily sobbed so hysterically I thought Willow was killing her in her sleep. I offered Lily to sleep on the floor in her old room in a sleeping bag and she took me up on the offer. I've offered before and she's always declined. Clearly the honeymoon is about over. She slept on the floor 2 nights in a row, but resisted my idea of moving her bed back. After 2 nights of smoother bedtimes, I managed to convince her to officially move. So now, it's been 6 nights in a row of perfect bedtime. Willow doesn't get out of bed or cry and Lily goes to sleep much faster. I've been "off the clock" by 8pm for almost a week straight. I'm glad I gave them those 3 months together - I think it helped Willow learn to go to bed alone and I think it helped Lily bond. They're both VERY happy to be in their own rooms though. The first afternoon Lily just layed on her bed, alone, looking around her room smiling at all her stuff for about a half an hour!

2. Willow has significantly fewer tantrums. She pitched one today in the Walgreens parking lot - threw herself on the the asphalt because I didn't understand whether or not she wanted to bring her sandwich into the store. The average is down to about 1 a day. It's much easier for me to stay calm when I only have to deal a few instead of the steady stream we had initially! I think she understands so much more, so she is less frustrated. She also understands me repeating things back to her and telling her "later".

3. Willow loves Elmo. He's the first character she notices and acknowledges. She cracks up at him on TV and says his name every time she brushes her teeth because he's on her toothbrush.

4. I still email Sandra and Veronica in Guatemala often. On Willow's birthday they sent about 7 email birthday cards with personalized notes from each family member. They miss her, but I believe that ache of lonliness is slowly easing.

5. I laugh at Willow every single day. She is silly and clever and happy. She belly laughs at the simplest things - balloons, tripping as she walks, Lily walking in the room, etc. She sings full volume in the car as we listen to Mama Mia or Wicked. No words, just belting out a bunch of racket to the tune of "Dancing Queen" among other tunes. She imitates every gesture, noise and facial expression she sees. Be very careful what you say around her!

6. If we keep feeling the relief of adjustment at the rate we have in the first 3 months, I can't imagine how great we're going to be doing at 6 months. Willow will always have a hot little temper and Lily will always be fragile - I will always have to work at patience and calm - but we "fit" together in a way that didn't happen immediately. We really do fit together. I wonder if that takes time for all families. Maybe it does.

UPDATE: Grammy just called to say that bedtime was a raving success over there in Brooklyn Center! Lily and Willow are on the floor in side by side sleeping bags in the sewing room. Everybody gave kisses and hugs and layed down quietly. No tears! Hello, summer vacation! This means while I'm teaching summer school and grammy's doing day care, an over-night or two is not out of the question. YEA!!!!!