A day ahead and now a week behind

First day home. Neha's initial reaction to animals was both totally intrigued and possibly obsessed with the cat, and hysterically climb to the top of any nearby person to avoid even the slightest sniff of the ankle by any and all of the dogs.  See below the lineup of offenders.

Marlan -pros: loyal companion, gentle, understanding, and loving.  Cons: Sometimes his bark will make you pee a little.

Moxie-  pros: loves everyone, fun, great hair.  Cons:  loves everyone's butts, sometimes too much fun and hair, has a hint of crazy.

Rascal- pros: small, thinks he is a cat, girls adore him, mostly sweet.  Cons:  small and sometimes untraceable ,gets on the dinner table and clears your food before you have even set down. (Neha has started telling on him). Sounds the multi dog alarm whenever he hears anything. Sometimes snippy when receiving too much loving or attention (similar to a new arrival in my house)

Despite the large pack of intimidating sometimes snippy creatures at my house.  Neha was able to "get over it" and was eating within 3 feet of the dogs by the second night.  Notice however she isn't taking any chances of her feet being sniffed while she dines on undah (egg in Hindi) fully adorned in turquoise eye shadow. 

Everyone that knows Lucy knows Julie, her American doll that Santa brought her this year. Well Julie has been the topic of 6 year old conversation for the last few weeks on India. Julie stayed home under grandma and grandpa care and and companionship.  Lucy was so lonesome for her Julie that she couldn't help herself but speak of her all the time. This conversation with Rajeev, the passport airport check guy and a few other passers by had everyone totally confused at how many children we actually had waiting back at home.  Not so good for immigration.

Lucy was able to hand down her first doll "juliana" to Neha.  This first doll encounter was priceless.  It was as if she was looking at her own offspring.  The admiration, affection and care she has for "goulia" as Neha calls it, is precious.  Thank god for emergency hand me down toys and Lucy and Charlotte learning after a full week of tatal tailing, smacking down, and dragging out fights that Neha is not going anywhere.  Thank god for time passing, routines starting to be established, night time baths, Lucy patience with Neha sneaking in her bed at night, Charlotte finally being sweet to Neha, and remembering her name.  (a whole different story, in short Charlotte has been crying for Neha by name for at least a year.  Every time she was sad or in trouble.  After our return, and a few days after we have all been together, Charlotte asks mike on her way to school, "what's that girls name again?". For three days later she called her "new sister".). Thank goodness that is over.  

She is kind, she is loving, she is dramatic with all facial expressions good and rude, she is almost mostly happy (unless being repremanded).  Neha wants to please everyone, she is having a hard time adjusting  to no naps.  She is interested in school. She has become quite fond of Moxie the dog, go figure.  She is a wonderful dancer, she just figured out the concept of playing dress up.  She like shoes and jewelry above all.

She told me she "i lubed you mom" last night in context after I turned out the light.  It seems the rainstorm of our first week adjusting has subsided, and the rainbow is beginning to illuminate.  I am grateful for the happiness in normalcy.  
 

Not too long ago I was a day ahead, I felt exactly that.  On top of things, forward thinking, and well planed.  This last week has dropped me to the "behind a week status". As the laundry ebbs and flows into small and larger piles on the 2nd couch, and my bed is not made until almost 4 p.m everyday, I found myself conversing with myself about being able to except not being completely put together.  Piles of crap everywhere and dirty dishes in the sink, not in my house!  Well not in my house 1 month ago, but perhaps yes now.  It's ok, tekae in hindi.  I was able to right this post, talk to 3 really good friends, hang out with my mom and make a decent lunch today.  The girls, Lucy and Neha are playing perfectly along out at the playground, sand is my friend and ememy I admit.   Everyone is safe and happy.  Life is good. Unpredictable, scary, hard, and beautifully good. I couldn't ask for anything more.   -me, happy mommy

Let's be courageous and face tiny dangers! Let's climb those fences with signs that say don't......beautiful man, im a beautiful women. Find simples pleasures wherever we go. It's the simple things that make us feel at home.

-Amy Kuney

Crazily appropriate.