It seems fitting that the month that marks our one year together as a family is July. Anjali got to experience her final big American holiday, 4th of July and we were able to celebrate in a low key way that was a lot of fun. Anjali and her papa started the day by building a White House cookie house that I purchased from Trader Joe's. It was a nice hands on activity that they both enjoyed. Next it was down the street for the kids parade where the kids in our neighborhood got to decorate their bikes, scooters or strollers and parade down the street to Mordecai Mini Park where sno cones and a cotton candy and popcorn machine were waiting for the kids. Anjali got her first taste of cotton candy and sno cones and went on the swings for a while. We then headed home and put some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and had a proper Fourth of July picnic out on our front porch. The highlight of the holiday was lighting sparklers and small firecrackers in the front yard. Anjali squeeled with joy as she moved the sparklers in big circles and 'oohhed' and 'aahhed' as the small fireworks went off.
July was a month of healing and baby steps forward and regression. Anjali was dealing with a lot emotionally and physically and it was often hard to know what was the source of pain and upset that she experienced on a daily basis. She had night terrors at night, slept a lot--some days, all day and had very little appetite. Luckily there were plenty of successes and happy moments as well. Anjali went to her first camp--cooking camp at Marbles museum for a week. She had a blast and made pizza, mashed potatoes, and pancakes to name a few of the creations. It was a good way to give Anjali a chance at independence away from her parents. She loves Marbles and after the first two days, she was eager to have me go away so she could be with her camp buddies and teachers. Another thing that was really helpful was that we joined Lifetime Fitness in North Raleigh. It has a nice pool and kids academy that includes Mommy and me classes. We started off by spending short bursts of time at the pool and showed up for Mommy and me classes like Art and Crafts, Yoga and gymnastics. Next, I left her alone in the toddler section for short periods of time and then when she told me she was ready to play with the big kids, she was moved to the open play area and also began taking kids academy classes while I got a break and a workout in the gym. Anjali also got to go to her first American birthday party that was not her own. She learned the important lesson that you do not just get presents, but you give others presents as well. She got to ride a pony at the party for the first time. Anjali also began swim lessons and continued with physical therapy. Every day she got a little bit stronger. Getting strong and healthy was our family motto for the summer as the year had definitely taken its toll on all of us, but absolutely no regrets.
We celebrated our one year together on July 23rd by riding our bikes to the Destination Dix Festival. It was a really hot summer day and when we arrived we didn't think Anjali would last long, but she surprised us. We found lots of shady spots and refreshing Italian ice. There was an exhibition of city trucks and Anjali enjoyed climbing in the fire truck and bulldozer. The highlight was definitely going on the ferris wheel together. We had to wait in line for about an 45 minutes, but it's something every American kid needs to do at least once. Anjali doesn't yet know about Disneyland or amusement parks, so this was pretty exciting for her. We finished the day by getting some surprisingly delicious Food Truck food, I got a Korean BBQ bowl and Adam got fish and chips. I expected Anjali to like the rice bowl, but it was the fish and chips that she loved. After dinner, we just rolled around in the grass for a while and cherished being a family together.
As I write this last post, it is the end of August and Anjali has just finished her first week of preschool at Arts Together. She loves it!! Being an educator, the start of the school is always the beginning of the year rather than January for me. And it really is the start of a new chapter in our lives as a family of three. This first year together was an emotional and physical roller coaster for our little family. I am amazed when I think of all that Anjali has been through and what a strong, resilient, joyful child she remains even through the many struggles her life has brought her thus far. We are settling into a new normal now filled with gratitude and love. We are so honored to be Anjali parents and filled with joy and pride each day as we watch her grow and live life with the sense of excitement and curiosity that makes Anjali so special. I hope some day Anjali will read this and recall the wonderful memories and even the challenges that shaped our family and Anjali during this first year together. Most of all I hope she knows how deeply she is loved by her family and that we will alway be here to support her. I hope she is always proud of where she comes from and what she has been through, and will use it as a source of strength through out her life. We love you, Anjali.
July was a month of healing and baby steps forward and regression. Anjali was dealing with a lot emotionally and physically and it was often hard to know what was the source of pain and upset that she experienced on a daily basis. She had night terrors at night, slept a lot--some days, all day and had very little appetite. Luckily there were plenty of successes and happy moments as well. Anjali went to her first camp--cooking camp at Marbles museum for a week. She had a blast and made pizza, mashed potatoes, and pancakes to name a few of the creations. It was a good way to give Anjali a chance at independence away from her parents. She loves Marbles and after the first two days, she was eager to have me go away so she could be with her camp buddies and teachers. Another thing that was really helpful was that we joined Lifetime Fitness in North Raleigh. It has a nice pool and kids academy that includes Mommy and me classes. We started off by spending short bursts of time at the pool and showed up for Mommy and me classes like Art and Crafts, Yoga and gymnastics. Next, I left her alone in the toddler section for short periods of time and then when she told me she was ready to play with the big kids, she was moved to the open play area and also began taking kids academy classes while I got a break and a workout in the gym. Anjali also got to go to her first American birthday party that was not her own. She learned the important lesson that you do not just get presents, but you give others presents as well. She got to ride a pony at the party for the first time. Anjali also began swim lessons and continued with physical therapy. Every day she got a little bit stronger. Getting strong and healthy was our family motto for the summer as the year had definitely taken its toll on all of us, but absolutely no regrets.
We celebrated our one year together on July 23rd by riding our bikes to the Destination Dix Festival. It was a really hot summer day and when we arrived we didn't think Anjali would last long, but she surprised us. We found lots of shady spots and refreshing Italian ice. There was an exhibition of city trucks and Anjali enjoyed climbing in the fire truck and bulldozer. The highlight was definitely going on the ferris wheel together. We had to wait in line for about an 45 minutes, but it's something every American kid needs to do at least once. Anjali doesn't yet know about Disneyland or amusement parks, so this was pretty exciting for her. We finished the day by getting some surprisingly delicious Food Truck food, I got a Korean BBQ bowl and Adam got fish and chips. I expected Anjali to like the rice bowl, but it was the fish and chips that she loved. After dinner, we just rolled around in the grass for a while and cherished being a family together.
As I write this last post, it is the end of August and Anjali has just finished her first week of preschool at Arts Together. She loves it!! Being an educator, the start of the school is always the beginning of the year rather than January for me. And it really is the start of a new chapter in our lives as a family of three. This first year together was an emotional and physical roller coaster for our little family. I am amazed when I think of all that Anjali has been through and what a strong, resilient, joyful child she remains even through the many struggles her life has brought her thus far. We are settling into a new normal now filled with gratitude and love. We are so honored to be Anjali parents and filled with joy and pride each day as we watch her grow and live life with the sense of excitement and curiosity that makes Anjali so special. I hope some day Anjali will read this and recall the wonderful memories and even the challenges that shaped our family and Anjali during this first year together. Most of all I hope she knows how deeply she is loved by her family and that we will alway be here to support her. I hope she is always proud of where she comes from and what she has been through, and will use it as a source of strength through out her life. We love you, Anjali.
