Now That We're Home

We've been home for two days now.  It's still hard to believe the journey we've been on since leaving home a little more than two weeks ago!  Emalyn is settling in at home.  She's very happy during the day, but we are stuggling with nighttime sleep.  I think it's a mixture of the journey she's been on, confusion about us and whether or not this is permanent, and jet lag.  Our first night home, she went to sleep very easily, but woke up crying three hours later and was wide awake for three hours.  When she finally went back to sleep it was 3:30 am.  Adair was also up and hungry not long after Emalyn, so I think all of the sleep on the plane probably contributed to their wakefulness.  I got up at 10:00 am yesterday and the rest of my precious family (including Hank) slept until almost 1:00 pm!  It's become a mad cycle because after sleeping so late, bedtime came late and difficult for both girls last night.  Emalyn slept for about an hour and a half after going down, then started the same routine as the night before.  She woke up about 11:30 pm and didn't go back to sleep until 3:30 am.  Adair was up again around 2:00 am.  Today, we got up earlier, but we are obviously going to be adjusting to the time difference and figuring out Emalyn's sleep patterns and needs for a while.  Tonight we decided to try giving the girls a little melotonin before bed to help them sleep through the night...so far, so good, but it's only 10:00 pm. 

During the day, we have had fun just playing around the house, unpacking and doing laundry (okay, not so fun).  We have almost finished all of the chores associated with two week long travel.  Adair continues to be a great and very sweet big sister.  Emalyn has been going to sleep in their room, but spending most of the night (after waking up) in our room.  Adair longs for her to be in their room all night.  She wants to see her the second she wakes up and has enjoyed showing her their toys and how they work.  Today they played instruments and went out to swing together.  Emalyn loved the noisy instruments, but wasn't too fond of swinging in the baby swing.  When I put her in my lap to swing a little, she felt more secure and seemed to enjoy it.

Playing the drum and bells.

The leader of the band.

Swinging with Mommy.

She continues to be very attached to me and doesn't like for me to get out of her site.  She isn't very fond of our cat, Eleanor, and screams when she comes into the room.  You can tell she is curious about her, but still afraid of her.  I imagine Eleanor is the first cat she's ever seen.  She loves to play with Adair, but has regressed greatly in allowing Hank to hold her and take care of her.  We are working to be intentional about her attachment to both of us, and we realize that her attachment to me should be foremost, but it is hard to see her basically rejecting her daddy. 

Please pray for her to rest, to learn to trust us more everyday and for her to improve daily in her fondness of Hank.  Pray also for Hank, as it is hard on him emotionally for her to cry and hide when he comes close.  Pray that we will love her, nuture her and care for her with wisdom and in just the way that she needs. 

Thank you for continuing to support us in this journey and transition.  If we don't respond to an email or phone call, forgive us.  We will eventually settle in and regain our ability to communicate well with friends.