She Always Finds a Way to Make Me Happy

It’s been a pretty busy fall with trying to find our new routine and getting back into the swing of things. I started school two weeks ago, and Lina has been back at full time day care. So far, our transition from summer has been great. Lina is doing well at day care, and we have not seen much regression with her behavior. I, however, am still fighting being back at work, and still like to hit the ice cream stand as many times as possible!

I think that I can speak for most adoptive parents when I say that we are always on the lookout for attachment signs in our children. Even after being home for 14 months, I still don’t think we are there 100%, and still have things that I want to see Lina do (or not do) in order to feel secure. This by no means diminishes the work that we have done over the past year. We have grown leaps and bounds in the attachment department, and signs of continual progress make me rest easy.

The latest in positive attachment signs came to me today, completely unexpected, and after a long day of in-service. I went to pick Lina up from day care, she noticed me, and actually RAN OVER TO ME! She gave me the biggest hug and it was all that I could do to hold back my tears! Never has Lina had this reaction to me arriving at day care. I’ve been looking for this sign for a long time, a genuine happiness that I have returned and a knowledge that I am there for her. Again, this is just part of our continual attachment growth, and I am just so happy that she has gotten to feel this secure with me as her Mama.

I never expected to still be talking about attachment after being home 14 months. Though its been a long road, its also one that has provided me with the greatest satisfaction. We still have miles to go, but to see how far we have come gives me inspiration.

**The above picture was taken over Labor Day Weekend. We spend the weekend camping, and took Lina on her first hike.