Stimulation Overload for 2 Little Munchkins

This morning we woke up to Tristan crying loudly at 7 in the morning. We both jumped out of bed and couldn’t see him! We looked on the side of the bed, thinking he had fallen off and he wasn’t there! He was actually a full arms-length under the bed! I think he had rolled off the bed (we had put pillows there just in case) and rolled all the way under without even waking up! We got him back up in bed and snuggled with the two of them. Tristan calmed right down and Maya was SO happy and cuddly. Now we have pushed the bed all the way up against the wall.

They were both very excited again when I got out more new clothes for them to wear today. Maya didn’t like it when I put two little ponytails in her hair, but after they were in, she went around saying “Ya kraseevaya!” which means “I am beautiful!” We fed them instant oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. Maya again didn’t want to try it, but after we persisted she took a bite and then seemed to like it. Tristan ate his with relish!

After breakfast we took them for their first stroller ride outside to go to a nearby grocery store. They did great! We stopped at a little playground and Maya did NOT want to get out of the stroller. Tristan did and played for a little bit. At the grocery store their little eyes were very big and they just took it all in. If Maya got too nervous, she would pull her hat down over her eyes. Jeff and I were so happy with this store because we found peanut butter! :) We only have a little mini-bar fridge in the room, so our eating-in options are limited.

At lunchtime we took them out again to a nearby McDonalds. It was a bit trickier as we had to cross Tverskaya street, which means going through an underground passageway, which means carrying the stroller and child up and down the stairs. It wasn’t too bad, but it did make Maya quite nervous and she cried a bit. We had a good time at lunch, we finally convinced Maya to try the chicken nuggets and she ate quite a few of them. Neither of them wanted the potato wedge fries this time. After we were done, we decided to get them ice cream cones. Tristan tried his and made the funniest face! It was too cold for him! Maya on the other hand, ate the entire thing. We had to show her that she could bite the cone.

By the time we got back we were late again for nap. It was a struggle, but we did get both of them to sleep this time. They woke up after about 2 hours and we fed them peanut butter and jam sandwiches with milk and bananas. Maya again took convincing to try hers, but then ate the whole thing. They never had sandwiches at the orphanage, just soup and spoon-fed foods that you didn’t have to chew much.

Swimming this evening was about the same. They were both very nervous at first and then Tristan eventually got in with Jeff. Tristan actually came quite a long way tonight as far as fear of water splashing his face. Maya wanted to stay on the side the whole time.

Bathtime was awesome! They both had a lot of fun trying to pour water on each other. Bedtime on the other hand was not so great, mostly because of the late nap. I started off trying to give them each a bottle of warm milk. Attachment books say to do this because it encourages eye contact and bonding and regression (which, although strange, is a good thing in this case). Tristan did not want anything to do with it. Maya loved it! She really likes milk, so that helped. They did much better with the tooth-brushing today too. Yesterday they did NOT want to open their little mouths for me. Today they realized it really is not so unpleasant. Maya fought going to sleep tonight. We started at 10 and it took until about quarter after 11 before they were both out.