Our First Day Together

Today was a great day but had some trying times.

For obviously reasons it was great. Katerina is with us. We fed her for the first time. Changed her for the first time (and after that to). She giggled and mimicked us...well most Kelly. By bed time she was much more comfortable with us. Bed time, unlike nap time, was much easier and had no crying. She is sleeping now.

She was also clearly frightened at times, breathing heavily to the point of nearly hyperventilating. I can only imagine what is going through a one year old's mind concerning the sudden change of scenery and routine. She cried when we put her in the crib but calmed down when we took her. Finally during her nap time, I slept on the floor next to her crib so she could me. This was after I got her to fall asleep in my arms and put her in the crib. Right now I am typing next to the crib until she is asleep then I will move away. So Katerina knows we are still right here when she needs us to be.

There were also other moments when she cried out of the blue and almost violently. But then would stop within a few seconds. Katerina has been with us a day and already Kelly and I are looking at each other with the "what should we do about this or that" face. All we want to do is help Katerina with whatever is making her cry. Thus far we have been able to relieve the crying quickly. We are happy about that.

Tomorrow is doctor's appointment day. We were happy to learn Katerina will not need any blood drawn tomorrow. She will get no shots or needles. We also put off bath night until tomorrow so as not to traumatize her again today after the change of scenery. We have been told that bath time in Russia is not the same bonding/festive time that it is in the United States.

All in all a great first day. I think we could not ask anything much more.

Katerina and her happy parents would also like to thank all those who had nice words on Facebook and blogspot posts.