Channeling Paula Abdul

I never could get it straight, was it Two Steps Forward, One Step Back? Or was it One Step Forward, Two Steps Back? I know it wasn't Three anything. Oh, well, I never really was a huge fan of Paula's music. Anyway, I was so excited to post a new blog about what a terrific week we have been having and how attached Meghan is becoming and blah blah blah. Then today happened. Two steps forward and one huge step back.

It also happens to coincedently be the day of our Social Worker's first Post Adoption Visit. I don't think either has anything to do with the other, I think Meghan was just tired after a long week at school. Shes' sacked out on the couch right now and the tv is blarring, I really should go in there and turn it down.

So, should I start with the Good, the Bad, or the Ugly?

The Good:

We had a really good week. We got along, she listened to me and she looked to me for guidance. Instead of letting her run up to people and hugging them we have been saying "family" or "not family." She get's it. She actually shakes hands with people who are "not family" or if I say it's ok, she gives "small hugs." No one picks her up but "family" (and one of Ryan's friends). And it is working. I just need to be vigilant and head her off at the pass. I can tell when she gets that look in her eyes that she is going in for the Big Hug. So I just get down on her level and say gently or even whisper, "not family." She is starting to look at me in question as to whether she can hug or shakehands or even say hello to someone. That was the best part of the week, when she asked me how to greet someone.

The Bad:

Ugh! Today when the Social Worker was visiting. Meghan was stubborn and non compliant. She was whiney and tantrum prone. She bumped into Griffin accidentally and screamed bloody murder. She wouldn't leave Tom's phone or my camera alone. She put the dogs in then out then in then out then in then out...you get the picture. She refused to get off her bike and come in the house when the Social Worker arrived. She was loud and pouty. She tried to hand me her banana peel, I asked her to please go throw it in the trash. She said no and ran with it into the tv room (no food allowed- at least not her food). I had to go get her and then she acted like her feet were stuck in cement and she couldn't walk to the kitchen. All this in front of the Social Worker. Do you think she knew she was there about the adoption and she was trying to make us look bad???? (No, I don't think so but geesh!).

The Ugly:

Hmm, Can't think of anything ugly about our little girl. Oh wait, yes I can. I took her to the dentist this morning and she had x rays. It looks like she has had a lot of dental work done in her short life. About 8 cavities filled. Now, the dentist actually said the work was done well and they used composit instead of metal...but the mere fact that she has had so many fillings they said was due to bad hygiene in the orphanage. We have to wait until her permanent teeth come in to see what we are really up against. The dentist said that one's front teeth and molars develop in utero so it depends on the mother's prenatal care which in Meghan's case is not looking good. Poor baby.

Hopefully, next week we can put Paula Abdul behind us and just take steps forward.