The three day rule

isn't this just the funniest picture??? We call this the pirate pose---aaaargh!

People always talk about day 3 being the magic day with newly adopted children and I have found this to be true. Even though Amelia came to us happy and smiling, and is the easiest, sweetest baby EVER, still, she did have some melt downs in between the giggles during the first couple of days. I think she feels a little better now, since she has been on the amoxicillan for a few days and has had her first big poop. You know you've become a parent when you excitedly tell others about your daughters poop. Adopted babies are at first, stressed out babies...........And stressed out babies are constipated babies.............And constipated babies are cranky, uncomfortable babies. Amelia wont eat anything solid, but takes her bottles beautifully, so being the crafty mommy I am, I have been mixing some rice cereal and prune puree in the formula. And walaaa! works like a charm.

I wont kid you, becoming a parent for the very first time in a foreign country and living in a hotel "aint" for sissies. You gotta put on your big girl hat and take care of business. But after 3 days, things get soooo much easier! By day 3 you've learned her cries. The ones that mean "I'm just fussing, but if you hang in there a few minutes.......Maybe rub my back a little.....I'll be asleep" or the one that means "Woman...........I need your attention NOW and if you don't pick me up, I'm going to have to shatter your ear drums!" you get the idea. In 3 days, you've also carved out a routine for yourself. You've got an idea about her schedule, have a bottle making rhythm going, and know that sometimes babies cry, and it doesn't mean your doing a bad job when they do. Just means she's trying to communicate the only way she knows how.

We are actually relieved that she can let out a wail when she wants. This means that she has been used to having her needs met. A baby who doesn't have basic needs met will become despondent.................Their like" why bother to cry and communicate with you? you probably wont help me anyway, so I might as well not bother" very sad. Although Amelia is easy going and happy most of the time, she has no problem letting you know if she's hurting or unhappy. Yeah Amelia! Go girl.