Introducing Joni

I know our daughter has been home now for six months and that most of you have already met her but with her type of attachment issues she really doesn't show anyone outside of the immediate family who she really is.  When we go out or spend time in other people's homes the Joni you see is very shy, will insist on being in my arms, doesn't usually make a sound, and has an anxious look on her face.  She might tolerate being held by you but won't appear to enjoy it.  However you are usually rewarded with a big smile once she is transferred back into my arms because once she is back in the safety zone she feels comfortable relating to you and wants you to know that.  So I thought I'd describe the little toddler who roams our home, as seen through her mother's eyes. 

Joni wakes up immediately upon hearing the door open.  I swear she is vigilant even in sleep.  She is usually quick to smile once woken up.  Joni LOVES food.  She will eat as much as you give her (I learned this the hard way).  She likes to hold a utensil but pick things up with her fingers.  I'm sure this has to do with first year of life being lived in an orphanage but Joni stuffs her mouth full, chews briefly using her front teeth and swallows large pieces whole.  This causes contention between us because although I've taught her to take only one normal bite and to take time chewing she only does this when I'm watching...the second I look away she's back to her old habits.  She is so food obsessed that she will steal food off of Colston's plate when she has a full plate of food in front of her.  Joni is very ticklish but only sometimes enjoys being tickled.  She is very silly and mimics what her brother and sister does.  She likes to walk around with a blankie over her head as Oakley and Colston run away from the "ghost."  Her other favorite is when we play "monster" and I put her on my shoulders and we chase the other two around the house.  She can even make the "maw, maw, maw" noise that monster makes.  She plays very well by herself and can spend several minutes with one toy.  She's smart, she observes everything and makes connections that astound me sometimes.  Joni loves being held by me.  She can speak (if you ask her to say things she will try repeat them) but prefers communicating in other ways or just waiting until someone notices her need.  She can move like a ninja...I swear I knock her over at least once a day because she sneaks up so close to me without me knowing.  Joni DOES not like swinging motions or spinning motions.  She approaches every new experience with fear and crying...water, sand, grass, sprinkler, swings, etc...but then after some continued exposure starts to let herself enjoy things.  For example she HATED the bath for at least a month, cried the entire time, and now she tries to get in right away with her clothes still on.  She likes to laugh, run and scream with Colston and Oakley.  These days she follows Colston around and plays the part of the pesky sister well.  Of course whatever toy he's playing with is what she wants.  Although quiet and shy, she can be fiesty and screech back, swat or bite her brother if he's too rough or takes something away from her.  She loves getting her round of good night kisses.  She loves her blanket.  She is a good cleaner upper and a good helper when mommy needs her to throw away her diaper or deposit dirty clothes in the hamper.  She doesn't like her siblings to sit in her carseat, stroller, or highchair.  She loves her daddy.  Joni likes to dance, bop side to side, and clap to music.  Shes a little stubborn.  I've already mentioned the food issue but another example is going down stairs.  She likes to face forward and scoot down on her butt...which isn't the safest method.  I've taught her to go backwards but she still insists on doing it her own way.  Joni likes attention but at the same time I think feels anxiety if she doesn't know what you expect of her.  She loves shoes and likes to try on everyone's and scatter them around the house.   

Those are just a few things about my daughter that I've observed but I suspect we may see a lot of flux in the next couple of years as she begins to feel more secure, settled, comfortable and able to better communicate.  I'm looking forward to discovering who this little person is at her core and eventually for her to be free enough to show everyone else.