Q&A #122

Are you still calling her Vika to get her attention? Or now that she's home are you saying Kellsey more. It's too bad once you committed to her you couldn't have gotten her care givers to start using the name you would give her. But then again it's all a new beginning for her, right?
We are totally calling her Kellsey now. When Frank got her out of the baby home he would call her Vika and then follow it immediately with Kellsey so she heard both. Got her used to hearing it.

I have a question - how's Kellsey going with the change of name? Are you still calling her Vika or does she understand that she is now known as Kellsey? :)
She does answer to Kellsey now most of the time :). I think she may already have a touch of "selective hearing"! LOL

It kind of looks like Kellsey wears a bigger size clothes then Kennedy does. Is Kellsey still in diapers? Are you guys going to be working on her to be in panties?
They are wearing the same size clothes, but they are definitely a little tighter on Kellsey. If we went to the next size up though, they'd be way too long. Kellsey is in diapers. We have no plans on potty training her in the near future. She needs to get used to us, and English, first.

I was wondering though, do they celebrate Christmas in the Ukraine? If so, Kellsey's orphanage probably didn't do a whole lot about, huh? Does she know anything about Christmas? I bet your probably VERY happy to have her home for Christmas!
The do celebrate Christmas in Ukraine... I'm not sure that the orphanage did a whole lot though. We are very excited to have her home for Christmas!

I wondered if Kennedy is taking an interest in kellsey or no more then the other kids?
Kennedy loves Kellsey very much. She is having fun playing with her, but will still go off and do her own thing, too, especially because Kellsey has NO interest in playing babies yet! haha

I so wish we could adopt another child but my dh feels that a ds child would be too much with 4 other kiddos, since they would be a "child" forever...as a parent what are your thoughts as far as a ds child being harder? if that is even the right word to use, do you see the parenting as harder or just different (like it can be with each child.)?
Overall, it's just different. The medical stuff with Kennedy was definitely harder, but now that we aren't having to deal with that so much, Kennedy is no harder than my other kids. She can definitely be more stubborn! haha But she's also sweet and fun and every milestone is SO rewarding! Each of my children bring their own challenges and joys and trials and rewards with them... and I don't plan on Kennedy or Kellsey being children forever... I hope that they will be able to go out on their own and get jobs and even get married if they find the right young man someday! :) The sky is the limit!

Have you guys taken Kellsey out anywhere yet? Just wondering what she thought of a store, I am guessing she has never seen one before? Can't wait to hear what she thinks of Santa :)
Kellsey has been to church and to Kennedy's therapy appointment and to the kids' school and to a restaurant. She's done great in all those places! We haven't done the grocery store yet. I'm sure she will be in awe! LOL

But seriously, peas? Fish? Cannot wait to give that girl a cheesesteak in January, lol.
LOL Something tells me she won't eat it!

If you're concerned about her nutrition, maybe supplement with some Ensure to give her the things her body needs while she's adjusting to all this new food. Maybe try some string cheese? Good protein without strong flavor and yogurt, too. Does it make you a little crazy to get others opinions? :)
Not really, I've gotten a lot of good ideas I may not have otherwise thought of! :)

I have to ask though, how many time do you call one of the kids by the wrong name? My dad used to do that, he'd call me by all three of my sisters names before he got to mine! LOL
I do it all the time... I especially call Kellsey Kennedy... just because she's small and she's a girl! haha I anticipate that happening the rest of my life! LOL My mom did it to me and my brother and it was just the two of us! LOL