First off, Manny is doing as well as can be expected when you pack up his entire life into 1 suitcase and 1 backpack and move him to the other side of the planet. Honestly, he is doing better than that. There have been more laughs and giggles and dancing than I thought there would be.
I have learned that he needs his own stuff – clothes, toys, books – stuff. He needs to feel as if he has things that are all his own. I have learned that Mikey needs some time away. He loves his brother dearly but sharing everything every waking moment gets really old really quickly. I have learned that it will be a day by day process to teach “gentle” and “no hit” but it will get easier. I have started to learn what trips meltdowns and I have learned just how bad those meltdowns can be. I have learned how hard those meltdowns are on the other kids because they don't understand and don't know what to do to help.
I have learned that Manny loves roller skating and he is a speed demon! I thought he'd be hesitant to try something he's never done before and at a loud, sometimes dark, chaotic roller rink but nope, this kid went all in even with the bumps and bruises he got.
I also watched this little guy get painfully shy when oodles of loving people wanted to say hi at church and I watched him try to get a handle on it by hanging on to his Spider-man figurine like it would come save him.
He is learning every day, we are learning every day, how to function as a family of 6. The kitchen is finally getting back in order and the laundry is almost caught up. We are trying to figure out our new normal. I will try to post consistently since so many folks have said they are following our story. Have patience if I don't quite make it. Quiet is a little hard to come by these days. :)
