Same, But Different

I know a number one rule in parenting is not to compare your children. Naturally, I do. The boys and the girls. My boys are like salt and pepper, different yet they blend well together. With my girls, the verdict is still out yet I can definitely see differences where the adoption experience is involved. For instance, on Gotcha Day. MK was just mad that she was being separated from all that she knew but she was easy to soothe or distract. She played well with the boys, even laughed at them on the first day. She interacted. Maddox was so sad on Gotcha Day. There was no soothing or distracting her, she wanted no part of interacting with any of us. She had/has the largest tears ever and they were just streaming down her face on that day. MK HATED that we chose to give her a bath on Gotcha Day - she screamed like crazy, so loud that Ryan even said he didn't think he could go through giving her a bath everyday. Maddox loved her bath on Gotcha Day. She actually gave us a little smile during that time, her first smile for us. We ordered pizza for dinner on both Gotcha Days - MK would not touch hers, Maddox ate an entire piece. However, MK has proven to be our good eater and Maddox is our less enthusiastic diner. On their first night with us, Ryan rocked MK to bed and she slept soundly through the evening....and she has continued this trend.....the only time she has ever had trouble sleeping has been during her first week post-op. Maddox did well in China with sleeping. However, since coming home, she has her good nights and her not-so-good-nights. And, she feels an urgency to wake up with the sun which, in my opinion, is just too early! MK communicated her dislikes by outbursts of yelling - if someone got too close, if someone did anything she did not care for, she would just say, "ahhhwahhhh" very loudly. Maddox has no time for yelling, she goes straight to the physical approach - hitting or pulling hair. One just wanted her space, the other has a streak of jealousy. Both girls adjusted quickly to their new home. Both adored their brothers - a mutual feeling. Both loved Finley immediately. Both found the stairs to be a challenge they wanted to conquer. Both attached nicely, each had a preferable parent from the beginning. Both love books. Both love music. MK loves ballet - we are thinking Maddox will be best suited for a faster pace style of dance, she has her own style of dancing and it is so cute. MK likes to be right under our feet and has to be given ideas on how to entertain herself. Maddox likes to wander and play with her toys. MK would sit for hours on the steps of the pool. Maddox is all about walking around the pool to find the best pair of shoes for her little tiny feet. MK would lie in her crib talking until we went in to get her. Maddox stands up and cries the minute she wakes up. Both have streaks of independence. Both girls have found comfort and love in their family. We are so glad to call them OURS.