First Experiences

It's very easy to underestimate how many experiences we would take for granted, that Lutaaya still hasn't experienced for herself.  In the orphanage where she lived, she would have washed using a bowl and soap.  The water is likely to have been cold or luke warm.  Since she's lived with me she has used the shower and been totally in awe of it.  Firstly she loves the fact the water is warm and secondly she loves how it magically seems to come from the sky!  This weekend Lutaaya had the chance to try something new and take a bath.  We haven't done this before simply because of time restrictions. It was lovely to know that we had the full morning to take time for her to play and wash in the bath. 

For Christmas she had some 'younger toys' for the bath.  Some play ducks and alphabet set.  So in they go, quickly followed by an eager little girl.

  I think this smile says it all really!

Latr on in the day we went down to my Mum's shop. Lutaaya has loved going there, but today she lay on the floor in front of the mirror.  It made me take a moment to contemplate the fact, she never had time to look at herself in the mirror.  This little girl, 9 years old, didn't have a clue what she actually looked like.  How sad is that?  She has been fascinated with mirrors since living with me and this is probably why.  She loves spending time doing her hair in the mirror and looking at every detail on her face. 

We also had our Christmas photos printed today to put in an album and give some out as gifts.  Lutaaya loved looking at them.  For the first time in her life, even though she has had photos previously, she could now recognise that this was in fact her.  She spent ages reliving each moment over Christmas, talking about it and smiling at herself.  When we went to choose some to give to people she made the statement, 'I don't know which iones to choose as they are all so beautiful.'  She isn't being vain, she is just realising that she is valued as an individual for the first time ever.  I loved it and smiled as she realised her inner and outer beauty.

Worker of the week

Lutaaya came home from school today with a bag full!  I thought the bag had become heavier rather than lighter, and it had, with there being a very good reason for this.  In assembly today, Lutaaya was awarded the 'Worker of the Week' Trophy for Year 5.  How proud a Mammy am I?  My little girl has shown so much committment to her work and learning.  She has sat every night this week to do her school reading books.  She has listened as we've repeated words she struggles on and she has obviously shown willing in school as well.

And so the trophy sits proudly in our bay window for the weekend.  (It has to be returned for next week's winner on Monday.)  I want the world, and Lutaaya to see how proud she's made me, and how encouraged she should feel with her improvements that she has made so far.  Yes, it's going to be a long journey.  Yes, she will take longer than others to retain information.  Yes, we will have to go backwards before we can go forwards.  And YES she is trying and enjoying every moment of learning. 

She can see the enjoyment others get out of reading, so she too wants to learn.  She had her first swimming lesson with school this week, so we've now enrolled her in the local pool for weekly lessons.  She loves the water so this will help her thrive in another area of her life.  I will continue to do everything in my power to help her in her development.  We will continue to play catch up, but you know, I don't care how far behind others she is, as long as I see her moving slowly up her ladder of achievements, then I will always be proud of her attempts.  She never fails to TRY. 

The highlight of the day was tinted with a bad patch, as we had a nurse appointment booked for today for her immunisations.  Lutaaya was very scared going to the surgery.  She stated that she feared the needles.  I thought she may only need one but we had to have three.  Obviously by injection number 3 she knew what was coming and fought against it.  Not something nice to watch, but something essential for her health. 

Due to the trophy award and being brave at the doctor's, I let Lutaaya have a night in front of the TV on the settee, waiting on her hand and foot.  She loved this and laughed at requesting different things to watch, eat and drink, then see me scurry off to complete her orders.  She worried that her teacher may be cross that she hadn't done any school reading, but I explained teacher would understand why she had a night off and I'd write it in her home reading book.  This made her happy.   

I can cook

Since coming to the UK, Lutaaya has really enjoyed a TV programme called, 'I can cook'.  It's aimed at younger pre-school children, but she loves it.  I guess cooking in itself is a whole new part of her life, with her eating such a limited diet for the last 9 years, but seeing children cook, really opens her mind. 
So as a treat, we bought a cake mix set and let Lutaaya become one of those children in the kitchen so that she too could say, 'I can cook'. 

First Day at School

We did a few trail runs at school last week, with Lutaaya going in  for a couple of hours and meeting her new class mates.  They took me by surprise when they showed their excitement to have her in their class.  Every child shouted for joy as they saw her walking in.  They have been prepared for her arrival for the last few weeks.  They instantly made her feel at ease.  Welcome cards were given to her and they all argued over who she would sit next too.  It was adorable and very moving to watch.

So uniform is bought and today is the first full day Lutaaya will do at school.  She looked so smart in her uniform and takes so much pride in her appearance.  She took forever to choose what clips she wanted in her hair for school.

I must admit I was always one of those people who always wondered why mother's cried on day 1 of school.  Now I can totally understand and appreciate this feeling.  Even though you've met the teacher, and you can see the children are lovely in the class, you know she's safe but the underlying thing is:  you're not there.  You're not there to look out for her, you're not there to protect her, you're not there to help her.  You, as a mother, are leaving your child.  In some shape or form, you are choosing to cause another abandonement in her life.  But obviously this time there is a happy ending, as in a few hours time, I will go back to the school and collect my little darling.  I will be there every day on time and stand in the same place, to instill in her that I will always be there for her at the end of the day. 

She came out bouncing!  She absolutely loved school.  She adored being fussed over, she thrived on making friends, she learned that learning and school can be fun.  I am so overjoyed.  No longer is school a memory of strict teachers and embarrasing beatings in front of the whole school, but now school is a good part of her life.  School is going to open a whole new bank of opportunities for Lutaaya and we can't wait to explore them all.