We did it, we watched the video!!

Well, we did it, we did watch the lifebook video, and it was great!! It had tons of history of ET, lots of footage of the countryside and people, and lots of Addis itself. There was video of Mia and Gabe coming into the care center and their time there, lots and lots of their time there. There is lots of footage of Gabe playing in the toddler room, riding a bike, throwing balls, crying, and just having fun, plus what for us is his first steps ever(he did not learn to walk until being in the care center so this is bittersweet for us!), and we have lots of footage of Mia in her classes, doing work, singing songs and playing with her friends. There is more footage of the two of them than we have of all of J's first 6 years!!! A and G were rapt by the video, G is not a TV watcher unless it is Mickey mouse clubhouse or Bear in the Big blue house, but he was fascinated by himself, and Mia kept saying "look how funny I am mommy!", "look at Gabe, he is being silly with his friends!", she had a great time. She also loved seeing her friends, even though she does not remember their names very well, but she did like seeing her fave nanny too. Overall I think that is was nice for her to watch the video, but not stressful or upsetting. She did not react badly to seeing the care center or school, friends or nannies, she just took it very matter of fact as a time in her life, just as she would watch a video of herself in Disney or the 4th of July party, for it just is. I am watching her closely to make sure that she does not backslide, but she does seem to have the unique ability to move on with life without wasting it always wishing for the past. This acceptance seems to work well for her and so we will remember her first family and life, but will look forward to the life she will make in the not too distant future and whatever it brings. Gabe on the other hand sadly does not remember any of ET, not really, so Mia is his living memory, but he does adapt as well so it might be for the best if he does not remember and dwell too much. I for one am thankful that he does not remember the long crying jags and kicking/hitting/biting fits he had in ET, even if Mia does(wish I could take away those memories for her too:( . Overall it was a great step for all of us, kind of made me homesick and nostalgic, and it was nice to see the first moments of us all together, great memories all around, no bad moments at all, Yeah for us!!!