few more pictures

See that adorable little one in the stroller - oh she is so cute - but don't let the picture fool you, she is, um, difficult.  As a matter of fact every China adopted child in our group, outside of Cara, is what I would term difficult.  We have adopted six children now.  Two were domestic adoptions when the baby was three days old. No problems other than the typical baby issues (and, Kevin was sick - but that has nothing to do with this topic - it's unrelated.)  Mia was adopted at seven months old - she was like a deer in the headlights, scared out of her wits and that was very sad.  However, she did not act out with it, she self-soothed by rocking back and forth and after about the 4th day that stopped.  She is 4 years old now and seems well adjusted, time will tell.  Then T'ea was adopted at 13 months old.  She is dealing with food relationship issues that, I believe, stem from starvation when she was very young.  But she generally does not act out.  She is two years old, very, very loving and has the typical two year old issues.  She can be a challenge, but almost every two year old is a challenge, that's why they call it the terrible twos!!  Then there is Breanna.  I have not experienced this behavior on a regular basis in my past as a parent of six kids.  Now, I know we have only been with her 6 days, but this I know to be true: some children do not have these traits in their personality.  She will let her body go limp, she will throw things, she will lay on the ground and scream and she will spit (just discovered this today) and she will yell out at the top of her lungs if she is not getting what she wants.  I've worked through these by ignoring the behavior I don't like and praising the behavior I do like, but in an atmosphere like this it is not made for success.  If she is running into the street, you have to stop her, if she is laying in the middle of a busy sidewalk you have to pick her up.  BUT - as my Mom always used to tell me: just wait until we get you home!! 
So, what is wonderful about Brea?  She will try any food and tell you if she doesn't like it.  She will keep herself occuppied with her small arsenal of toys.  And, sweetest of all, when she is tired, she wants to be held and will fall asleep in your arms.
I believe we will have a well behaved child shortly. I don't mean that we are going to beat the stuffing out of her - not at all.  What I mean is that allowing a child to behave this way is not in anyone's best interest.  It's not good for her, the parents or the rest of the family.  So, it can not continue.  If that means she is in time out ALOT, with lots of praise when she is nice - then everyone will be much happier in the long run.  Until then....sigh.... ....