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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

1 week home

I'm not sure why the last post didn't publish last week.  Sorry for anyone waiting for an update that didn't get one.

Ella has been home a week.  She is currently wearing size 12 month clothing, most recent weight 19 pound and 31.5 inches tall.  Ella is doing awesome!  She pretty much eats anything put in front of her.  She is eating solid foods (which she wasn't doing in February).  She engages in pretend play and prefers playing with her toy dishes the most.  She likes coloring (mostly scribbles, but is using the proper pinch and pocket hold).  Ella does a lot of imitating too.  She talks all the time too, some is easily understood, other words are very much little kid speak.  She has shown an interest in the toilet, much to my surprise.  She is sleeping well and taking a nap daily.  We are working on Ella knowing boundaries within the home and complying when told no/nay and other simple directions.  She is catching on quickly.  She tests her limits frequently, but is learning mom isn't going to let her get away with things that are not appropriate.  

Maria is handling things so well!  She is amazing.  I truly have worried at times about how she is dealing with certain things, but she and I have our talks.  At first Maria was sad that Ella didn't want much to do with her, now Ella has decided that Maria is a lot of fun and should be followed and copied all the time (I think there is a little bit of big sister hero worship going on).  Maria has expressed annoyance when Ella plays specific games like take her shoes off and have Maria put them back on several times in a row.  Maria also has a big first next week....first day of 8th grade!  She is growing up so quickly!

As for me....well, I can say Ella's adjustment is different than Maria's was.  I feel like I am adjusting to having a little one always under foot.  I am figuring out my limits and ways to help Ella learn specific concepts that will make a huge difference.  


Ella

Ella is officially home!  After much consideration I decided it was best to have Ella escorted from Bulgaria to me.  I was lucky that a friend from Bulgaria was willing to escort her and honestly it was the perfect solution for us.  
Ella left the orphanage on August 3 and spent 10 days with my friend in Sofia.  She transitioned very well and quickly showed off how smart she is.
Yesterday she traveled on her first airplane and did very well
We met my friend Maria at the airport and we were finally reunited with Ella.  Ella wasn't really sure about yet another transition and leaving Maria (escort).  The car ride back to the hotel and first hour at the hotel involved a lot of crying and being upset.  She was also very tired since she didn't sleep on the airplane.  After a while she started warming up to us well and all we saw was smiles and giggles.  She does cry if anyone picks her up except me.  
Maria is thrilled to be a sister and Ella is very interested in her too.


And she finally fell asleep