One month as a family of 3

Yesterday marked one month of being home with Ella.  We ended up going to a Renaissance Faire with my mom and nephew.  The older kids had a lot of fun looking at things from the past, watching jousting, and even learned a few things along the way.  Ella spent most of the day getting pushed in the stroller with some much needed breaks where she walked around.  We all had a lot of fun and found some special treasures for the kids.  Maria even got to have a henna design on her hand.

 

I have also had a lot of people ask me how Maria likes being a big sister.  Well, most of the time Maria finds Ella to be funny and fun.  She cracks up with laughter when Ella toots (which seems to happen a lot).  She is extremely happy when Ella requests to be picked up by her or wants to sit on her lap.  It is quite obvious that Ella is in awe of Maria.  There are moments where I catch Ella looking at Maria with a bit of hero worship in her eyes.  Then there are times when Maria is frustrated because Ella is touching everything (more specifically her things that are off limits) or Ella is puttin her slobbery fingers on Maria or Ella is crying/tantruming.  In those moments Maria is not thrilled with her little sister.  But those moments are few and far between.  Most of the time we have the silly moments like today when Ella was laying on Maria's legs and saying "tickle, tickle" over and over again.  Or Ella pretending to read Maria's social studies book with her.

I hope their relationship as sisters and friends continues to grow and that as they grow older they will realize how special it is to have each other as sisters.

Bonding

Yes, there is a big difference in Maria and Ella's ages.  Yes, there are times when a crying little sister is not fun at all for Maria (or for me to be honest).  Yes, both girls have special needs.  We spend way too much time in different doctor and specialist offices.  Yes, both girls were considered waiting children.  Neither were chosen by families in Bulgaria to be adopted, none of the thousand plus files waiting for a referral specified a child with their specific needs.  

Against all odds we are becoming a family of 3.  Some days are hard (adopting a toddler in many ways is a lot harder than adopting an 11 yr old).  I feel like I'm juggling a lot of things at once....but it does feel doable right now.  And then there are the moments like these.....

They laugh and giggle a lot.  They tickle each other and make silly faces at each other.  They are sisters.  We are a family.