Kozunak

Today I baked the traditional Bulgarian Easter bread called Kozunak. I made two loaves, one for my family and one for my neighbors who have two Bulgarian children.

Kozunak is made from yeast dough, so you start with mixing the basics: milk, sugar, eggs, butter, yeast, lemon peel, and salt:

After adding about 14 cups flour, I got to knead. I love kneading dough by hand:

Then the dough had to rise in the sunshine on the porch:

About 90 minutes later, I turned the dough into two braids which needed to rise a bit more:

And then it it was finally time to bake these beautiful golden loaves:

We haven't tasted the Kozunak yet, but I hope it's as good as it looks.

Time For The Tooth Fairy?

I didn't think that this day would come so quickly, but our little Emilia girl lost her two front bottom teeth today. She took a terrible tumble in the garage and they were as good as knocked out. The ER doctor just picked the teeth up with his fingers and removed them with no resistance. Fortunately, none of her other teeth were impacted and after a consult with a pediatric dentist, we were told that there is no concern over damage to her permanent teeth, gums or jaw. That said, I am so heart-broken that my lovie is going to be missing two teeth for the next few years just when I was so excited about more baby teeth finally coming in.

Lately it seems like we are just moving from one emergency to another. I feel very drained. Emilia and I could use some good thoughts sent our way today.

P.S. One little ray of light from today's ER visit was that Emilia with clothes, but no shoes weighed in at 9.6 kg which is over 21 pounds. This means that she has regained the weight she lost during her illness last month and is back around 20 pounds now. Hurray!

What Happens...

... after big brother pulls out a kitchen drawer? Little sister finds her own fun.

No way to be mad at that sweet face!

Picture Of The Day

I think someone is trying to tell us that he wants to go to the beach:

Me, too, kid! Me, too!

Adopters Are Awesome

One thing that has been a huge surprise to me since we started our adoption journey is how wonderful almost all the people in the adoption community are. It's been such a privilege to make friends all around the world because of a shared experience.

One such friend, Katherine, recently surprised my kiddos with some beautiful hand-knit clothing. Emilia got a fashionable brown skirt:

And Rex a chic sweater:

Thank you, Katherine, for your time and generosity and for blessing my children with your amazing talent.

Emilia - Nineteen Weeks Home

As of Saturday, Emilia has been home with us for nineteen weeks. It simultaneously seems so much longer and shorter. I just can't believe it.

I don't have much to report developmentally though I am certain that Emilia is learning all the time. She has her special way of observing from the sidelines and then tackling the task on her own when no one is watching. She's usually successful. Emilia is less aversive now to fine motor activities, but it's very tricky to get and keep her engaged for a bit. As a parent, you almost have to act as if you don't care whether or not she participates. I am also working on getting her to touch more textures. Shaving cream is a total no, but she loves sand. Evergreens and grass are now okay, but thera-putty and play dough are still hard. Someone gave me a tip of putting the less favorite textures into ziplock bags and presenting them to her that way first, so I will try.

I just love her hair in this photo.

I wish it always looked like this

instead of being a knotty mess.

Monkey see, monkey do,

Now we have climber number 2.

Rex loves to balance on this little rocking chair,

so, of course, Emilia is doing the same.

I am beginning to realize that attachment has made a great leap forward. Emilia used to go into anyone's arms as part of orphanage survival, but on Saturday we were at a big birthday party and she did not allow herself to be held by anyone other than Craig and me. I was telling people not to be offended, but that it was actually a great thing that she was cautious of them.

Yes, our one-sock-wonder can still fall asleep anywhere anytime.

As for eating and drinking, Emilia is back on track and just from picking her up, I can tell she is gaining weight again. She starts to fuss for food when there's cooking going on or when she sees someone else eating. She is especially interested in Rex's food. A few times now she has allowed us to touch some solids to her tongue: cornbread, breadstick, ravioli, but has not eaten them. Hey, I consider it progress.

Emilia still loves to suck her thumb and it is moving her upper front teeth forward now. I guess braces are in our future. Speaking of teeth, I see quite a few new ones peaking out their heads. The rocking has decreased significantly and she actually quite often now just sits me down on the floor and takes my hands to rock together, see-saw style, then doesn't rock at all, but instead just looks and smiles at me. Pure sweetness.

We love our little Bulgarian blessing. She's a wonderful daughter.

Happy Birthday, Opa

If he were still alive, my Opa would turn 90 years old today. I can’t begin to put into words how much I loved him and still do, how much he taught me about everything that’s important in life, how wonderfully he filled my childhood with magic, make-belief and imagination, how he always made me feel protected and heard and special, how much fun he was to be with, and how thankful I am to have had him as my grandfather.

Rex was named after my Opa and my Great-Aunt Else because we wanted to honor them, but more importantly because we hope that he will be even just a little bit like them: resilient, hard-working, generous, wise, patient, and loving.

L to R: Aunt Else, Oma, me, Opa

Opa, I wish you could have met your great-grandkids. They’re a crazy handful and would have had a blast on the farm. Someday I will take them and tell them all about the remarkable people who used to live there. I still miss you so much every day, but I think you already know.