On A Day in May

Earlier this year our family attended an event that had a lot of movie characters walking around.  Emilia was totally smitten with Anna and Elsa and when they went up on the stage to perform, it was a dream come true for her.  She clapped and danced and cheered and sang along and I could barely keep her in place.  For the final song, Let It Go, Anna and Elsa asked any children who were interested to join them on the stage and Emilia practically bolted up the stairs without hesitation.  Not only that, she confidently took Anna's microphone...

... and sang her little heart out.  I just stood there in awe, tears streaming down my face, watching my little girl with severe apraxia of speech be the most self-assured and assertive that I have ever seen her in a public situation.

Unfortunately, my camera was in the stroller and the stroller was on a potty break with Rex, so I thought I would never ever have proof that this actually happened.  Until today when a friend sent me these pictures which I will treasure forever.

Sisterhood

My girls are like any other sisters.  They quibble daily and sometimes they don't play or share well, but they also love each other fiercely.  I have been told multiple times by staff at their school that when they see each other in the hall or in the restroom, they run into each others' arms and hug and kiss.

Big sis reading to little sis

A few nights ago, we heard Emilia crying in the wee hours. This isn't altogether uncommon as we think she has occasional nightmares. Usually when we check on her, she is asleep even though moments earlier was whimpering.  This time around when I went in to see her, I found both Ella and Emilia snuggled together in Emilia's bed, three blankets piled on top of them.  Emilia was semi-awake and continued to snivel even as I tried to comfort her. After a minute or two I said, "Look Emilia, Ella is right here with you.  She loves you and she will protect you."  Emilia turned her body toward Ella, took one look at her big sister, closed her eyes and went back to sleep.  Talk about melting a mama's heart.

In other sisterhood news, Ella spent quite a bit of time on providing safety messages for Emilia in our driveway.  What you can't see in the photo is that when you get to the end of our driveway where it meets the road, it says the word STOP really big.  Made me laugh out loud when I saw this creation.

And one day I checked in on the girls in their room.  They were sitting on the floor playing some made up game on the Candy Land board.  Ella looked up at me and said, "Mama, please don't bother us."  Okay then, daughters, carry on.

Autumn Afternoon

Family Walk

Emilia's Together Forever Day 2015

THEN - November 14, 2011

25 months old

* malnourished, anemic, failure to thrive, unrepaired heart defect
* nonverbal, unable to eat solids or chew, or control the muscles in her speech apparatus
* spent her days sitting in a corner rocking, sucking her thumb, clicking her mouth, covering her eyes and ears, whimpering inconsolably
* unable to endure physical closeness and affection
* developmentally delayed
* traumatized, sad, scared, neglected, weak

Emilia's first night with us, her family

NOW - November 14, 2015

* a tiny, healthy dynamo
* speaks in short sentences, sings songs, eats whatever she wants, albeit slowly
* spends her days playing, learning, interacting, and belly-laughing
* snuggle bug who says I love you
* developmentally delayed
* happy, observant, funny, sweet, active

Happy Together Forever Day, Emilia.

I will never forget 
what you were like when I picked you up from the orphanage, 

a lost and lonely wisp, a shadow of a child,

which means I will always be thankful for 
and appreciate deeply what you are now.

You are so playful - 
boots, umbrellas, hats and costumes are your daily picks for fun.

You are so funny - 
there's not a day that goes by 
you don't make me laugh with your antics or insight.

You are so loving - your hugs and kisses are simply the best.

You are so joyful - 
you delight in life's little pleasures 
and remind us to be in the moment with you.

You are so beautiful - inside and out.

We love you forever and ever and ever.

Picture Of The Day

Rex and I with Dr. Temple Grandin

News From MOJ and NGOs in Bulgaria

Accredited Bulgarian NGOs and officials at the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice met today to discuss issues in international adoption.  Among the topics were statistics on children waiting for families and registered families, a possible service for connecting with birth families, and compulsory inscription of children into the international adoption register as soon as certain objective, legal conditions have been met.  For details, please go here.

Shoes, SHOES, ShOeS

When you have three kids and two of them are hard on shoes, costs for footwear quickly add up.  Ella especially goes through shoes so fast due to her particular gait which routinely grinds holes into the soles of her shoes.

Bought on 9/25/15 - Hole in Sole by 11/6/15

My finger sticking through the hole
from the inside of the shoe

So, we were thrilled when we came upon a Stride Rite going out of business sale at the mall.  Shoes were selling like hotcakes and we were quick to join the crowd.  We purchased 22 pairs of shoes for $263.20.  That's less than $12 a pair and, according to the receipt, $951.05 in savings. Our kids should be set now for the next two to three years in terms of footwear.  Wahoo!

Our loot

Rex's new shoes - all pretty much the same-
shoes with no fasteners are great for him

Ella's new shoes

Emilia's new shoes - she's my kiddo who'd rather be barefoot