Some Short Video Clips - Dancing Queens

Above: Do I sense a break-dancer in our midst?

Yes - You CAN do the Highland Fling to ABBA (in case you were wondering!).

Photo Catch-up

The sprinkler (and hole-y hose) have been the source of much amusement so far this summer:

Yet another manifestation of the Footwear Obsession:

Mei Le and Gus-Gus:

A "Wedding Outfit", conceived by Mei Le, and presented by Ebba:

Six Months Home - Can you believe it?

I almost can't ... tho it does seem a lifetime ago that I crawled off that plane from ETH on Xmas Eve, more exhausted that I think I have *ever* been!

But, time marches along, and despite some really rough days early on (and still occasionally), I'd say we are making pretty good progress at stabilizing as a Family of Four. We have a basic routine, Ebba sleeps most nights through (makes a big diff to my sanity!), and the girls are getting along better and better. Mei Le is really coming into her own as a Big Sister, and now understands how to help keep Ebba distracted when fussy, helps her with dress-up (even if Ebba doesn't want to!), and seems less competitive for attention (understanding that Ebba sometimes needs more attention).

Coinciding (almost) with this auspicious semi-anniversary, was Ebba's 18-mo old milestone. We have to keep reminding ourselves that she's only that old (still a baby, really), because she is just so CAPABLE for her age. She is amazingly physically co-ordinated for her age (we think):

To date, she can:

• Run, skip, dance, twirl;
• Feed herself (sometimes needs a little help loading her spoon/fork);
• Drink from a regular cup;
• "Wash" herself in the tub;

She LOVES Abba Music (a spin-off from Mei Le's former obsession with Mamma Mia), and will point at the CD player and ask for music when she wants to dance. She's even got some cool disco moves!

On the health front, we had our second visit to the children's hosp for the results of all those blood tests they took in April. All normal, with the exception of slightly low iron levels, so we are adding some diff multi-vitamins with iron to top her up. I also think we have amanged to eradicate the dreaded Giardia parasite - last two follow-up tests have been clear - one more to go before we can officially declare victory. Hearing test next week (standard for intntl adopted kids). Then we go back in early Dec for an assessment of development, attachment, etc.

On the behavioural front, she is settling down ... biting is dramatically reduced (with the occasional slip - esp on Mei Le, who is too soft to protest sufficiently to scare Ebba off!), hitting is reducing - and she seems to be understanding that it's not Approved Behaviour, as she will sort-of hit, then look to me for feedback. We are training "No-Hit, Kiss" as I did "No Bite, Kiss" to help her learn appropriate behaviour. I admit to often being frustrated/freaked out by this "violent" beh and the fact that she seems not to learn from my (often very loud) corrections ... but have to remind myself that she *is* only 18 mo old, and may not be ready or able to control her beh well enough to stop completely. Patience, Mom!

Food-wise, she eats most things - tho not always predictably. She does seem to prefer tomato-based things, and spicy things. Yesterday she discovered hummus & pita, and mowed through a bunch of that, repeatedly asking "More?"

Vocabulary update:

• "Helly" for Helen, our babysitter
• "Dus-dus" for Gus, our Pug (who I usually call "Gus-Gus")
• "Water", "Bath"
• "joo" for juice
• "Wok" for walk

So, that's where we are. Will post some new pics in a separate post.

To realize ...

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a motherwho has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.

~ Anon

The Tired Dog

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed meinto my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:

'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. CanI come with him tomorrow?'

~ Anon.