Still lovin' on our girl

This morning was busy with phone calls for me, so the kids got to play (ie make a mess) around the house and play outside. We did make a quick trip out for donuts this morning, which is an extra special treat for our kids, and for Nastia, too. She loved her donut! Donuts were a snack, but for breakfast we had yogurt and cereal bars. Nastia loves this!
For lunch we had some leftovers, but Nastia mostly ate fruit and apple bread. We still aren't pushing her if she doesn't like something. I was convinced that she wasn't going to like dinner, but she ate it all and said she liked it. It was a Hamburger Helper Cheesy Enchilada dish with rice in it. And, of course, we had fruit, too!
This afternoon the kids took their crayons and colored pencils and notebooks outside to color for a while. After a while they got too hot, so they were back inside. Lauren and Nastia got to play a few games on the computer. They had so much fun doing this together.
After dinner we went to Walmart...me, Lauren, Franklin, and Nastia. She was so excited to go that she went out to the van before I was even ready to go! She got to pick out a bead kit to make bracelets. I'm going to ask her to make bracelets for her friends at home. She was excited to look at all of the groceries, and kept trying to read my list to me. ;-) She is so super cute!!! She helped me put all of the groceries up on the belt, and then loaded up her arms to bring the bags in when we got home. She is very helpful and takes great pride in helping me!
She is starting to voice her opinion a little. She told Lauren "no" today when Lauren started to do something on the computer that she didn't want to do. She told Franklin "no" tonight when he tried to help her push the cart. She was nice about it, and I was happy to hear her voice her opinion.
We bought Kerplunk at Walmart and that was a big hit with all of the kids.
Nastia was sitting on the sofa working on a word search puzzle, so I went over to sit by her and work with her on the puzzle. Their wasn't much room right next to her, so I expected her to scoot over...but she didn't! This is HUGE! Nastia does not care for physical touch. I don't know if this is a cultural thing, or if it is a Nastia thing, or if she just hasn't been taught, but the kids will hug her and she will not hug back. I try to pat her leg, or back, or arm, or give her a side hug here and there each day, but it is never reciprocated. So...the fact that she sat right next to me and didn't move was a giant step for her.
And now it is time for goodnight kisses! I never thought I would love this little girl this much! She is truly special and I feel so blessed that God has given us the opportunity to bring her into our home, and hopefully into her forever home in the future. God is good!

A funny thought...

Speaking louder...and more slowly...in English...to Nastia will not make her understand you any better. So many people have done this when I have told them she does not speak English and it cracks me up.

She speaks Russian. It does not matter how loud, or how slowly you speak...she still will not understand you.

I've even caught myself doing this a few times! Oops! I think it's funny!

Two-day update

Yes, that is blue in her hair! We did blue streaks of hair spray for the kids for the 4th of July!

Sorry for no post yesterday. Here is the reason why:

1) church and then lunch at church

2) home, Roger played outside with the non-napping kids...I took a nap!

3) swimming at Aunt Becky's house (more on that later)

4) dinner at Grandma and Granddaddy's

5) Fireworks...that eventually got cancelled...and then all 6 kids in bed after 10...and one tired mom.

So, as for yesterday:

She ate two pancakes, wouldn't touch the bbq sandwiches or hot dogs at church, but really enjoyed *chips* (need I say her favorite again???) and desserts, tried a chicken leg for dinner, but didn't care for it, but loved all of the fruit, dill pickles and boiled eggs. I nudged her to try rice krispie treats even though she didn't want to...and she LOVED them!

Once again, church was not a typical service because of the 4th, so she probably thinks our church services are very weird. Maybe next week will be "normal."

Swimming--She told me on the plane with the help of her Russian to English translation book that she was afraid of water, did not want to go swimming, and was afraid she would drown. We were sensitive to this when we took her to the pool. We have no idea why she is fearful of water. Maybe she saw someone drown? Maybe she came close to drowning? Maybe it is just an unknown to her? She wanted nothing to do with it when we got to the pool, but I asked her to come sit on the side and put her feet on the first step. She complied. A few minutes later I talked her into standing on the next step, which was about knee deep. She complied...with reservations. And then I talked her into coming down to the next step that was about waist deep. Again...reservations...holding my hands tightly...but she did it!!! She stood there for a few minutes and then got out. A few minutes later she was working herself back down the steps and I was able to convince her that she could stand on the bottom without her head going under. And by the end...she stayed where her feet could touch the bottom, which is what I prefer, but she kicked around with a noodle, blew bubbles in the water, and had a great time! We had to make her and Lauren get out of the pool, so we could go eat dinner! I am so proud of her!!!

Today I took her to the dentist! I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU TO DR. BRIAN BAKER IN TITUSVILLE, FL!!!!! Dr. Baker is donating his services to Nastia! Her teeth are far better than I imagined. We thought she may need a lot of work, and Dr. Baker was willing to do all of it at no expense to us, but instead she only has a few minor things that need to be taken care of, which, once again, he will donate his services to her. If anyone in this area is looking for a dentist please consider going to Dr. Baker.

We had sandwiches at grandma's for lunch. Nastia ate her sandwich and lots of fruit. For dinner we had leftover pizza and fruit. She stood at my side as I fixed dinner and then served everyone their plates and drinks. I could tell that she really wanted to help. She loves to play with the kids, but she always comes looking for me to see where I am. I love the bonding we have found, and I love the fact that she feels somewhat close to me...maybe it's comfort more than closeness.

After dinner it was time to go play outside. She did the usual...rode Lauren's bike, rode the scooter, pushed Ian in his stroller, and loved being outside.

Lauren and Nastia were playing Uno, but Nastia has asked for something to eat, which she has never asked for before, so I will gladly comply! Soon it will be time for bright eyes, a face that lights up, a kiss on the forehead, and an "I love you." It's one of my favorite parts of the day because I can see how special it is to her.

The ZOO...finally!

We have had sick little ones this past week, so it has been difficult to get out to do anything fun. I think we were all tired of sitting in the house, so we decided to get out for a little while this morning...even though I still have one little one who still isn't feeling well.

This morning we drove out to the nature preserve and walked around on the boardwalk nature trail. The kids loved it! It was cloudy, so it wasn't too hot. We didn't see many birds, or other animals, but everyone had fun pointing out every spider web and spider they could see...including Nastia. Halfway through, Nastia decided she wanted to push Ian in his stroller. This worked out very well because I ended up carrying my sick three year old.

After the nature preserve we drove back by the river. Large bodies of water must be a "first" for Nastia. She was amazed at the river.

We made a quick stop at 7-11 for Icee's and then went to the produce market. We had fruit for lunch and Nastia ate three plates completely full of fruit, and three pieces of apple bread. This girl can eat!!! I love it! She never asks for more food, or takes anything, so I always make sure to continue offering until she says she is done.

We have to give weekly reports to New Horizons, so this morning I had to weigh and measure Nastia. She is 72 pounds and 4'7". She seemed to think it was perfectly normal for me to weigh and measure her, so maybe this is something she is accustomed to.

She spent more time playing outside this afternoon, we ate a quick dinner of more fruit and corn dogs, which she did not like at all, and then we added some chips. I can't remember if I have posted about chips before but...Nastia LOVES chips!!! Really! She really, really LOVES chips! Plain ol' potato chips are her favorite.

Starting this weekend the Brevard Zoo is offering free Saturday evening admission from 5-9pm. With the cloud cover I knew it wouldn't be terribly hot, and Roger was already in the area, so I asked him to meet me at the zoo to take home the two little guys since Miles wasn't feeling well, and Ian would need to get to bed at a decent time. We all walked around together for a little while, but Miles was really not feeling well, so he needed to get home. I stayed with Nastia, Lauren, Franklin, and Ari. We had so much fun! I think the Zoo is another "first" for Nastia. There were so many Oh's and Ahhhh's and Wow's and Wook! (Look!) and complete excitement. She isn't giddy, mind you, but she can show excitement easily.

And now, everyone is in bed. I hear Nastia and Lauren giggling, so I think they need some mama attention! We've already done our goodnight kisses, so it is time for sleep!

One week ago...

...I picked up Nastia at the Atlanta airport. I was nervous, and exhausted, and so excited to start this journey. She was a champ! She was shy, but sweet.
And now...she already feels like part of our family. She loves to play with our children, and help me cook and clean off the table. She LOVES to play outside and ride Lauren's bike, and push Ian in the stroller, and ride a scooter. She laughs and plays and seems so happy! She says, "Yes, please, " and "Thank you," and she knows us all by name. She understands English a little more. The language barrier doesn't seem to bother her too much.
She still isn't fond of hugging, so there are times when I have to tell my kids to give her a break, but I still make it a point to go up and pat her on the back, or give her a quick side-hug here and there. She still loves going to bed at night and getting a kiss on the forehead and an "I love you." She always has the biggest smile on her face when I leave her room.
She can be a big eater at times. This morning she ate a bowl of oatmeal, a banana, and two cereal bars, then yogurt for a snack a few hours later. We had a picnic at the park with pizza and breadsticks. She ate two pieces of pizza, and a few breadsticks. For dinner she ate Raman noodles, several pieces of homemade cheesy bread that she helped me make, and then homemade cinnamon bread for dessert. And then, of course, she was back outside to play.
She and Lauren were elated tonight when we allowed them to share a room. Nastia was so excited that she literally jumped up and down. I had no idea what this would mean to her!
Overall, I think she had a really fun day!

Another great day

Nastia enjoyed her word search puzzles this morning, and we decided to paint this afternoon. She works so diligently on her paint-by-numbers. It wasn't terribly hot today, so everyone got to play outside a lot. She was cracking me up this afternoon. The kids were playing in the backyard and I went out to check on them and I heard her squealing about every 30 seconds. The kids were collecting frogs, and every time she would find one she would squeal. Lauren and Franklin followed the squeals to find the frogs! Nastia does not care for frogs! Neither do I!

We got on Google Translate this afternoon, so I could ask her some questions. I asked her if she liked Florida and she lit up and said yes. I'm so glad she is happy here. I told her I wished we could talk more and she agreed, but when I asked her if it was hard to not be able to talk to us she said "no" very confidently. Maybe it's more difficult for me than it is for her. (?)

We taught her how to play UNO this afternoon. That was a hit! She loved it, so she and I played after the kids went to bed, and then Roger joined us for a game when he got home.

Nastia is a really good helper. She is always quick to help me with whatever I am doing. She cleaned off the table before lunch today...and I didn't even ask. She will pick up toys off the floor without being asked. She even helped me load the dishwasher tonight. I am constantly impressed by her.

She wanted to push Ian in his stroller again this evening. She would stop every now and then and get in his face and smile. He would babble and she would nod her head just like we do. After I changed him and put him to bed tonight she was standing by his crib making him giggle while I got everyone else ready for bed. She didn't pay much attention to him when she first got here, but now I think she really likes him. He, obviously, likes her, too!

After I told her it was time for bed she went in to brush her teeth and then she crawled into bed. I went in to tell her goodnight and as I walked in the door she giggled. I think she was excited about her goodnight kiss on the forehead, eye-to-eye contact, and love. Today was a very good day!

Procrastinating

I know I should check on flights to get Nastia back to Atlanta so she can fly home August first but...

I really don't want to! I hate thinking about her going back and not being here. She has to go back. It is what it is...I don't have to like it, though.