Sunday

I asked John (thanks, Hon!) to post last night, but I'm (Steph) back now.  Today was another fairly low key day.  We are really working to transition into being Victoria's parents and not just friends.  We have crossed multiple times over the past few days with her, which we expected.  It's a very delicate balance.  We have been teaching her "yes (da), Daddy" and "yes (da), Mommy".  She has also been responding well to "time outs".  The most difficult time of the day is bedtime.  She resists just about everything about it.  I think we're making some headway, but the progress is slow and the effort is intense.  We have been able to get a little more sleep lately, though, which has been very nice.

Jet lag has also taken its toll.  We don't have an abundance of energy and have had to trade off taking naps.  I'm so glad there is two of us.  Some families have done this with only one parent, and it must be twice as hard.

I can tell our little girl is immensely enjoying having a daddy, even more than having a mommy right now - probably due to the novelty of it.  All of her caretakers have been women, and John has been just wonderful with her.  I'm sure it's a nice change.  Who can blame her for feeling that way!  :)  It is a little hard for me that she has a preference.  It's a challenge not to compare myself to ten doting women who all have a decent night's sleep.  I have to remind myself that I'm not only giving Victoria myself, "Mommy", I'm giving her the opportunity to know Christ, something those women could not give her.  It's worth the challenge.

Our day was fairly uneventful with a few highlights.  John and Victoria prepared breakfast (toast, yogurt, granola, and bananas), because I had accidentally slept in.  We had toasted open faced sandwiches for lunch with more bananas (and we found out that Victoria likes milk! - a big relief because I haven't seen much milk used in Bulgaria).  We're helping Victoria learn a few English words: please, thank you, yes, no, I love you, wait, later...  We also have some picture flash cards that we brought out today.  She really enjoyed them, and was pretty good with repeating the English words after she told us the Bulgarian ones.   Victoria also painted some window sun-catchers that we brought from the US, and seemed to enjoy it.  We walked to the Italian restaurant again for pizza and shepherds salad.  The biggest highlight of our day was this evening when we were able to tune in to WCTS and hear our church service at home in MN.  We really miss being home, and the familiarity of hearing from home blessed us.  Everything about it was good!  We are so much looking forward to bringing our little girl home and being a family of five!  We'd love for you all to meet her in due time as well!

I just want to comment on the notes that many of you have left on this blog and my Facebook page.  It's such a blessing to know that you're praying for us and thinking of us.  It really means a lot to us.  Thank you so much!!!

Victoria

One of the views from our apartment window - yes that's a mountain back there

What is it with Daddies, kids and shaving cream?

Looks like fun!

       I took this clip of Jocylin and Cherith before we left.  I thought it was cute enough to share.

P.S.  John did just get Victoria to sleep in record time tonight.  He really does have the magic touch with her!