Still missing in action

Well, we still don't know what's going on with our littlest girl. I asked about her using the russian word for "hospital" and the careworker said "yes." Since it's the weekend, all the people in charge are not around, so hopefully tomorrow or Tues we'll get the full story. We are praying that she's in good hands, and making a full recovery.

We played with little boy today, and even though he isn't very warm with us, he seems okay with being with us. He loves to play ball (as you've gathered) and loves the anticipation of not quite knowing when the ball will hit him. I caught lots of smiles today!

"Throw it!  I'm ready!"

"I caught it!"

Waiting for the ball to fall!

And--there it is!

Big girl was very happy to see us, and jumped into my arms.  I carried her for a few minutes, and she stroked my face and hair for a few minutes, as we cooed to each other.  She wouldn't go to Daddy's arms, even though he tried to get her to.  It was lovely until--you guessed it-- the hair pulling started.  She does stop when I squeeze her really hard and kiss her in her neck.  She loves that, in fact.  I don't really want to set up a reward system for pulling my hair.

She sat with Daddy for awhile, and he wrestled with her a little, and then we tried to get her interested in these links.  She doesn't know how they work, and doesn't care to learn.  She doesn't care much for quiet activities when all the attention isn't focused right on her.  That's why we went back and forth with her sitting on my lap for awhile, playing with my zipper until she got too rough, then back to Daddy.  Today I decided to try something different, and everytime she grabbed my hair, I'd hold her hands and make her stroke my hair.  She doesn't like that, because she's not in charge.  I said, "You want to touch my hair, then I'm going to make you touch my hair!"  So I made her stroke my hair until she was trying to get away from it.  If she's nice about it, I let her do whatever she wants.  She definitely makes a choice when she decides to be rough.  David put it into words pretty well when he said, "It's like she thinks, 'this is too good;  I have to destroy it.'"  I think feeling loved all of a sudden after all these years would be overwhelming.  Why now?  Why suddenly?  What did I do different today that I didn't do before?  It's a lesson for all of us in grace, and learning to accept it.

"These links are boring!"

"No!  Don't make me touch it!"

Remember that tomorrow is our (next) court date. I don't want to be a pessimist, but things never go easy for us. However, they always work out eventually, and we know God works in our lives. We should have lots of character by now! Please be praying for us, and our tiny tots.