Settling In

(Notice the "pucker face" Emeline makes in 2 of the pictures. She makes that face a whole lot--and we have no idea where she got it. It is hilarious. Also, note the picture where she is in the kitchen trying to put on my sweater. She loves that spot. We call it "her spot." It is between the sink and the little kitchen cutting board table. She has a whole room full of toys but often chooses to sit there and "read" her books or chew on the water bottles. The other day I caught her chewing the wood off that little table! Some of the other pictures are of her at church this Sunday. We were also just out and about our neighborhood is some of the pics.)

This has been a good week with Emeline. I feel like we are finally settling in. She is becoming more comfortable in our apartment, and is not afraid to explore anywhere alone—even in the dark. She has also started eating her books if I don’t watch very closely. She’ll eat just about anything if I don’t watch. Usually if she does put something in her mouth she’ll come out from her hiding place and just look at me for a seconds and chew. By doing this she gives herself away and usually after I start yelling “spit it out,” she will spit the forbidden object out of her mouth. Almost always she has eaten paper of some sort. Recently she will do this routine with me except take off running, giggling all the way until I catch her and then she spits the forbidden object out of her mouth.

We visit a local German church or “Gemeinde” on Sundays. This Sunday they had us bring Emeline to the front, and they prayed over her. This was a moment I had looked forward to for some time. It was a great moment to hold her before our German brothers and sisters in Christ who had also been praying for Emeline to come home. There is a picture in the slide show of the flowers they gave us as well as a picture with the church elder who made the presentation. We had lunch after church, which is what happens on the first Sunday of the month. Emeline fell asleep during lunch, and I laid her down on my down jacket on the floor in the corner. All the little children from our church took the opportunity to get a good look at Emeline while she was still and sleeping. They would go in groups and one by one and just hover over her staring. It was too sweet! Those kids are going to be teaching Emeline how to speak some good German.

And…. Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Gerburtstag!!!! (This means literally heartfelt happy wishes on your Birthday in German—it is how Germans say “Happy Birthday!”)

Emeline wants to wish her Aunt Sherie’ a Happy 30th birthday. (Emeline says Aunt Sherie’ is getting OLD—but reminds her mom that she will still always be 2 years older.)

Also, Emeline’s cousin Devon is 7 years old today. Happy Birthday—we wish we were there to celebrate with you…and eat some of your cake! We send you love and hugs from Germany.