I need to begin today's entry with a story about last night. We were able to enjoy a foot massage at the hotel. While the four of us sat in comfortable chairs, Elsa chose to sit with Dad. No surprise there! It was a wonderfully relaxing hour. I'm sure I drooled. Annika was out cold by the time we were done. And Elsa watched it all from her perch.
We have found that the best place to hang out as a family is the sitting area by the elevators on our floor. There is room to run and two comfy couches. We have spent time there while skyping family and friends while Annika and Elsa play with balloons and play hide and seek behind the couches. I think some of the hotel guests think we're strange for our choice of living room space, but we are foreigners here so we're allowed to be strange.
Today, as the title says, has been a quiet day. We slept late, ate breakfast late, and napped. In spite of all that lounging around, we found time to swim at the pool, shop for trinkets, walk around the neighborhood looking for a nonexistent park, and discover two new restaurants. In the process, we continue to get to know this beautiful girl God has placed in our lives. She loves strawberries and tea. She can slurp noodles like a pro. She is definitely most happy with Dad and around lots of activity. Todd is still baffled by her choice of favorites. In addition, Elsa loves playing games on my phone. What toddler doesn't, I guess. I'm just surprised that she knows her way around an iPhone already! She was able to show Mari how much she likes the pool today. While she took a nap, Todd took Annika shopping on the street. When Elsa woke up and Dad was gone, she was not a happy camper. She called for Baba and jie jie through her tears and only stopped crying when I put her shoes on and headed out the door with her on my hip. If you all could have seen her face when we found them, it would have brought a smile to your face. Too cute.
Later in the day, we wandered around looking for a park to play in, but came up short. We ventured out to a new restaurant, ordered some unknown food and entertained the staff by trying to pick up slippery broccoli stalks with our chopsticks. Mari was popular tonight. She was asked to pose for pictures with a couple of different sets of people. Did I mention that we are clearly the only westerners in this immediate vicinity? We found a cute restaurant that serves amazing teas and the best waffles we have ever had. Todd was a little suspicious of his tea when a few minutes after drinking it, he began to feel a bit light-headed and his lips started to tingle. But, he couldn't stop raving about the place to the wait staff who responded positively by taking out their cameras and taking numerous pictures of our family.
All in all, things are are progressing well. We are so grateful to God for how He is answering our prayers. We love this little one so much and she is beginning to respond with smiles, laughs and playful interaction. There are still sad moments which we know will not go away quickly. But we praise Him for these precious steps toward bonding with us. Thank you all for your prayers. We really do feel that we are being lifted up.
Sister love.
The results of a great foot massage.
Reppin' Wheaton College, thanks to our friends at the Alumni Office.
Slurping noodles like a pro.
LOVES strawberries.
At the pool.
Photo "op" with Mari.
Love that smile.
Loved the tea.
But I think her dad liked it a little more, tingly lips and all.
Awesome waffles.
"Going here again tomorrow."
Loved hearing about your evening. She is so very lovely, especially when she smiles big. I will look forward to the day when, like Annika, smiles are constantly apart of her face. I think its neat that she loves her "baba." Connie was saying she can see Todd making the rounds with his little helper holding his hand. Thanks for taking us along on this amazing journey.
ReplyDeletethat last picture....SUCH a Todd face!! I am living vicariously the joy of this week with you on here. :). The girls all look as if they had been sisters for years. we love you!
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