The Dance

I’ve heard this term used before and it seems to be very appropriate.  There are moments when I can’t believe how well she’s doing.  Then there are moments when she seems to push us (OK, mainly me) away and seems to keep to herself and I wonder if the bottom will fall out.

Even the most troubling moments are still very good  though.  She has not had any melt downs or out and out tantrums.  She definitely prefers her siblings and her daddy to me but she still lets me give her baths (and seems to enjoy it).  She even held my hand  (initiated by her) on our outing this afternoon.  Just when I think things are going to turn seriously south  something will happen that will turn things around and that brilliant smile of hers will reappear.

I really can’t imagine going through all that she’s been through.  Seriously, our family is considered  weird in our own culture let alone in a culture as different as China.   Her foster father mentioned yesterday how well she adjusts to new situations.  No kidding.  She’s a trooper.  And smart?  Oh my.  On the way home from the orphanage yesterday, she was solving basic math problems on a white board and then coming up with some for the kids to solve.  

Language continues to be our biggest hurdle.  She had a video sent with her from her orphanage and today she pulled it out and watched it several times.  I think she enjoyed seeing familiar faces and hearing her own language.  The funniest  part happened  when they were explaining about the medical facilities.   The nurses would appear and Lily would stick out her tongue and scrunch up her face.  Not exactly sure what to make of that but should mean the medical exam tomorrow is going to be loads of fun.

When we came back from dinner  tonight we pulled up Google translate and asked her some questions.  It’s the first time we’ve used it  (not sure why I didn’t pull it up sooner).   When she heard the Chinese, her face lit up as she seemed to understand what we were asking .  After a while we asked if she wanted to get a bath with Caroline.  She said “yes” and off they went.  From then on it was all bubbles and giggles.

Not too long after they were done we heard hysterical laughing coming from the bathroom.  Seems that Lily was teaching Caroline how to spit “Chinese” style while brushing her teeth.  Still deciding if that's a step forward or step backward :)

It’s definitely a dance.  Sometimes it’s smooth and graceful.  Sometimes it seems to be full of bumps an stumbles.  

I'm just glad I get to be a part of it all.