Where We Are... Yes, I know it's been nearly a month since my last entry. We've been busy. I'm once again employed crunching spreadsheets. Mama is back at work after a few months of exhausting one-on-one quality time. And Zoe is in fulltime daycare. So, here's where we are after nearly four months home...

(insert shamefully gratuitous portrait here)

Language: Zoe's English is improving every day, enhanced by her time in daycare around other kids her age. Verbally, we understand what she's trying to communicate about 90% of the time. As for the other 10%, we'll try to bring Jesse in for a consultation--he's very good at figuring out what she's trying to say. Or if he's unavailable, we'll just sort of nod in agreement, hoping we haven't just authorized her to get the butane lighter and torch her dollhouse.

If there's a favorite food or toy or activity she wants, she will take the steps to learn the appropriate word so that her intentions are clear, although the pronunciation is sometimes a little off..."Artoon" for cartoon. "Shpoon" for spoon. "Please," "thank you" and "you're welcome" are used appropriately and often. Phrases are starting to morph into sentences ("Papa, more chocolate milk...pleeease?!")

Her receptive skills were there from day one, and she seems to understand 99% of what we tell her. As for the other 1%, I suspect she understands, but just doesn't agree with it. Amazing.

What little Russian language there was is now almost entirely gone; about all that remains is "yo soma" ("I want to do it myself").

Diet: We're still sort of limited to just a handful of foods Zoe will routinely eat. The current #1 food--which must accompany every meal--is chocolate milk. Also big on the list: yogurt, applesauce, clementines (those oranges in the cute little crates), macaroni & cheese, grapes, bananas, breakfast cereal and jelly sandwiches. And a lot of crackers and cookies. Protein is not on the list--peanut butter gets a thumbs-down. Red meat is out. Occasionally we can sneak in a bite of chicken, but for the most part she's a vegan. We're working on variety, but she shows little interest in experimentation.

Zoe loves to go out to restaurants, and will now order her dinner a la carte all by herself, telling the server (while counting on her fingers): "Chocolate milk...mock and cheese...applesauce...shpoon. Please." And she'll order her meals at home the same way.

Activities: Zoe has gymnastics class every weekend and loves it. She's not quite ready for the Olympics, but the Eastern European genetics are there and 2020 is not totally out of the question.

Potty Training: Zoe arrived largely potty-trained; accidents are few and far between. Pull-ups are reserved for nighttime.

Behavior: Four months with us have managed to undermine much of the respect for authority Zoe had in the orphanage. In short, she's now a typical American three-year-old with a 'tude. When she does something wrong, we let her know it, and she shows genuine remorse. Anger and frustration are expressed by throwing things, which we're working on correcting.

The Girly Thing: She's into makeup, jewelry and the like. Males generally don't get as much attention as females, whether it's with our friends and family or her classmates at daycare. No shock there.

Jesse: The occasional turf battles over whether the TV is tuned to (c)artoons or The Weather Channel are largely eclipsed by affection, laughter and conspiring to drive us crazy. More than brother and sister, they are best friends.

Papa: I played the role of Mr. Mom for four days while Sari was away on business. There was a little crying here and there in between phone calls from Mama and she never did grasp the concept that Mama wasn't coming home immediately, but for the most part it went well. The promise of Mama bringing her a present when she returned kept her going for four days and was a major topic of conversation throughout the week. She held my hand when she needed to (although we didn't venture out to any major parking lots) and let me help her into her car seat when leaving home in the morning.

Around the house, she's my best friend. She motions to me or grabs my hand to lead me to whatever activity she wants to do at the moment, whether it's eating, playing, bathing or toileting.

In spite of all the mutual affection, there have been no kisses since the quick peck on the cheek in November (but I can plant one on her without much resistance). At this point in time, it's simply a control issue. She recognizes she gets far more attention by not kissing. And she's more than happy to blow a kiss in my direction if the situation calls for it. Compared to where we were four months ago, I'm happy to take whatever is offered.

To sum it all up, it's been a remarkable four months; our dreams have come true beyond our wildest expectations. I'll try to do better with updates. Promise.

  ¶ 6:26 AM