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So much has happened in 2 months. When I got my girl she was 1 year and 9 months old. 8 kg (about 17.5 pounds) and just over 70 cm (2,3 feet I think) She was pale, scared and her eyes were curious but looked tired and sometimes empty.

She only fed from a bottle and was terrified of the spoon. She was also terrified of bathing, riding in a car, being outside, brushing her teeth and a lot of other things.

She couldn’t walk and more or less only made sounds when she cried.

Now. She’s about 1 year and 11 months. She weight about 11 kg (24,2 pound) and 77 cm (2,5 feet). She walks and runs. Claps her hands and loves to mimic movements to childrens songs. She loves the bathtub and if she could she would be in the water all the time.

Brushing her teeth took time for her to get used to because I don’t think they ever did that. So every time I brushed her teeth her whole mouth started bleeding. Now, brushing her teeth isn’t the best thing she knows but it’s okay to do.

Riding in the car is just fine as long as we don’t drive too far when she’s awake. She usually falls asleep pretty fast and sleeps for about an hour if I make sure we travel during naptime.

She’s such a happy little kid. She walks around, giggling and clapping her hands. Seems so happy just walking and being. She loves cuddles and kisses, even if the kisses are very slobby so far.

She doesn’t speak at all yet, but understand more and more and uses a few signs. She sings to herself a lot, like the rest in the family. LOL

Being her mother is so easy, and just so “right”. She fits in just perfectly. Or, we fit with her. I keep waiting for the “bad” stuff. For something to feel really hard.

It took some time to find routines that worked for sleep. She falls asleep in my arms or in the stroller, in about 5 minutes. The problem was that she napped too long and therefor didn’t sleep well at night and woke up at 3-5 am. Now she naps about 1 hour and sleeps about 11 hours at night.

She’s exploring her new enviroment. I think I took her away from the stove a gazillion times. But she’s learning fast and knows very well where she’s not allowed to be.

She had a few behaviours that were typical for kids in orphanages. They’re more or less all gone. I thought about it a lot when we got home, but desided that even though she wasn’t hurting herself physically, the behavior isn’t healthy. So, I interrupted her if she did it. Started doing other things with her or distracted her.

I don’t believe in punishments so to get her to stop doing the “wrong” things, I just tell her no, lift her away if necessary or take what she’s not allowed to have. It takes a lot of patients, and it takes a while, but for us, it works well.

Attatchment is tricky, but I think she’s doing just awesome. We stayed home, just the 3 of us for a few weeks. Just took her sister to and from school. Took walks and met people outside, but not in our home. Now we have visitors sometimes, of go visit friends and family and she knows very well who is her mom and who isn’t. I still don’t let anyone else comfort, feed, change or put her to bed. That’s mommys job, for now.

Alright. That’s my rant for now. LOL When I finally blog, I have a lot to say huh?

As a single mom I don’t have much money to spend these days but I will send what I can. If anyone would like to donate to the orphanage please go to www.singeladopt.blogspot.com and use the ChipIn on the right.

Thank you so much for helping.

Well, we didn’t get to pick up the little one fast enough, of course. But when we finally got the call, everything went super fast.

We’ve been home for a week, tomorrow and things are great. The baby got a cold while we were in Bulgaria, with fever and coughing. It’s a lot better now though. She’s playing. Cuddling. Laughing. Kissing. She’s such a sweet little girl.

Now we’re trying to find a life together, the 3 of us. It might take some time, but so far it’s gonig great. Life is really good.

She’s in an orphanage where she’s been all of her life. It’s a short life so far and she won’t remember much when she’s older. But why is she in an orphanage? She’s not an orphan. She has a family, dying to go get her. We miss our little girl.

Please Bulgaria. Let us have our baby girl.

Now, everyday, I’m hoping for the phonecall saying it’s time to go get my little girl.

I have gotten tons of clothes for the orphanage. One suitcase is filled and if there’s any room in the others, I’ll put the rest there.

I won’t have room for more clothes, so if anyone would like to contribute. Use the chipin on this page:  Donations for the orphanage If you want me to use the money on something special, just let me know. Otherwise I’ll buy what the orphanage needs. Last time it was diapers.

I’m sorry I haven’t answered any questions. I’m not ignoring them. I’m just having a hard time finding time for everything. Thanks to all of you who has commented on the blog or sent me emails. They mean a lot to me.

The trip to Bulgaria was great. My new daughter the sweetest little thing, and I can’t wait to go get her. It felt really hard leaving her on Friday.

Now we just have to wait to get invited to pick her up. August is a slow month in Bulgaria with lots of people having time off. I really hope I get to pick her up this year, but I’m not sure I will.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Tomorrow I get to see my new daughter for the first time. It’s a very strange feeling.

I’m supposed to have internet at the hotel, so I’ll try to update as often as I can.