We Have a New Roommate...

...and she is supposed to be napping, but she is busy trying on my high heels and hauling a huge jug of water around like it is a purse.

Sorry about the ambiguous post yesterday! We did not realize that only the title had been posted!

Alina is doing great, and yes, she is here with us!

With each moment that passes, we are learning more about our amazing little girl.

We have realized that she does not like orange juice, cheese, or salami ;). By the healthy physique on this child, you would think that she does not turn anything down. However, when we offered her these items off the breakfast tray this morning, she was not shy about expressing her opinion. She spit them out with a disgusted look on her face. She chucked the cheese after trying to spit it out, then grabbing at it like we had put a bug in her mouth. We had to giggle. This little girl knows just what she wants and what she doesn't want.

And, who knew that Alina LOVES Eskimo Kisses and that she giggles. A lot.

Other things we have discovered:

She puts on all pants she finds. Including Daddy's jeans.

She likes to dab her mouth with a napkin while she eats.

She thinks it is hilarious when she falls over.

She puts her shoes on herself. On the right feet.

She is easily soothed.

She pats herself on the back when she begins to cough.

Her skin is as soft as velvet.

She likes girly things, but she also likes matchbox cars and sticks.

She sounds just like Bridget when she sleeps.

Some photos from Gotcha Day yesterday:










We had an especially difficult time coming up with what to say yesterday. It was an exciting and emotional day.

And it all hit us at once last night. We have saved a life. This precious little ruby, this innocent child, has been hidden away since birth. What if we had not come for her?

Our hearts are so full and grateful for her and for this journey. At the same time they are aching for the life she has missed out on for three long years, and for all of the other little ones we had to leave behind yesterday--especially the ones with no families coming for them.

At this point, it is all too fresh to write about clearly. We are honestly moved beyond words...

We leave on the train tonight for Kiev. We have a few days of Embassy paperwork and will head home as soon as we can get a flight out :).