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"Ciao, Colombia!"

The end of our process in country happened so quickly.  Our travels home were crazy! And our first few days have been quiet, finally getting some time to settle in.  Many times I look at my sweet girl and think, 'Wow, we made it, that is my daughter playing on our living room floor, or sleeping in her carseat on our way back to the house, or enjoying lunch in her high chair in our dining room, or snuggling together in the rocker in her bedroom, or spending our morning snuggling in Mama's bed."  Waking up in the morning and getting to walk in to her room and see that sweet face, knowing that she's going to be there EVERY morning, makes my heart so happy. 

We have taken this first week to simply 'adjust'.  Monday was a LONG day of traveling, lack of naps and lots of changes, really EVERYTHING in her world just changed into something new...except Mama.  So, we've just enjoyed exploring her room and new toys, chasing around the dog (and staring at the cat), enjoying meals in our own house (and a couple lunches out),  spending A LOT of time just playing.  We've ventured out for a few walks around the quiet parts of the island.  Tested out the swing in the little playground (while there weren't a million other kiddos there!) and even stuck our toes into the ocean.  Okay, well, the little one stuck her entire self into the ocean, but it was just a quick impromtu test of the water during a short morning walk.  Ocean water = big win.  She may not be a fan of the soft dry sand, but the wavey ocean water was a huge hit!  Can't wait for our first real beach day!!

First dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

We did have a few weeks in Colombia to begin bonding and J is really settling into the family VERY well.  BUT she also had a HUGE life change over the past few weeks.  Which is why we've been a little 'eclusive this first week home.  In many cases, families 'cocoon' for a bit after arriving home with newly adopted children.  You can read a bit more about cocooning and different ideas, in these other blogs...Natalie Keller wrote a great post here, and Jen Hatmaker (who's entire blog is AMAZING) wrote a great post in response to a question about families 'after the airport'.  It's a great read!!  As we had so much time in Colombia, I didn't feel we needed weeks to cocoon, but I knew that even though I was coming home and sort of jumping back into routine, that J was starting all over...again. And that was going to be tough on her.  She has been so great with all of the changes, but I do see how some things are a little tough on her.  Our first few days she had a very tough time getting to sleep and I think adjusting to being in her own bed in a different room.  The first time she slept in her own bed, in her own room, was literally, the first time she'd slept in a room alone.  That's a big deal for a kiddo who's spent the first three years of her life surrounded by other kids and people. She is adjusting, but we're taking it slow.  She has still been so good, even though I can tell she's off a bit sometimes, she's still super eager to see Grandma and Grandpa (and her uncles) when they come visit and she is really enjoying exploring her new toys, watching the dog and cat in their EVERY move and still loves a good snuggle with her Mama. 

Love playing with new babies!

We will be keeping a low profile through the weekend, even though I'm anxious to get back to church (and anxious to get her there as well) I think she needs a few more days before we jump into such a big crowd.  I know a lot of people are so anxious to meet the darling bunny girl and I am so excited to have some play dates and watch my girl get to meet new friends and enjoy her new life here on our little island.  We are going to start adventuring out a little more starting next week.  And of course, Mama will have to go back to work at some point...which is going to be so hard!!!  I am so excited to be starting our new life together here in such an amazing place with such great people!  I can't wait for everyone to meet my darling girl.  And for her to get to meet the hundreds of people who have been praying so hard for her (and her Mama) throughout every step of this process.

I know I have quite a few posts to catch up on.  (We had some great adventures while we were bonding in Bogota!) and some more specifics on the girlie and how she's been doing.  I will do my best to get them together and posted asap.

In the mean time, here are a few pics of our first few days home...

We stopped for a quick swing during one of our afternoon walks.  The girlie LOVES swinging (which does not surprise me, since she loves such big motion). It was so wonderful to see my sweet bunny enjoying the swings....with a view of the ocean. 

 On our first walk near the ocean, the tide was up so we couldn't really walk the beach, but we checked out the waves splashing on the rocks.  She was not really sure what to think! 

We tried again during another walk, when it was low tide and....

 the first step into the ocean was a HUGE hit!

 

 

We took a quick trip to the store, where she did great riding in the shopping cart (and of course needed a new pair of shades!)  And also went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner one evening.  She loved riding around on her little car, helping get ready for dinner.

I would love to know what they BOTH were thinking.  She has a little bit of a love/hate relationship with the cat.  She really wants to touch her, but at the same time, the cat runs away (and moves quickly) and I think that makes her nervous!  (Which is fine! I'm not sure what would actually happen if she did make contact with the cat!!)  She LOVES watching the animals though and gets really excited when they move from place to place in the house.

Playing 'peek-a-boo' with the 'Peek-a-boo sock monkey'.  She's such a smart thing.  She loves peek-a-boo and loves when she can make the monkey play all by herself.  (And I love her little peek-a-boo hands!)

  

And of course, had to take a first trip to the book store.  She loves to look at all of the books and really can't get them off the shelf fast enough.  I think we'll definitely be making a trip to the library very soon, so we can actually take a few books home!!!