The Princess of the Palace

Well, second night in a row our precious little angel has let me rock her all the way to sleep.  When we first got her she would have no part of being rocked.  Still hard to believe how much she has changed in almost three weeks. 

We have been so on the go that we are just now about to get settled.  Will finish registration for school tomorrow and start her IEP - YAY!!!  Mommy and Daddy get to start the crazy IEP days but I just feel like we will not have any issues.  Ivanna is just so smart she amazes us more and more everyday with her wittiness and charm.  Her and her daddy pick on each other constantly.  It's quite funny.

She got a little more trimmed on her hair this evening now that Aunt Lou was in her shop.

Poor girl has been through it today.  At 8:15 she had her first doctor's appointment.  LOVED the doctor and she like him as well which is very important.  He says all looks good.  She had to he her finger pricked and boy did I panic - but it went NOTHING like the finger stick when in the Ukraine when she screamed and had to be held down by three of us.  WOW what a big girl she was.  Then God love her she had to have three shots to complete her immunizations for school which was surprising and one of those was a flu shot.  She didn't take those quite as well mostly because she absolutely does not like restraint.  Of course none of us do.  But after it was done she was ok but her leg has been really sore.  Tonight after her bath her little eyes teared up and she pointed to her leg and made motions for me to rub it and of course I did for quite some time - every time I would stop she would tell me to do it again.  So you know us, anything for the princess.  Then he also sent us to get some labwork done.  I was really stressed about that.  The stuck her in one arm and got under the vein and didn't get enough blood so they ended up having to stick her in the other arm - very aggravating.  She cried just a little but as soon as they released the rubber band she was very quiet.  One of the nurses gave her four shiney quarters to go get her an ice cream with.  She didn't know what to do with the quarters but mommy showed her.

Of course her little smiles are used everywhere she goes to light up rooms and buildings.  In the afternoons she is usually pretty tired so she can become cranky.  Since she has left the orphanage she does not take naps.  In school first graders don't take naps so I saw no reason to start or force her.  She keeps herself busy with all her baby dolls. 

Tonight for the first time she is in her bed.  We have her monitor on and I'm sure we will not sleep well with her in her room just typical worry.  But one thing is for certain if she wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to crawl in bed with mommy and daddy she knows where to find us.

Well, turning in - been a long day.  Oh and also she LOVES to fold her hands and say the blessing.  Last night at dinner we forgot to say it simply from being tired I'm sure and about five minutes in to eating she folded her little hands and closed her eyes and starting muttering.  Then she will say AMEN - followed by a YAY!!!!!!

Love to all and please remember to say your prayers.

The Stratton Family