A week after stepping foot on land, glorious land, we are beginning to recover from jet lag, sleeping when we’re supposed to and waking up when it’s time. Like, in the middle of the night when Eliana is howling to be fed. But enough about us, on to the Princess.

One of the most enjoyable things about parenting Eliana is watching her “come alive” as she adjusts to life in a family. Handed to us three weeks ago was a weak and catatonic little girl – no crying, little movement, no expression. Lately she has been holding her head upright, kicking up a storm, smiling, and giggling (which amounts to a wide open mouth with no sound - okay, sometimes a squeak). Three weeks ago, she was drinking two measly ounces at a feeding but now she is eating like a champ – fitting right in with our “eat every two hours (or less)” schedule.

I am reminded of the lyrics to Charlie Hall’s song, “Marvelous Light” as I watch Eliana:

“I once was fatherless
a stranger with no hope
your kindness wakened me
awakened me, from my sleep”

Here she is, laughing (with no sound):

How grateful we are to be her parents, to be the ones to shower her with kindness. We still have a ways to go, but these immediate rewards are a sign of good things to come!