It was another wonderful day with sweet Ellie! We played and even got to take her to the outdoor play area. It is getting colder and rainy, so I am glad we had the chance to do it today. She seemed to really like it outside. She was adorable today! We have never seen cheeks so big! Her skin is like porcelain. She is really beginning to like us. She hasn't been around men much, but seems to enjoy Jim. He is so good with her. She hasn't been fussy at all the last two days we have been with her. That could all change, but they say she is a calm baby. (Jim did make the comment that he once bought a dog at the pet store that was very calm and he got him home and he was a wild man...so you never know, haha!) Her caregiver calls her "lazy bones". I bet when she gets stimulated that will change. You should have seen her play pat-a-cake with me today...sooo cute! She loved holding my hands and clapping them together. I also taught her to "high 5". She seemed to like that too. We will definately be buying a "bouncy/walking" chair and a swing. She really enjoys those. I can't imagine poor Sadie with the rolling chair thing. Spencer will love it and I bet she puts all if his toys right in her mouth! Oh my, things are going to be fun and crazy!

She seems to be on target in every area except speech. Many orphanage kids are behind in that area. Jim says I talk so much that she will catch on quickly, haha! That is something we can get help with and can be corrected if necessary. The doctors seem to think she is very healthy and just fine, a big relief. I wish we were taking her with us right now. I can't believe we have to wait for another 4 to 5 weeks to have court and then another 10 days to 2 weeks to get her.

We got to see some of the other kids in the orphanage today. They said there are 47 kids there right now, not at full capacity which is good. Moscow is better off financially than it used to be so there are fewer children brought to the orphanage, that combined with more adoptions means there are fewer children. I noticed one with downs syndrome and one with fetal alcohol syndrome. It broke my heart. The other ones seem so small and frail next to Ellie. But, she is such a big baby that most kids would seem small.

I found out what she is eating today...they feed her 4 times a day. Cereal, milk, cookie and fruit for breakfast, meat and potatoes, cookie and fruit for lunch, and some tyoe of snack about 4 and then more meat and potatoes at dinner (mashed). No wonder she has chubby cheeks! I think they are slipping her extra cookies too! :) I am just thankful she isn't malnourished.

We go in the morning to sign the paperwork to officially accept her as our child, and then we get to go see her again. I will be sure to update again tomorrow.

Thank you all for the sweet emails, I just love them! Thank you also for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated!