Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Our "babys" firsts

Anna has been with us for 15 days as of today. The more we get to know her, the more we absolutely love having her here with us. As she gets more comfortable she opens up from her shyness and we are seeing a silly fun-loving teenage girl. We are also seeing a definite CITY girl. She is as far outside of her comfort zone as she could possibly be with coming to America. If 2 weeks ago someone would have told her she'd be doing some of the things she has done, she would have laughed the wonderful laugh we have gotten to hear and shook her head while waving a hand and saying "noooo, noooo".

For us, it is in a way as if we have "given birth" recently. Anna is like our baby and toddler experiencing her first feedings, first steps, all those milestones we write about in the baby books. I haven't written them down for her, but I have kept a photographic journal and have printed out any pictures we have taken (and will take) and we will surprise her with them before she leaves to go home. Our "baby" is growing so much while being here....

She had her first plane ride across the ocean - all alone - knowing no one at all. That same night she drove on American roads and arrived to meet strangers who would be her family for the next 5 weeks.

She had her first experience with dogs. At her home she has 1 pet - a bird - that stays in it's cage all the time. Having something that runs around and barks is totally different....having 4 of them is probably enough to send some people screaming for the next plane back home. She has learned that when Gabby comes running towards the chair she needs to lean to the side so Gabby can run up to lay on the top of the back. She doesn't even blink now, she just leans and keeps right on watching tv. She has also learned to keep her bedroom door closed because puppies like to get into your trash can and they also like to drag your shoes around. She never gets angry though, she just laughs and says "noooo, you crazy dogs".

She has had her first rides on a horse & a camel, and in a boat, a go-cart & a pick-up.

She has gone camping for the first time. And had her meat cooked on an BBQ grill (the outdoor stove as she called it).

She had her first taste of American pizza, Subway and McDonalds, which she said she greatly prefers over the ones in Spain.

She has had her first time helping sort pigs (I keep trying to convince her that she did so great that she should consider moving to America and becoming a farmer and again I get the laughter along with the waving of the hands as she says "noooo, noooo". LOL).

She had her first walk in a corn field today. She has been intrigued by it, so Chelsea took her out behind the house.

She had her first tornado warning. She was not impressed.

She really is child like and it's so fun seeing things again through the childs eyes. I'm glad we still have more time with her....there are many more firsts we want to experience again.

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