Learning Curve

Today started off well.  While we were eating our complimentary breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we ran into an American couple who is here for their first trip on their journey to adopt a little girl.   Talking with them was a breath of fresh air.  It was a welcome change to have someone delight in Sam and comment on her beautiful features, rather than avert their glance; to see someone light up at her presence rather than gawk.  We chatted in the restaurant for awhile alternating between sharing adoption stories and commenting on Sam's charming attributes.  Once it was clear that the waiter needed to cleanup after breakfast, we went our separate ways.

In yesterday's blog post Gracie said, "She regularly sticks her entire hand in her mouth, and back into her throat, which we're realizing may be because her tonsils/adenoids are inflamed".  This afternoon Grace had the idea to get her a pacifier with  the idea if her mouth was plugged she wouldn't be able to shove her hand down her throat.  An hour or so after returning from breakfast we planned an outing to get her a pacifier.  We really didn't have any reservations about doing so because she seemed to do so well yesterday.  Today, however, we did not make it very far before Sam started showing signs of stress.  Her body became so tense that Grace had a difficult time adjusting her arms because they were so stiff.  We promptly turned the stroller around and made a b-line for the hotel.  Once there Sam showed many signs of irritation.  She flailed and rocked her body.  Her twitching also became more pronounced and regular.  She wasn't responding well to Grace's touch and seemed to want to be alone.  It was heartbreaking to see her that way and frustrating because all we could do was wait for it to be over.  Gracie took it very hard, blaming herself.  However, there is going to be a learning curve and Sam is the teacher.  Since she cannot talk we have to learn to decipher her body language and facial expressions.  This can be hard because to the untrained eye some of what she does is "cute".

Thankfully, Sam took a very long nap this afternoon, as did Grace and I, and when she woke up all was right with the world again.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day.  Our translator is going to pick us up at 9:00 a.m. (1:00 CST) for Samantha's medical check up.  After a brief break for lunch we have an appointment at the embassy to get everything necessary for her to enter the United States.  After Sam's reaction to a brief amount of time outside today, Grace is concerned how she will handle tomorrow's excursion.  Please pray that God would give Gracie and I the wisdom to know how to keep her comfortable.  Also pray that there won't be a lot of waiting; that we can get in and out of our appointments quickly.  Finally, please pray for peace to overcome Sam (refer to Thursday on this blog post). 

With that, I will leave you with some pictures.

Big girl can pull herself up to stand.

She loves to clap!

This is our favorite facial expression.  We have concluded that it's her "I'm chilled" face.

The infamous beach ball makes everything better.

BIG smiles at the end of the day to say, "Mom, I'm alright".

We can't get enough of the "I'm chilled" face. 

Thank you doesn't seem to adequately express how grateful we are for your prayers and support.  We are humbled.  With love from Bulgaria.