Back from Outer Space and "Ming!"

If I may state the obvious: I am hugely behind on posting and I have a bunch of photos, video and reports (and hundreds of irretrievable thoughts) I want to share so I'll just do a bit at a time.

How do you post about a three week blogging lapse anyway? Well, it's just not going to happen. This is my new reality. Like the rest of my trains of thought and attempts to start and complete a task in the same day, or the same week for that matter, it's gonna have to get done piecemeal. I'm a new mom. I can play that card for a little while longer right? (By the way, why didn't anyone tell me how HUGE of an adjustment this would be for someone who is very detail and task-oriented??)

As for a quick and general report, we are doing great. It's almost been three months since we brought our daughter home (oh and she is the coolest girl ever!). Andrey's parents were here for a month but went back to Canada just before Christmas. Their visit was a smashing success. Not only did they time their visit so they'd be here while Andrey was in the States for 10 days, Ella exceeded all of our expectations and connected with them quickly. What fun to see their relationship bud and flourish.

We had a lovely first Christmas as a family of three. It was so special. After a crazy busy season of work and travel, Andrey is home and off this whole week with little work to distract him. He and Michella are reconnecting and bringing the bonding between father and daughter to a new level, which is awesome (more on that later).

Now for that funny thing my daughter does to words... She shortens them to their last syllable. Only Andrey and I can tell you that min = vitamin, pee! = yippee!, pul = apple, and Ming! = SWIMMING!!! And that word is spoken with much excitement anytime a pool or water is seen or mentioned.

Ella's inner motivation to swim is impressive for a two-year-old. Aside from giving her lots of swimming opportunities, we have done no persuading of her learning to swim. During our first weeks together she started dipping her head under water spontaneously and has gradually progressed to what you see on the video below. We are amazed as we watch her determination and fearlessness push her to new levels of swimming success. As my mother-in-law pointed out, perhaps this is how she approaches life.

This is from a trip to Bantayan Island in mid-December.