The Toddler has appeared, and she likes meat!

We are putting Ella specific posts here and general Ethiopian ones on Dolzilla.blogspot.com. Please check out both.

All of our loyal fans have most likely abandoned us since it has been so long between updates. I am using jet lag as an excuse for all it is worth. I finally felt normal last Friday, exactly a week after we left. Holy Cow! Between the jet lag and adjusting to a little one who is adjusting to a whole new life (with the requesite protests included), I’m surprised that Julia and I did so with the humor that we did. Having Tita (Julia’s mother) here has certainly been a blessing. I don’t know how we would have kept a house together without her.
The toddler appeared today. For the two and a half weeks we’ve been with Ella Mesay, she has pretty much been in one of our arms (Julia’s primarily) constantly. There were a few times at the guesthouse when she would be content to be on the bed or on the floor, but she was very needy when it came to physical contact. Besides the screaming that would ensue when she was set down, we think that the amount of physical contact was good for bonding. She was very clingy; still is a little. Today, she was running around the house a few times. It was great to watch her have such a good time. And, we all hope that the increase in activity will translate to harder sleeping. She is still very difficult to put to sleep and more so to keep her there. I have spent a few nights on the recliner downstairs. If one has to sit upright and holder her, they might as well do it in a comfy chair with a TV right there. It makes the next day a little hard, but at least Julia can get some quality sleep.


We’ve been home bodies for the most part. We have taken two stroller trips around the neighborhood. (Thanks Chuck and Ann for the nice ride.) The first one I think she was basically freaked out and silent. Our outing today was good for most of the way, then she grew discontent and had to be carried the last few blocks.
Today’s big outing was to El Patio, a local Mexican restaurant. She likes salsa . . . There is no use bandying about the fact. The chips she could do without, but she likes both red and green. Sucks it right down. Her eating habits are a bit to be seen. Ella is a carnivore. I don’t think I’ve seen a kid eat more meat. She isn’t that keen of veggies, but chicken, pork, turkey or beef, she attacks. She was even dipping her pork into the salsa verde tonight. She was a veteran with the condiment.


Our Christmas day was very subdued. Ella got a few toys and if it wasn’t for Tita and Heather, Julia and I would have been without presents. But the way we figure, EM is the big present. Ella got a Ms. Spider from Heather that she really enjoys. Ms. Spider is a cartoon that I had never heard of before Heather bought the toy a month or so ago, but Ms. Spider has adopted a bunch of buggy kids to make a family. Quite cute. The toy sings and stuff, but the songs are not annoying and she does have an off button. Ella is fascinated with Ms. Spider’s blinking eyes.
We also got her a set of blocks. She is a very good stacker. She is becoming more and more animated each day and her blossoming is something to behold. It is very reassuring to see her have her toddler moments, both good and bad.
Tita is headed to Montana tomorrow; it will be an adjustment for all of us. I hope her leaving doesn’t cause Ella too much distress. What am I saying, I hope it doesn’t cause all of us too much distress.
Oh, we had a doctor’s appointment last Tuesday. Everything checked out OK, including all the blood work. That was great. She started her shots. They just started her from the beginning even though she had some in Ethiopia. She had five in one setting. The girl is hard; she cried while they were doing the shot, but not afterwards. She comes from a strong and resilient people.
I’m sure there are more tales of amusement and whimsy that I am forgetting, but know we are all well.