China Trip - December 25, 2004 (Christmas Day)
Elisa seemed to take to her new home as if she always belonged there. And she always has.
This picture reminds me of the picture we got in November of Elisa in the orphanage. But this time, the crib she's holding on to is the one in our home. It is impossible to describe what a beautiful sight this was to Elisa's proud parents.
In the Xiushan Orphanage At Home in Windsor
After waking up a couple of times during the night, Elisa was up for the day at 6am, which would be 5pm in China. None of us had any sense of night or day or up or down.
She explored the whole house, and found the Christmas stockings and presents under the tree. As usual, the shiny gift label was the most interesting and tasty part. (Don't notice the Charlie Brown-style Christmas tree -- we knew we weren't going to be home to water a real tree, so this was the substitute.)
I went to sing in the Choir for Christmas morning mass while Vicki gave Elisa a bath (and took a bath herself in the one-inch deep water!).
Then we dressed up Elisa in the new red dress that Nonna made for her. At 1pm, a reporter and photographer from the Windsor Star came over to our house to do an interview and photo-shoot for an article about Elisa's adoption. Rita had contacted the paper and told them of the "story", which they thoughtwould be nice for Christmas week. Elisa was smiley and engaging as always. The reporters, who had to work on Christmas, said they enjoyed the visit, especially because they don't get to do many stories that are good news. If there are no big local bad news stories today or tomorrow, they said Elisa's story might be in the paper on Monday.
Then, we went back to Nonna and Nonno's house for a Christmas turkey dinner. Here's Zia Teresa captivating Elisa.
Here's Elisa's cousin, Julian, with a drumstick almost as big as him!
Elisa enjoyed the dinner, and ate some little pieces of Turkey, some mashed potatoes, and the popular staple, Cheerios. Although putting Elisa in the high chair is still an adventure (as is also is when we put her in her snow suit or car seat), she seems to be getting used to the idea of eating with a high chair and tray.
After being awake and on the go from 6am, Elisa finally fell asleep at 4pm at Nonna's house, so we put her in Nonna's bed. We later transferred the sleepy girl to her crib at home, were she remains fast asleep, with visions of Cheerios dancing in her head!
It has been our very best Christmas!