A First

Last night was a first for us with Mahaela...She let me cover her up with a blanket!! Sounds too simple, but feels like a big deal. I had a great week with Mahaela. I can tell that she is responding better to me--a little better every day. Even when I correct her about something, she is much less likely to react to me with hitting. She really wants to please us. It is difficult to describe the subtle changes in her behavior. A few times I have asked her to say sorry to someone for something. She can say "sorry" clearly in English. But when she is not liking me correcting her, she says "So" or some other version of "sorry." This continues until she realizes that I'm onto her little game...then she finally says "sorry." She's a smart little cookie.
Anyway, when we put her to bed at night, she stands in her crib and cries for a moment and then lowers herself to her tummy. We have a folded blanket that she uses as a pillow. She doesn't lay down until we are out of the room and she kind of gives up. But last night, she let me lay her down, head on her "pillow" and cover her with a blankie. It was a sweet moment. I have also enjoyed getting to touch her and hug on her more. She is has only partially raised a hand to me this week, but has not hit me at all.
The other awesome thing is hearing her pray...it is so cute and such a gift. She knows we pray before meals and even when we forget, she will be the one to say "dear, Jesus" in her low Bulgarian accent with her eyes squinting half shut. So heart warming! She will repeat a simple prayer that starts with "dear Jesus" and ends with "thank you, Jesus. Amen" as she points to heaven. Pinch me! I can't believe I am sharing these moments with my little girl. I agree with Mahaela..."Thank you, Jesus. Amen!"