Esther is such a fantastic big sister!

We have really made sure Esther has known what is about to happen with meeting Sylvia, having Sylvia come back with us to the "African house", sharing things with Sylvia, sleeping next to Sylvia in the same room, taking a bath with Sylvia, etc.

When it was time for us to go get her, I emphasized that it was Sylvia's birthday (Esther is into birthdays right now) and that Sylvia wanted a birthday present, so that I could encourage Esther to go in with Heidi and meet Sylvia first, which is a special moment for the both of them.

Thankfully Esther woke up in the Greatest Mood Ever this morning, and was as excited as could be for what was about to happen. She insisted on wearing the special pink shirt I had gotten for today, even though it turned out that it was too big.

Pappa, wake up! Today we go get Sylvia!

VERY ready to become a big sister.

Esther got to go in and meet Sylvia first! Sylvia's eyes followed Esther THE WHOLE TIME and she was quite smitten. Esther did as Esther usually does when excited about something: bounced up and down and up and down and up and down with a few squeals of delight thrown in. She did SUCH a great job during the entire placement session, and kept showing Sylvia the doll, and throwing soft balls at her head, and trying to tickle her under the chin, and when we needed some quiet time to listen to what Sylvia's caregiver had to say, Esther played with another of the staff members outside in the hall and had a great time. The Abba Adoptions staff was so happy that they could actually communicate with her! (since she speaks English, and most of the kids who return don't).

Esther gives Sylvia her Happy Birthday present, an African dolly.

Then Sylvia gets to come meet us, and she still won't take her eyes off of her big sister!

Esther attacks Sylvia with some soft balls.

A very happy big sister!

As expected, Sylvia was fascinated by the stars in Esther's hair.

First hug.

Esther played with a lady in the hall while we talked to Sylvia's caregivers.

Back at the apartment, their first kiss.

Wrestling.

Eventually Esther "regressed", as it was predicted she would, and wanted to do all the baby things Sylvia did. We allowed it to some extent, because it was no big deal (she wanted to eat Sylvia's baby cereal, be fed at meal times, have a bottle before going to sleep, etc.) Thankfully she's still doing really well about using the potty.







Learning to share.Now, to be fair, I should mention that Esther had a meltdown towards the end of the evening, after a LOOOONG, napless day with an enormous life-change, and she did nearly push Sylvia off the bed, pulled her hair after Sylvia had pulled hers, splashed her intentionally in the face during their bath together, and shrieked when she got frustrated with all the attention Sylvia was getting, but all in all, she had a REALLY good day. She has been GREAT!