Shira Update -- Saturday and Sunday

Today is Sunday. Yesterday our party grew by one as Daniel's sister Naomi arrived to meet her newest niece and dote on the other two. Everyone is in good spirits. Daniel, Liat, and Ravi went to synagogue yesterday morning, where they received a friendly welcome. The shul is just one block away from the hotel. It's a small, liberal Orthodox community, with a few pillars who lead the service every week (the same guys as two years ago), homemade dishes at kiddush lunch, and a rabbi who can spot a newcomer instantly. Daniel was invited for an aliya, after which, according to their custom, a blessing was said for him and every member of his family, which means it was the first time Shira had her name mentioned in synagogue. Certainly not the last.

Shira has such a sweet temperment. She almost never cries, and follows the commotion of our family with great interest. She has favored her parents, both her sisters, and now Aunt Naomi with smiles, gurgles, and giggles, and she eats, sleeps, and poops with reassuring regularity. She is apparently very comfortable with us, and seems to share Ravi's outgoing personality. Both Liat and Merav have been extraordinarly sweet with her, each in their own way. Liat has an almost mothering, protective quality in how she cares for Shira; when Shira spit up, she ran to her and comforted her by saying, "It's okay, sweetie, everybody spits up." We've overheard her saying privately to Shira, "I just can't stop looking at this cutie, I just love her so much." Ravi is gamely keeping her jealous streak in check (luckily, Julie thought to bring her sling also, so both babies get a turn with Mommy), but at every opportunity, she snuggles in with her baby sister, kisses her, and coos, "Baby Shira."

Julie, Naomi, and the big girls went shopping for Guatemalan goodies this morning. It is raining now, so no swimming today, but fortunately, Naomi brought rainy day fun. She and Liat are making friendship bracelets while Shira sleeps in the sling and Merav naps in her pack-n-play.

Many of you have asked about the adoption process and when we can bring Shira home. We'll write more on that soon.