In six months Emma's english has really taken off. She understands everything and can speak really well for having been here such a short time. Every week she adds words and sentences. One of her first sentences was "I don't like you" (used when she was not getting her way) which was quickly followed by a new word "naughty" - what she heard when she said "I don't like you"....... To be fair she also sweetly says "I love you". Her favorite word has to be "Mommy". I have often thought about keeping track of how many times she says "Mommy" in one day. She can count to 40, sing the ABCs and repeats everything said to her. There are still a few vietnamese words spoken but the other night while out eating at a Vietnamese restaurant we go to quite often I asked our waitress to speak to Emma in vietnamese. Emma just looked at her and said she did not understand. Three months ago Emma would talk to this same women in vietnamese. I struggle with whether I should help her retain her vietnamese language and still don't fully know what to do. Right now I am doing nothing because I want the sole focus to be on english.
Emma is playing with toys and dolls more than she ever has. Her favorite game is still peek-a-boo/hide and seek which is what I think they played in her orphanage, however, in spurts she will play with her barbies and dollhouse. I just assumed Emma would be rough with her toys and break and/or lose alot of her things. Totally not the case. Emma is very careful with her things and knows where everything is, even if it has been wrapped, placed in a baggy, placed in a purse and hidden under a stuffed animal. Although she cannot read, she loves her books and ends each day "reading" to me. I tried reading to her, but Emma is a completely in charge type of girl and its easier all the way around if she does the "reading".
Emma is very strong willed and will try to do almost everything by herself... except walk! She is a bundle of energy and spends recess at school running around the playground but if I'm around she wants to be carried. I know she is six but I don't mind and I have carried her ever since Vietnam when I feared she might run away if I put her down. I felt it was good bonding for us, however, now that she has officially turned six we talked about her walking on her own and she agreed. We'll see how it goes.
Emma has gained a few pounds but we still struggle with finding a variety of food she will eat. Vegetables are not eaten in any shape or form. Chocolate ice cream was added to the list over Christmas! Chips probably are at the top of her list but are thankfully followed closely by fruit. So when she asks for chips for breakfast and does not get any, she is totally fine with a fruit or two.
Having not had a mommy her first 5 and 1/2 years I wonder what she thinks of me. I got a glimpse into her mind at a birthday party. A little girl came up and asked me to open her water and here came Emma exclaiming that I was not the little girl's mommy. Kind of cute.
Life just keeps getting better with Emma -we have come a long ways in six months!!
