Here are some pictures from our first week home.  We had a wonderful week.  Pratima is really fun to be with.  She seems so happy despite all the changes she encounters every day.  What a blessing she is! 

We arrived home to some festive decorations....

The Lincicome girls came for a visit.  Pratima and Lucy had fun playing tic-tac-toe.

Pratima's first time sledding.  We went down the hill together, screaming all the way (both of us).   She had a blast!  Thanks Sherry and Jason for letting us tag along.

The first thing Pratima wanted to do on her first day home was play in the snow.  She wouldn't wear a scarf until about half-way around the block.  She was then more than happy to take mine.

St. Nick came while we were gone.  Check out the size of that stocking!  Hope the girls don't expect that every year.....Thanks St. Nick!  (wink, wink)

Hello Friends!
I am so sorry that I haven't written for a couple of days. Jet lag has gotten the best of me! I'm better today. Let's see, where did I leave off?
We left India early Saturday morning- the security at the Delhi airport was unbelievable. Ten people must have checked our passports by the time we boarded our flight. We never felt like we were in danger- not once on the whole trip- despite the whole Mumbai situation.
I was worried that Pratima was going to be sullen the whole way home, but she was actually quite happy. Especially once we arrived in London. She LOVED the escalators- and there are alot of them at Heathrow. She we giddy! It was so cute- and she wanted to hold my hand on each one of them, which I loved. We went to a bagel shop to get lunch while there, and she was making faces and waving her hand in front of her face because she thought the bagels smelled. I find it very ironic that she found bagels to be smelly. Have YOU ever smelled Indian food?
We arrived at O'Hare at about 9:00 pm- to Grampa Bob and yellow roses. Pratima put her winter coat on for the first time, and once we were outside she agreed to put her hood up and her mittens on. My sister, Ella and June Bug were waiting for us at my Mom's house when we got there. We were so ready to get home, so we didn't stay long. We got to our house by about midnight- but we were wide awake! St. Nick had payed us a visit, and our house was festooned with streamers and balloons. Thanks Minnesota Plamanns! The streamers are still up in the kitchen, I hate to take them down. We all went to be around 2:00 am, and slept until morning.
Sunday morning Pratima got her first good look at snow (there were about 4 inches- now we have lots more!) and the outside of our house. She wanted to go outside and play immediately. She wouldn't put on a scarf- until we were half-way around the block- and then she happily took mine from me. We were outside a good hour! And it was cold- I bet it was in the teens.
We spent the rest of the day inside just hanging out, playing, etc. She loves my old Barbies, Molly's doll house, and Littlest Pet Shop. In the late afternoon, Pratima fell asleep on the couch and I couldn't wake her up! Finally she did wake, and I got her to bed, but both girls woke up at 1:00 am ready to play. I was exhausted, so I let them get up and play. I think one of the Barbies got married while Jim and I slept. Finally at around 4:00am, I gave them both Benadryl put them to bed. It worked like a charm.
Monday came, and Molly was in no shape for school, so I let her stay home. The girls played in the snow again, this time with sleds, and had lots of fun. Grandma and Grandpa Plamann came in the afternoon to meet Pratima for the first time. I think she enjoys visitors!
Every meal has been an adventure, I don't know what to feed this girl! But she has been very brave since we got home, and eats almost anything I put in front of her, except Indian food. She has liked pretzles, Jimmy Johns #6, grilled cheese and tomato soup, veggie chili, oranges, donuts and scrambled eggs. I don't think she has eaten eggs before! She is so expressive with her face, it is fun to watch her try new things. This is all a huge change from what she would eat in India! She basically ate Parle baby biscuits and hot milk all week. I am very proud of her!
Today we were all up by 5:00 am, so Molly and Pratima had lots of time to play in the snow while they waited for Molly's bus. After Molly left for school, Pratima and I went to Target. She is pretty particular about clothing, and only had one pair of pants that she wanted to wear. I can't do wash that often, so we had to find some more. Mission accomplished- along with a new robe, slippers, warm socks, lotion, chapstick and all the other cold weather necessities. I made the mistake of taking her down a toy isle. She wanted one of everything and wasn't understanding the concept of "just looking" or "Christmas is coming". Molly has taught her a nice pout and loud "hmph" already. Beautiful- just what I need, more attitude in my house! All in all we had a great time, I think she really enjoyed it. She came home, helped me carry the bags into the house, and put all of her new stuff away. Wish some of that would rub off on Molly!
I'll post some more pics soon, although Pratima is suddenly very camera shy. Oh, and we are trying to figure out her name situation......when a stranger asks her name, she will tell them Pratima. We think that she likes to be called Pratima- by all but close friends and family- who can call her Nanda. We aren't sure, but that is what we are puzzling together at this point. Sorry for the confusion! We are confused too! Can't wait until she can tell us everything in her own words. Won't be long, I'm sure. She has been so much fun! Her eyes sparkle and she is so expressive with her face. Can't wait for you all to meet her!
Love, Melinda

Yes, Mom is here with us. We love her very much. She has been a great help. Did I mention that we love her very much? She says hello and thanks for all the comments. They are a highlight of each day.

Here is Delhi! Today we took a sight-seeing tour of Delhi. We only left our car once, but we saw alot of interesting things. India is a land of contrasts. This bus of school children pulled up next to us at a stop light. They all wanted their picture taken! It was so fun to wave to them and see their smiling faces.

Mini took us to Old Delhi so we could see how far New Delhi had come. Oh My Gosh is all I can say. It was a sight to behold. For many reasons.....you just have to come and see for yourselves.

Tonight we had dinner with Surrender (I know I am spelling it wrong, sorry!) He is the man we met at the embassy. He came up to our room after dinner and prayed with us and told us about his faith journey. Nanda wouldn't go to bed until he left at 10:30. She was quite taken by him. He is a very faithful man, and we appreciated his willingness to share his time and insight with us.

Tomorrow we have plans to do some shopping near the hotel, but nothing else. We don't want to torture Nanda any further- she feels more comfortable here. I hope she does okay on the long journey home! Love to you all, and we'll be home soon!

Melinda

We are having a great time getting acquainted in the time we are spending at the hotel. Nanda feels very comfortable when we are at the hotel. She will chat away in Gujarati like I can understand her. She does get frustrated that we can't communicate very well. She discovered the phone today as I was talking to our guide, Mini on it. She wanted to say hello to him, and so I handed her the phone. She was amazed! Then when I was ordering room service, she picked up the other line and said, "hello?". I think I may be in trouble...... Nanda tries spaghetti.

Watching "Tom and Jerry". Nothing like a little slap stick humor to cross communication barriers.

Molly had her hair wrapped at a cute market we went to today.

Molly and Nanda shopping. Nanda does not like to shop, although she liked to look at the jewelry, and picked out another charm for herself.

Today we finished our Embassy work! Horray! Now we can relax and do some sight seeing and shopping. The weather has been absolutely perfect here- not to hot or cold. I think it must feel cool to the Indian people, however- everyone is all bundled up! Nanda doesn't seem to be too cold. Just wait until she gets off the plane. Bob, don't forget her coat when you pick us up! Jim shows Molly and Nanda a video he just took of Molly dancing until her skirt falls down. It was funny because after the skirt fall off, she steps on the beaded tie, and starts to whine and cry about it.

Jim shows off his new "do"- Indian #2.

Molly and Nanda spend alot of time coloring. I bought a book of "hidden pictures" sort of like paint by number, and they love it. Now they are making their own hidden pictures for each other to do.

Love to you all! We are still having fun, but it will be nice to get home. Karaba's- give Clawedlette some love for us. We miss you fuzzy guy!

Melinda

Hello Friends!
I hear it has snowed at home. How much did we get in Thiensville?
Today we went to the US Embassy, located on a road of embassies from all over the world. Pretty cool! Nanda was is a sour mood, unsure of what was going on I'm sure. I wish I could speak Gujarati! As we were in one waiting room, a cute Indian man started to talk with us and to Nanda. I don't think he was speaking Gujarati, but Hindi must be close enough that she could understand a bit. He just kept looking at her and talking to her, making her smile. It is really strange to have someone talking to your child and not know what they are saying. It made me nervous! We were then called in, it was our turn. When we were done, we walked through that same waiting room to another waiting room. The guy, (Surrender was his name), followed us and sat down next to Nanda again. He said that he had something for her, a gift- something he had had for a long time. He pulled a card out of his wallet. It read "With God, all things are possible." (from Matthew). I couldn't believe it- there are very few Christians in India. He said that he could sense that Nanda was nervous, so he prayed for her after we were called inside. He invited us to a worship service at his church on Friday night. I think it would be so interesting to go!
This afternoon, we hung around the hotel. Nanda is much happier here. We shopped in the shops downstairs for a while, and she picked out a sparkly necklace, which she would not take off before bed. She will say, "No Mom". She also has an opinion about what she likes and doesn't like. While we were shopping, I would look at something, and if she didn't like it, again I got the "No, Mom". She and Molly were just watching "Tom and Jerry" in the other room, and I could hear her laughing and laughing. She is so sharp- it is fun to watch her discover new things, and make connections. She tried spaghetti noodles for dinner. We all had a good laugh about it! You can't eat spaghetti gracefully.
Tomorrow we go back to the embassy for an interview. I hope the line is short. Nanda is like a different person when we are out in the morning going to appointments. I feel so bad that I can't ease her fears better. When we return to the hotel, she seems so light and happy.
Sorry no pictures this time, I couldn't get them to load. You'll have to wait to see Jim's new haircut until tomorrow. (Let's just say the Indian #2 is different than the American #2).
Love to you all!
Melinda

Nanda's first plane ride. She loved to look out the window.
Molly walks on water at the hotel pool.
Nanda is giving Molly the trinkets she picked out for her from our shopping excursion.

Today was all about doctor's appointments- we had to go to four clinics. I must say that medicine in India has it's advantages. We didn't wait in line at any of the four places, we walked right in without an appointment at two of them. A routine chest x-ray cost $6.00, and some antibiotics were only $1.00! One doctor we saw who speaks Gujarati, said that the tatoo on her arm says her name, "Om Mala Nanda" ). As the doctor was saying this, it sounded alot like Melinda! I was kinda freaked out by that. Tomorrow we will go to the embassy to file our paperwork.

We tried to take Nanda shopping after all that running around, but she wasn't up for it. I have to keep reminding myself how different everything is for her. She is doing really well, all things considered. She has a great sense of humor, and laughs when I make a fool of myself (which is often). Last night when I was telling stories to the girls as I tucked them into bed, she sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to me. My heart melted! Jim took Molly on a hotel tour for a while, and when they returned, she rolled her eyes as if to say "here comes trouble!".

Thanks for all the comments, we love to read them and are encouraged by them each day. Keep them coming!

Melinda, Jim, Molly and Nanda