Settling in

Thanks so much for all the good wishes we've received. We've wanted to post an update sooner, but have had trouble getting online. We've hacked into a wireless network, so for the moment, we're on.

We arrived in Birmingham on Saturday. Ella did really well with the flight. She sat on our laps and was content with the diversions we'd brought, plus the added bonus of take-off and landing, and a cup of ice which provided more entertainment than you might imagine. She seemed to think the plane was a rocket. We have no idea where she's seen a rocket, but she kept pointing out the window to the engine and wing and saying "rocket, rocket". As we landed I told her we were in Alabama, which became her new mantra, "bama, bama". She was saying it in front of the incoming pilot as we deplaned, and she had him laughing.

We've settled into our apartment, bought lots of groceries, cooked meals to freeze. Yesterday, we drove 15 minutes to Oak Mountain State Park which was beautiful and deserted. We took a hike, saw owls and a bobcat at the wildlife center, and had a picnic by the lake in the 70-degree weather. Ella had a lot of fun throwing stones into the lake. I think we'll be making some return visits to the park.

Now that we've seen a bobcat, it feels like we're really in Alabama. I wasn't sure what to call this place, not wanting to confuse Ella by calling it home. But when we got back from the state park, she looked at the apartment building and said "home." I said yes, we're home. She's adaptable and she has common sense, and that's lucky because we need both qualities for the weeks ahead.