Weekend in Marietta

We went to Marietta this weekend to celebrate my nephew, Matt, and Lindsey's upcoming wedding. The girls took Lindsey to the Cheesecake Factory for a shower, while the guys took Matt to sidelines for a bachelor party. Then we all came back to Dawn and Tom's for a swim and dinner. It was great. We spent the night, then headed back Sunday.
I had promised Emma I would help her ride a two-wheeler, so this afternoon we gave it a try. I'm not sure she's quite ready yet. She was pretty terrified. She likes the idea, but did not enjoy the learning process. We tried just coasting down the slight hill in our cul de sac. I told her to put her feet out and try to balance. Then if she tilts too far to one side, she can just put her feet down. Then we tried her peddling and me running alongside her. Whew! It was exhausting. She said, "Mommy, I think I need to grow a little more first.'
While we were in Marietta, Emma and Ellie slept on a pallet at the foot of our bed. Emma woke up several times throughout the night with night terrors. She looked awake, but was asleep. She didn't remember any of it the next day. I wondered if she did it because she was out of her element and in a strange place, or if she does it more often and we're just unaware because we can't hear her from our bedroom. She's been having nightmares at nap time at school and she remembers those. I think since she started pre-k, the structured environment has triggered some memories of her life in the orphanage. She remembers some very specific details. Also, she's gone back to studying my face again trying to read my expressions. Then when I look at her she touches my face and smiles and sort of coos trying to make me smile, wanting me to reassure her that I'm pleased with her. Then she'll hug me and say, "I love you mommy." I know it sounds weird, but she's extremely hypervigulant about my moods and constantly needs to be reassured. The other day she said, "Mommy, when I don't obey, you tell me, 'No Emma', then you're happy again." I told her that it's a mommy and daddy's job to teach and correct their children, but we never stop loving them no matter what they do. I think somewhere deep in her little mind she fears abandonment so she needs to keep checking to make sure we're happy with her and will never leave her. No matter how much we try to show it or say it, I guess only time will make her believe it.