Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Spawn of Gene Simmons?

Tatiana, aka Little T, aka Tania, has yet another new name. My kitties always have a bunch of names, so why should she be left out? T's new name (while eating) is the Little Bird.

When she is eating something she really likes (which for the last couple meals is EVERYTHING!) she opens her mouth, sticks out her tongue and says "aaaaaaaaa" as in "give it to me - NOW!". It reminds me of a baby bird being fed by it's mom -- so excited to get some food.

As you see she's got quite the tongue action going on. When she gets going it hangs out all the way to her chin - ala Gene Simmons. I wonder if Gene was touring Vladivostok circa January 2006?

In other Tatiana news, she had a good night last night. I may have discovered the magic touch in her sleeping habits. She seems to like having a blanket over her face when she sleeps. This may have been intentional on the caretakers behalf, attempting to make things more dark for sleeping.

Now I know what some of you are thinking... "ok she's putting blankets over her childs head AND holding her in a car (vs. a car seat)?" First, there are no car seats in Russia. Well, very few! They just don't do it. We'll tackle the car seat when we get home. Should be interesting. As for the blanket... it's a very think IKEA blanket -- and trust me, it's not smothering her. I check... this freaked me out the first night and I kept taking it off her, which wakes her up. As Tatiana's gramma reminded me today, she sleeps with a pillow over her head... so it must run in the family ;)

Paka from Vlad. 3 days to go - not that I am counting!!
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16 comments:

Barb said...

That's quite a tongue! Glad to hear you had a better night. I can't wait to see later pictures once her hair grows out - you can see that her hair is curly. It must've been gorgeous!

Jennifer said...

It sounds like you guys are bonding well. When Riley was little, she wanted the blanket over her head as well. Don't worry about it. Anything at this point to make the stay easier is a good thing. You will be home soon and getting into a routine that you both will get used to. She is a normal 2 yr old, she seems to do alot of the things I remember Riley doing. I can't wait until you guys get home. We will all have fun.

See you soon. (4 days for us)

We love you guys

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Love the picture!! I'm so glad you had a better night. How great that she's a good eater--one battle you don't have to fight!
Love, Suz

Jeanette said...

I had both my boys stick their tongues out to get a comparison. T won in length, but my boys won in width!!! Short and wide!!

She is so cute! Congratulations on a good night sleep!

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy and Tatiana,
It doesnt seem strange to us, Katy and Emma both sllep like that have since they were old enough to do it themselves, Zac also does it. ( I even do it sometimes.:) ) Well we cant wait to have you guys back at home safe and sound and ready to go.

Love ya
Rena Katy Emma

Tamara said...

Her tongue cracks me up! Mia has a very interesting tongue and can twist it up and do all kinds of fun things. We think that tying cherry stems as a party trick will be in her future! LOL. We're planning on meeting you at O'Hare! Nathan even reminded me again which is a HUGE compliment to you (he tends to fog over when I talk about my adoption friends .. "which one is that???"..). I'll send you an email just to make sure that I've deciphered Rhonda's flight info correctly. YEA .. you're coming home!!!!

Anonymous said...

One thing that worked for my little guy (and still does when we travel) is I put a blanket over the pack-in-play to make it like a dark cave. He loved this while in Russia. I'm not sure what the attachment experts would say but it worked!

Safe travels home and enjoy this new journey.

Congratulations from one single mom to another!

Heather said...

That tongue is impressive! I hope you got a good night's sleep as well. Enjoy the last couple of days.

findingourdaughter said...

Wow, what a tongue! So happy to hear she is eating well....she needs to fatten up a bit! I know at daycare/preschool they will put a thin blanket over the kid's heads to keep them from watching all the other kids squirming and not take a nap/settle down/go to sleep. So this may have been something they did in the baby home to keep them from watching each other/engaging each other and staying awake.
WoooHooo, 3 more days and you'll be on your way home!! Can't wait to talk to you!
You and Tamara will have to share tactics of dealing with the curly hair....Mia's is the same! Lord knows, I only know board straight hair!
Praying for that tight turn around to work out!
Hugs!

Roger and Joanne said...

When I was little I used to sleep with a blanket over my head, too. On the rare days when it's very cold, I still tend to pull the sheet over my head.
How's Rhonda doing in all this change?
Wow..only 3 days left! You've got to be so excited to get a routine going at home.
She's adorable and yes, I too, can't wait to see those curls grow nice and long. But, for now, shorter is probably easier for you to deal with--you've got enough to handle and get used to at the moment.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful little girl, love those big brwon eyes, and is that a hint of a dimple I detect in that cheek? She'll be fine with her blanket over her head.....
We're praying for your safe journey home....
Mary

Joy said...

Okay that is funny! What a cute picture.
Joy

Anonymous said...

I am praying for your safe journey to home at last! It will be easier on the home turf. Kiss little T for me!

Much Love,

Jules

Troy and Rachel said...

Too cute!!! I can see those curls coming back already too! Daniel totally sleeps under his pillow. Sometimes I can't find him in the crib first thing in the morning (HA!) Parenting, we've learned, is a lot of trial and error! I'm glad your figuring things out!!

Over-Caffeinated said...

I don't think it's too unusual for kids from an orphanage to put something over their eyes to sleep. I was told at one point that they don't turn out all the lights in the baby rooms because obviously, the nurses need to be able to move around, change diapers, etc. in the night. Two of my three PI kiddos actually did this. Meg still can't sleep AT ALL unless she has her blanket to rub against her lips and then put over her eyes. Jack slept with his arm over his eyes for at least a year after he came home.

She is precious... can't wait for the "home" posts! :)

Stacey said...

She is beautiful... plain and simple! I am so happy to see pictures of your daughter (and I hope that phrase will always bring a smile to your face... YOUR DAUGHTER!!!) Think of all the things you are learning about one another... she's learning that you are always there... you're learning that she likes to sleep covered by a blanket... there's a song this makes me think of - Rob Thomas Little wonders... bless your little wonders!!! WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!