Wait Day - 2

Sergei: My driver and Coordinator. And fierce Russian protector!
Elana: Sweet, sweet translator!

Artem Baby Home - "Gym" (above & below)

Today was another great day in Vladivostok! Sergei and Elana came to the Vlad Inn to pick me up around 11am and we were off to Artem. We were greeted at the door by the Baby Home Director, Natal'ya. I met her in October and she was back today after the "holiday" - she's as kind and generous as I remember!

My translator, Elana, asked if we could see a little boy that a blogger friend of mine, Heather, is adopting. Heather and her husband, Justin, made the BEST book for their little one, Blake, and asked if I could deliver it to him. I was honored! At first the director said "yes, I will give him the book" but Elana (the Great!) said that I would also like to get a picture of him for his mama and papa. And Natal'ya agreed! She brought Blake into the visiting room and he was such a doll! Huge smiles. I didn't want to confuse him, so it was great to have Elana around - I asked her to tell Blake that I was a friend of his mama. He loved the book and quickly picked out both mama and papa. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to deliver a piece of his new home to him!

As if that wasn't a great day in itself a minute later Miss T came tromping down the hallway. She teared for only about 30 seconds today - and she sat on my lap and was easily calmed. Natal'ya had some wonderful advice - she said T is stubborn (hmmm I wonder if she gets that from me! hahaha) and that I need to be firm, but calm with her. And most importantly, don't give into her every whim and spoil her. Uh huh! I'll have to seriously try on that one.

Natal'ya the director was followed by Natal'ya the doctor. She gave me all sorts of great information on T -- no allergies, they have started to try potty training her etc. It was great to talk with her as well. She said they have been really happy with how much more interest T has in "learning" lately. All good.

Natal'ya the director mentioned that when many of the children in the orphanage figure out that they are "important" to someone, that they have a tendancy to get really bossy in their groupas. So she said "maybe you don't come everyday". So we decided I'll go next week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday should be pick up day. Sergei, Elana and I will go to the store on Thursday. Ahhh, things to look forward to!

Finally, T and Elana and I got to play in the Gym this afternoon - it was good to get out of the visiting room and see some other parts of the baby home. We had a great treat at the end - one of the other doctors and Natal'ya the director came up to play Ping Pong. T was FASCINATED!!

One last note, my social circle is growing! I met a fabulous couple last night - Andrew and Lisa from Vancouver, BC. It's great to have more people to spend time with and talk with!! Paka - it's dinner time!!