More on our children

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) we were observed by the officer from the court.  It started to rain outside before she arrived so that meant we needed to move indoors.  We were a bit nervous having the kids in a small room and someone watching us but atlas she observed for about 15 minutes - our translator sat and spoke with her I'm sure telling her how much the kids have attached to us - not wanting us to leave or end our visits and how Anthony is coming around to Dennis etc.  We don't know the outcome but we are hopeful she will have positive things to report to the judge on our behalf as I really felt it went very well with the kids and feel confident.

On to some interesting things I want to write about so that I don't forget.

The mosquitoes are horrible here - not so much for us as they are annoying but my God the bites on Angelina are all over her face & arms - not just one or two but clusters of bites just about every where on her little body.  They don't use sunscreen and I am very surprised that Angelina doesn't get as red as a beet as she is so so very fair skinned.  She needs vitamins big time as her hair is so fine, thin and very sparse....Nicholas' was like that as well but once he got onto a vitamin regiment his hair filled in  immediately and I am sure the same will happen Angelina.  As I mentioned Angelina struggles with getting sounds out at times which we will need to work on. She is a very quick learner and also is eager  so to seek our approval or delight when she does something and is very proud when we acknowledge it.  While we were inside yesterday and looking for things to keep them busy we had some small hoola hoops which I decided to put on the floor and jump in each circle like hopscotch but just hopping................Angelina couldn't hop nor jump it was amazing to know that she didn't know how and doesn't seem to have the coordination to do it.

Anthony is just a shy little thing................he is a very happy little boy with a thicker head of hair and not as fair skinned as Angelina.  He is a very determined little boy and is very very head strong and likes  to do what he wants and doesn't like to be told not to do something.  Anthony also sucks his thumb and does so a lot.

This morning visit went well as been the norm these last few days - the children squeal in delight when they see us - especially Angelina and they run to us and turn around and say paka paka (bye-bye) to their caregivers and little friends.  When they see their little buds walking around they watch intently - not sure what they are thinking but do know on many occasions Anthony waves them off saying "his Momma and stay away".  They are very sweet children and love to be engaged and jump from one thing to the next.   I am sure that normally they don't get to do so many things at once.  From what we see the children at this orphanage are well cared for - as far as feeding them meals but most of the time when they are outside they are either walking around the babies in carriages or have the kids group in the little outside shaded playroom which is contains a few very old beat up old pieces of toys and the kids are just sitting on the floor or staring out at us.  no one is playing with them - the caregivers are either talking to one another or sitting watching the kids.....no interacting or at least not while they are outside.  Another thing that I can't help but notice is the condition of the children's clothing I mean they are so old and worn and missized to the kids - Anthony's shorts do nothing but fall down.  The sandals they wear do fit (Nicholas' little feet were literally stuffed into his sandals). 

The culture in Russia is one of a very serious people.  People do not smile or acknowledge one another.  They do not hold doors open for one another and no one says excuse me if you are in a store they sort of just push you aside.  I did find this hard to deal with but after a few times of holding the door for people and they basically push you along - not acknowledge you and just keep right on walking you learn quick to just keep up with that pace and attitude. Most people live in flats which are basically high tenement type buildings that are old and in bad condition with no elevators with very few people having air conditioning.  They do have alot of open areas around and lots of parks which is needed otherwise where would people go.  Right outside the orphanage is a very steep hill  open field that people walk from a small village to the city.  Another observation I made early on is that most women do not drive - all of the cars are driven by men and the women walk. And like in Kaz most women wear hi heeled shoes. 

I do often think about the children we see every day at the orphanage and realize how lucky our son Nicholas is and how lucky our two newest additions to our family will be.  Seeing the commercials on TV of starving children with no water is heartbreaking and although it is nothing like that here it is still very sad to see first hand children that have nothing.  The clothes are so worn and mismatched and don't fit.  No one is paying attention to them and they are just so sad.  It is heartbreaking for me and so wish that Russia would not make it so so hard to adopt or make it seem like adoption of their children to the outside world is such a terrible horrible thing. Ultimately these children will only know life in an orphanage.  We hope and pray and ask everyone to send us positive thoughts that when we go before  our judge on Thursday that she will see that we are the answer to Angelina & Anthony's future and that we are ready, willing and  able to be the best parents to these two very adorable children.  Our lives will be complete but their lives will be wonderful and that is all that we want.

DND