We spent our last visit up in the gym. Jennifer had brought little plastic cups for water and we had a ‘tea party’ with Blake and Victoria before they got too wound up. It wasn’t long and Blake began rummaging through the backpack. It is always interesting to see what he is looking for. It is usually the water, but since that was already out he had our interest. It turns out he was looking for the brown crocks (shoes) we have been bringing each visit. They must feel good on is his. It is a bonus that they actually fit unlike his baby home oboofs (shoes). There were a couple of happenings that were highlights for us. Blake is a good repeater. He is trying to say Brady and Madison for us and we have him saying Please MaMa and Please PaPa when he wants food or water. I have been telling him several times I love you, Ya Tibya Lo Bloo. I put both phrases together in hopes that he will understand. During the visit, he said back to me Ya Tibya Lo Bloo. Now I am not fooling myself into believing that he really knows the meaning of I love you, but it was still sooo great to hear. As with the other times we have been up in the gym, the caregiver brought up the rest of the Bee Groupa. It is always pure mayhem when the other children enter the room. Justin and I blew up all of the beach balls that we had brought to donate to the baby home. After several minutes, Blake decided that he wanted our undivided attention. For the first time he called out to us in a loud voice MaMa, PaPa. He wanted the other children to know that we belonged to him. Slow and steady progress.
I guess that the water from the tea party did its number on Blake, and he went to the caregiver and told her something. She looked at me and said MaMa peesit. Ummmm ok, so the boy needs to go potty. I had no clue what I was supposed to do. Thankfully Blake knew exactly what was going on. He led me all the way back to his group’s room. He pranced in and said something in Russian to the two caregivers sitting in there and they smiled at him. We went around the corner to their little area where the potties where. He took care of business and then led me back to the gym. It was neat to see a little more of their living area. I am hoping that on Monday Justin and I can see where he sleeps and get some pictures. When it was time to go, Irina explained that in two days we would be back and he would go with us forever. He seemed to think that this would be ok with him!
As a great way to cap off an already good day, Justin and I went to dinner with Irina, Lana, and Oleg (our driver). They took us to an overlook to see the city of Vladivostock and then to a great Chinese restaurant. It was really nice not eating the hotel food for a change. We enjoyed learning more about their culture and their experiences with adoptions through the years.
Today we headed downtown on the train again. This time we ventured out with Ryan, Sandy, and Bodi True. It was rainy most of the day, but as always it is good to get out of the hotel. We had a great lunch and walked around quite a bit. At the end of the day we came up with a fun game. We would all four take a guess at what would be inside a building and then we went in to see who was the closest. We should have started this much earlier in the day because it was fun. You just never know what you are going to find!
Here are a couple of pictures for you.
This is Justin at a well in the village that we drive through to get to Artem.
This is a picture from the overlook we went to on Friday night.
It is always foggy or smoggy so it is hard to get a real good shot.
And here are the stray cebakas (dogs) in the city. There are dogs everywhere.
8 comments:
I don't know how many doors we opened expecting a cafe only to find a hat or shoe shop. I remember our visit to the vlad Min of Ed, walking along the hallway there was a strange asortment of offices - one was a travel agent, the next a girl sitting at a desk in an empty room and the next some men working on what looked like car parts! Nothing is ever what it seems.
So glad that your wait is nearly over, goodluck on the next exciting leg of the joutney.
I am so glad things are going well. We never ventured into town on the train because we did 3 trips.
I am so excited that you are in the "home stretch." Next week, you will have a lot to do before you get on the plane to Moscow. We took the train all over Moscow - it wasn't too hard to figure out. Let me know if you need restaurant suggestions in Moscow! We walked all over the city with Ruslan.
Best wishes and Blessings to you!
Myra
i am glad things are going better. i think it is neat blake said he loves you and is so possesive. wonder what will happen at home. he will have to share mama and papa. it will be ok. and know potty. one more day and you get to take him with you when you leave, we are happy for that. i have some new scrapbook stuff. working on my wedding album for practice. can't wait to see you. glennda decided to come to the airport with us. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love ya. blake i can't wait to meet you.
One more day till Got-cha Day for Blake. Yeah!!! God.
The Moscow Zoo is a great place to go and the Restaurant in the wall of the Zoo is an excellent place to eat. Good food, very reasonable. Danielle had a difficult time leaving one animal to look at the next animal. She loved each new animal sooo much. I had wished I had the words to let her know that we would see more animals as we left each one. After about 8 to 10 animals then she figured out that we would continue to see new animals for a while and calmed down. Perhaps if you plan to go to the zoo you could have someone give you words in Russian to help Blake.
The zoo is right at one of the metro stops. The metro is not too difficult to figure out. If I remember right, the tickets are sold in increments of 5 one way trips and the hotel staff can write you a note to give to the metro cashier so it can be easier for you to buy tickets.
God Bless and remember every minute of your first full day with Blake.
Everything is coming together so well for you all. we are happy to be getting wonderful updates. we can almost hear the excitment in your voice. looking forward to the message you all 3 will be heading back the U.S.A.. rain, rain,go away! justin may like to hear that, but we are all soggy! mema and i are getting ready to have supper (rib shack) probably not that good for me, she begged,LOL, mypoor arm! we send our love , mema, MrT and jojo
Jen's test comment
Yeah! Monday will be a great day! i remember the stray dogs in Kazakhstan, it was depressing. Have a great weekend!
Only a few long hours left and then you will have your little boy in your arms forever!!!!! How wonderful that will be. Glad your are enjoying your time and getting to see the sights while you are waiting until monday. Can't wait for us to be able to say we only have a few long hours left until we have our baby in our arms forever. Feels like that is forever away but who knows maybe when we least expect it. Absolutely can't wait until you can post pictures of Blake. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you back here in the states.
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