Travis just left on a bus for the "big city". He will be flying home tomorrow. It seems very empty here in the apartment. I will miss him hogging the bed and leaving the toilet seat up! I have the tv on in Russian just to hear some voices!
Please be careful what you write in the comments. My children read my blog everyday and they particularly enjoy reading comments. They always hope that someone will write to them. I wouldn't want them to feel bad. They are really having a hard time with me being gone for so long. I love seeing Anastasia's happy face on the top of my blog!
I found out that we can't apply for passports until after the 10 day wait is over. Passports could take up to six days! I know that is not too long, but I am so ready to be home! I also can't wait to be able to have Nastya and Moira with me all the time!
After I took Travis to the bus stop, I saw a litter of puppies and their mom living under some steps near the train station. I am going to buy some dogfood for them today.
Now, for some pictures.....
I love how Moira is looking at me here. She wanted a bottle and she was definitely telling me how she felt!
I see this dog everyday on my walk to the orphanage. I think he is smiling at me!
Nastya with medicine on her bug bites.
Moira doesn't like to eat, but she loves her bottle!
One of the caregivers told me that she does throw up sometimes and she had to be fed with a tube when she was younger.
My friend, Anya, in front of some delicious cookies! Even though my stomach has been sick, I can still eat cookies!
Yesterday was "Children's Day" here, so they dressed the children fancy. They also have "woman's day" and "men's day" which I think is really nice. No one gets left out!
Nastya loves to drink water!
These are made completely out of paper!
Well, I am off to the orphanage!
Wow, I love the picture of Moira in your lap! She is coming to life right before our eyes! Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless your whole family!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the yellow dress. Hey girls back home :o) I know ya'll are being super good. Mommy will be back before you know it.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you as you finish out your journey in K-Town:) Hey, at least you have a friendly dog to talk to! ;op
ReplyDeleteYou look very pretty in your yellow dress, by the way. I used to have one similar to yours and it was one of my favorites.
To your children back home- Hang in there! Your Momma will be home soon! You have beautiful sisters:) Take care!!!
You have two beautiful new littles one to add to your family...and it sounds like a couple of very brave kiddo's back home!
ReplyDeleteYou must be so proud to have such strong, sweet littles one waiting to welcome you all home!
Brooke Annessa
www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
I love the top of your blog, I think the picture is quite original ;) And every time I see that photo I think Anastasia has beautiful eyes! Of course I would love to see a picture of all your kids together when you can take your new daughters home, but hey, your blog, your decision ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting looking dog! :P and cookies are always a good thing :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got the cutest kids I've ever seen! At home AND the ones that will be HOME soon!
I love seeing Moira unfolding little by little...Praying for you during the wait! Hope it is just what it needs to be for you and the girls and everyone.
ReplyDeleteYours is a great blog, and I like all the pictures. I especially like that you seem like a "real" family, and I love that those little girls get to be part of that. It's interesting that you were able to find more details about Moira's history ... I just know that in your home she will learn to love to play, eat, and play some more without any pressure, just fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible that Moira's arthrogryposis affects her eating. I know that my (online) friend's daughter who has it can eat very little orally, and is mostly fed through a g-tube. I'm not sure the exact reasons, but I think it's likely low muscle tone in the oral/throat muscles that make it hard for her to chew and swallow appropriately. It's quite amazing all the things she _can_ do, though, and how much she's improving all the time with appropriate therapies. I can't wait to see Moira make similar strides!
ReplyDeleteTo the 4 kiddos at home without Mom: You guys are awesome! I'm sure it's hard not to have her there, but thank you for doing without her for a little bit so she can help your new sisters!
Hello! I have been following your blog for a while but never commented. I want to first say how adorable all of your children are and how inspiring your family is to me. I look forward to new posts from you, and especially pictures, and sometimes I can definitely see some of my own kids' personalities in them.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I wanted to mention dysphagia. I know often that kids with tonal problems, either too-high and especially too-low (hypotonia) have problems with eating and it's called dysphagia. I bet you anything she has that, and it's diagnosed by a speech-pathologist I believe. There are some kinds of programs that may help, but I am not sure if they are in your area. They are frequently offered through local early intervention providers or pediatrician offices. One that I know of is called "Kids Eat" and you can find out about it googling "kids eat therapy." And if she was tube fed, that also increases risk of dysphagia. Hopefully she'll overcome that soon and pack on some poundage and continue to come out of her shell. I really do think she looks so much more engaged in these pictures, so I think it's just a matter of time before she blossoms.
Your little girls are beautiful! Congratulations on getting this far and I'm praying all will go smoothly from here on out.
ReplyDeleteTo your kids at home - I know this has been a hard time for you but it will be over soon. Thank you for making this sacrifice so that your parents can bring your new sisters home.
Blessings,
Rachel Whitmire
Post-Adoption Care Coordinator
Reeces Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org