The other side of the world... day 8 (this is a LONG one!!)

When we got to the orphanage this morning John went in to “witness” a blood draw on Timothy (I HATE needles, he’s the medical guy in the family). They wanted to re-test him for AIDS, Hep B&C, and Syphilis. After we took the blood to the clinic where it will be tested, we headed to Timothy’s groupa.

I knocked on the door, and we could hear lots of little voices saying “Mama Papa” and his name. As soon as the nanny opened it and he caught a glimpse of me, he came running to me with his arms open! I melted of course!!! Oh he is such a sweet sweet little boy.

Our visit this morning was displaced for a little while, the room that we usually visit in was occupied by one of the other little groups having a music lesson. They were just adorable! We sat off to the side and listened and watched until Timothy got restless (took him about 3 minutes hehe), and I put the blanket on the floor and he sat down and played and ate some crackers. Once the lesson was over, they left and we moved over to our little area. He was so much more animated today, and oh my, ALL boy!! He was into whatever he could find, and even tried to make a break for it a couple of times! He was soooo snuggly today!! He wanted me to hold him, and hugged me around my neck bunches and bunches, and I have to tell you, it was like heaven!! I miss my other kids, and our hugs & kisses! I told Timothy that I would hold him anytime because we have lots of lost hugs & kisses to make up for!

Man, let me tell ya, that kid can crunch on some cookies and crackers! LOL We did find out though that he doesn’t know how to suck out of a straw. No matter, we have a sippy that we’ll take (no plunger though so it will flow out better) next time take juice. I got some bananas and some yogurt for our next visit. I don’t want to give him just cookies and crackers. Not that he has a weight issue to worry about. LOL Just thought we should be healthy. Our visits are at a good time 9am till noon, and 4pm – 6pm. So we start out with a snack, that way I know that it won’t spoil his meal later.

The staff seems so nice, and to really care about the children. I’m on the lookout for a couple of specific kiddos(and actually saw one this morning!!), and Mommas, if you are reading, I’ll let you know privately if I see them. Then, if you’d like to share, you can. I have been there, I know how exciting it is to hear that a visiting Momma has spotted your little one and seen them playing or interacting with other children.

Ok… here a couple of pics from our visit this morning, John’s snoozing, so I don’t have any with me in them right now, I’ll post them later. Here are some with Timothy and his Papa though! By request, here are also a few pics of our neighborhood… and let me just put a disclaimer out there, it really looks rather “rough” by our American standards but I feel totally safe here. Now, I will admit, I wouldn’t go out alone after dark, but I feel secure in our little rooms behind at least two locked doors.

My lunch... I have NO idea what it was, but it was piled on a baked potato and it was GOOD! hehe

Just some street vendors and traffic on our walk to the Mall (about 3 blocks)

The Mall!!

More Street shots


Our Hotel... the Berlin

I let him have these crackers, and each time he would reach in to get one, he would look up at me to make sure it was ok... I just kept saying "Da" and nodding

LOVE his little smile!!

Singing with Leap... or yelling with him... whatever... hehe


Timothy loves his Papa

He would hide in the puppet stage and come out with his arms open wide, and RUN to me for hugs and kisses!! I had to literally toss the camera after this shot so he didn't knock me over!! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this little boy!!??


EVENING VISIT
The weather is nasty today, rain, cold, wind. Just ick! We don’t mind though because that means we can stay inside where it is nice and warm. Besides getting another wide open arms welcome, Timothy has been so affectionate today. By the end of our visit tonight he was rubbing his cheek on mine and waiting for kisses. I love this kid so much!! I can’t wait to have him home, and give him a bath, and dress him in clothes that match, and get his haircut evened out… hehe

He is so ticklish too. I just love his little laugh. It’s so cute, if you even just LOOK like you are coming in to tickle him, he scrunches his whole little body up to get ready.

He was sitting in my lap, and I said “Timothy, where’s Mama?” And he put his finger on my face and said, “Mama”!!! When I asked, “Where is Papa?” he pointed to John and whispered “Papa”. LOL I told John he had said it. He is too darn SMART for words!! We are seeing how much he already knows just in the time that we have been here! He is just going to blossom when we get him home and get some speech therapy, etc. I can’t believe that anyone would think that this child is “unteachable” or deserves to be sent to an institution because he can’t learn and function. I thank God every minute for leading me to him, and him to us.

Tonight we took him some strawberry yogurt, and a banana, and some juice. I’ve realized that we really can only take a serving at a time of anything because he will just keep eating and eating.

When we took him back to his room tonight, I saw one of the other RR kiddos… I won’t say who though until I know that his soon to be Momma has read the email that I sent to her about it. I was even more excited to see him than the one this morning! LOL He is in Timothy’s groupa, and when Timothy went in the door, there he was, right next to him, like “hey, tell me all the details buddy”. LOL

Ready for a few more pics??
Seriously, Mama? I'm working here!

Letting Mama see my new friend Leap! We sing together!

Cheese!! Look at our little Lefty!!

Showing Papa how to use my MagnaDoodle, I think he's almost got it.

More MagnaDoodle lessons, boy, teaching these parents is tough work!


This is a Ukrainian family that we share the space with during our evening visit. They are so nice, I wish we could talk to them! The kids are so sweet together. They shared some apple with Timothy tonight. The little one's name is Nina.

I just liked this one so I had to post it.

The beach ball is a hit! He loved rolling it between us and kicked it a few times too! We didn't want him to get to wild though with Nina and her family there.

He can't drink from a straw, but he is a PRO at using a cup with NO lid!!

Having a piece of apple that Nina's Papa shared with him.