The other side of the world...day 35... Gotcha Day Eve! hehe

Tonight is our last night in Dnipropetrovs’k Ukraine.  Yep, there, I said it, and it only took me a month to learn HOW to say it (Nee pro petrosk)!  Our little Timothy is from Dnipropetrovs’k.  It’s a very large city on the river.  The area where we have called “home” for the last month is a nice little neighborhood.  Everyone walks pretty much everywhere.  I have noticed that basically 90% of the people you see walking are carrying a bag of some kind, shopping bags, grocery bags, fancy “stuff” bags…  just something I noticed… LOL

Today’s visit was bittersweet.  It was my last.  Tomorrow begins the rest of our little boy’s life.  A life of fun, and new things, and best of all love.  Siblings, and grandmas, and aunts and uncles… and Mama and Papa who would literally travel to the ends of the earth for him.  It’s going to be a crazy few days for him at least till we’re home and settled a little bit. 

Today I took the gifts that I had for the Director, the Doctor, and the head nurse(she has been so helpful and sweet, she is the one that went to court with us to represent the orphanage).  I got each of them a scarf.  I chose them especially for each lady.  I hope they like them.  I wrote a little note in Russian (thank you google translate!), to say thank you.  It seems small considering all that they do. 

I also took some goodies for the Nannies, and something for the children in Timothy’s groupa.  Since I didn’t have a translator with me(man she has been running like crazy so I thought I could do this on my own), I wrote a note and gave it to the Nanny (one of my faves!) who was there today.  It simply said, “I have presents for all of the children”.  I showed her the little snack package, and she nodded and told me to come in.  All of the kids were at the table (it was snack time hehe), and of course, Timothy JUMPED up as soon as he saw me.  She told him to sit down and I heard her say “Mama” so I’m sure she was telling him that I was joining them for a bit.  I started passing out the snacks (a little apple, a cookie, and a chocolate wafer, I wanted it to be a treat but nothing that would give them a tummy ache).  Everyone was so excited.  Then came the REAL treat. 

I went to the mall yesterday and looked around a little for something to give to each child.  I knew that it wouldn’t likely be “theirs” for very long since they all live together I figured they just all share everything. But I wanted to give them each something of their very own, even if it was just for a moment.  I found some inexpensive cars for the boys (each one got two!), and some stuffed baby dolls for the girls.  There are 10 boys (incl Timothy), and 3 girls.  I chose the dolls especially for each girl.  hehe 

When I took out the bag with the toys, and started passing them out they all got so excited.  The girls LOVED their babies, and the boys were so happy to have “machinas” to play with.  

After they were finished eating, I helped clean up, and took Timothy outside to play for a little while.  Later, just before it was time for me to go, the whole group came outside (they do everyday around that time), and everyone had their new toys too.  That made me smile.  I am so glad that I was able to make each of them smile, even if there is nothing else I can do (you know, like hide them all in my suitcase!) for them. 

I also told the Nannies that tomorrow Timothy would be saying “Das Vidanya” for the last time.  They were happy, but sad too.  I know that they will miss him.  I know how much I miss a daycare child once they have to leave.  It breaks my heart.  I know how they must feel.  

At some point this afternoon, we’ll go get our train tickets.  We are almost packed I think. 

I’m not really sure what tomorrow will hold.  I know that Marina isn’t going to be with us, so it will be up to Roman (my driver) to help us get our children’s passports, then the children from the orphanages, and get to the train station in time for the 5:15 pm train to Kiev. 

Hopefully someone will be there to get us once we’re in Kiev and take us to our apartment.  LOL

SO… you might not hear anything from me tomorrow!  No worries though, the apartment that we chose has Wi-Fi so we’ll be back online on Wednesday!