Today was Saturday, and we went to the orphanage 2 times, as usual to visit the babies. In between we had to go to a Notary to sign papers for our facilitator Tamara to represent us in the court and in Almaty (I think~it was all in Russian, although I did recognize my birthday and Madina's birthday in the paperwork, as well as a 454, my address, and a 12182, which is my zip code). After visiting, we went to the mall, which actually consists of rows of kiosks, that are very small. My mom and I can just fit in with Zhanna in the stroller, and for the most part it is one customer at a time. You kind of point and pantomime, then they punch in a number on a calculator, and a sale is made. Zhanna decided she needed a new hat, so we went to the baby store nearby to buy one. We also purchased a Matruska doll, which is the stacking dolls, for her to play with. Tomorrow is Sunday, and we are not able to visit the babies, as they have to "disinfect". We were planning on going to the larger mall with all of the other families tomorrow, but apparently Zhanna has pulled rank, and I am told a driver will pick us up at 11:00am to go to the zoo.
I am told by Natasha, our translator, that they have camels, bears, tigers and maybe a monkey at the zoo. Zhanna is doing better than I had even dreamed...quite the world traveller! She is in a good routine, and has been sleeping from 2-4pm every afternoon, and sleeping about 10 hours a night. She is also using the potty...which she excitedly told Natasha, who was not impressed, as children here seem to be toilet trained by 1 year old at the latest. She has a long way to go to being potty trained, but progress is progress!! We miss you all, keep writing! Will send zoo photos tomorrow...
6 comments:
YAY zhanna is using the potty!... Have fun at the zoo everyone.
Miss you all
Mia
Wow, Madina is very cute. I can't decide who is cuter though when they smile M or Z. (Got to stick to those initials.) I think it's a tie.
The potty training is really the ticket. We brought Katy home along with a potty and lid that we purchased at the mall. We kept doing the same routine as they did in the orphanage. By 18 months Katy was wearing underware and not the potty training type. She still wore pull ups to bed, but rarely did anything in them. Katy was about 14 months when she came to our family and I can remember changing only 3 poopie diapers.(A lot different from Matt who had nuclear explosions at 19 months.)
We just got back from a day trip to Conn. We went to a memorial service for Elliott's aunt. We took the dog and also visited his granmother(93) in an assisted living community. I hope I look that good when I'm 80! All in all it was a nice day. The weather finally cooperated and it was in the 50's.
The kids are now in front of the TV eating hot dogs, left over vegies and sun chips. This is about the only thing they can do lately without fighting. It also gave me the opportunity to check your blog.
Enojoy your time bonding. Can't wait to see the next pix. I'm hooked.
Lisa
Hey Chritine!
Can't wait to see zoo pictures.` What a smile on Madina's face- !!I think Colleen went with Chloe (not sure it was an experience she would repeat though) (or did they go to the circus??
It was a very nice day today- Ryan is making his first communion and i had to attend a retreat with him. I was on your side of the river today and went to Walmart- almost went to Job Lots (your fave!!) but didn't have enough time. Stef and Tiana came over tonight with some other friends and we ordered chinese (hey by the way did you try the spring rolls in the restaurant yet?- yummy> have you eaten there yet? Garlic chicken and mashed potatoes baby!!!
We have to go to a confirmation tomorrow- Paul is the sponsor for his Godson- a very religious weekend for us. Next weekend starts our Spring break - yeah!! we are going to Amish country and Gettysburg for a few days- can't wait! The buffets down there are awesome. WE are also meeting up with pam and Lonnie and Marina (you met them last summer- Marina and Vika were crib mates!)
No potty training on this end..I would hate to think that we need to go to Kaz again to potty train!!! (LOL)
enough rambling.... miss you guys.. .we just brought out the outside toys and slides- Z will have to come play when you guys get home
ohh... our pool must look like a pond from up above- we had 2 ducks swimming in the water on top of the pool cover this afternoon!!
Good nite- Kim
Natasha took Chloe and I to the zoo-no I would not go again-quite depressing. And unfortunatley Chloe was too young (and wild!) to enjoy it. But, I think Zhanna will enjoy it a bit. Keep the photos coming.
I am having a bad day today-spent 4 hours at teh library yesterday working on schoowork and as I was saving my work to leave, something happened and I lost 4 hours worth of work. I am still trying to recover it. A nightmare.
Kids are downstairs with my parents, all I hear is "no" "stop that" " hey" "what are you doing" Its really not worth it. I wonder how I turned out ok-hey no comments from the peanut gallery
Col
Hi Chris-
Just catching up on all your entries, pictures and comments from everyone. You'll be coming home with a bigger/older baby than Ethan, go figure! We'll have to put them together for a comparison shot... picture I mean.
We're all so happy for you and your enlarged family- I had no doubt Zhanna-do would be the hit she obviously is, maybe someday she'll be the Ambassador, or is it Ambassadoress?
Did you decide yet on the nickname? Madi or Dina? She looks like a little Madi to me.
The girls look adorable on the tiger- how did they do with the real animals?
take care,
Love,
Lynn (and the gang)
hey, they are too cute together, you are now very lucky twice. They're both so beautiful. enjoy the zoo and good job zhanna:)
love dee
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