Yummies and Walks and Books and Snuggles!

Anelya was awake in her crib when we got to the baby house and it was time to eat, Today they had a puree of turnips and beets with some meat in it and a plum compote. Anelya is getting used to my feeding skills, or lack thereof, and was a very good sport. I have figured out the positioning of her now. You lay the baby down more than you would think when feeding, but it allows you to have control over their arms. She's gotten over her four bites and a gulp phase and now either screams or reaches for the mug when she is ready to drink.

It was chaotic in the baby room today and for the first time there was a lot of screaming. I asked Gina, one of the caretakers if my mother could help and she said, "oh yes please!" I explained to her that Mom always wants to hold the babies and all they have to do is ask. So, much to Mom's delight, she got to feed one of the babies while I fed Anelya.

I asked if we could take her outside and they said yes and gave me the muffin top hat again. She looks so cute in it. She loves to be outside and rubs the carrier straps between her fingers while we walk around the baby house. I think she is getting used to the camera because now she no longer looks away when we point it at her. Poor kid.

This afternoon we were busy. She loved reading her "Good Puppy" book and played with all of the soft and squeaky ears for ages. I read it to her, she read it to herself, she rolled on it, had tummy time with it, etc. As you can see, she is enamoured by her binky and it is nearly impossible to get it out of her mouth. Today she sucked on it so hard she had a ring around her mouth. They will probably send me to baby house jail tomorrow.

Baba was allowed to carry her over to the window for a while and do baby massage. I love that she watches me like a hawk already and when she is over the grandma fussing, she reaches for me now. She is still loving her rattles and now the book is a hit. I wonder if her two dogs waiting at home for her will be as much of a hit when they kiss her. Me thinks not so much.

She was pooped at 3p.m. again, with an hour left to spare and when she told Baba it was time to go back to the Mama, I put her right in her position and she stroked my face and looked into my eyes until she fell asleep. I have never felt the way I did that moment.

After bonding, we went to the Fuji store to print photos for court from our jump drives. Who knew they'd be so set up here? Now that we have finished the first half of bonding, I have to create a page for each day of bonding with pictures of Anelya and me and a written explanation of what we do each day and how she is progressing in my care. I also have to decorate it. Mom will be doing that, needless to say. You all know my drawing skills have something to be desired. These will be translated and given to the judge with the rest of our documents when we go to court in a couple of weeks. I will also have to give a speech. I am thinking about giving mine in Russian, if Olga thinks it is a good idea. We will have training for court next week and Olga will grill me on every possible question they can ask me and help me find the best way to answer all of the questions.

While we were waiting for our photos at Park City, we went to a toy store and bought Anelya a great new toy in the shape of a flower, with a mirror on one petal and other entertainment on the others. Anelya LOVES to look at herself and I don't blame her.

We dropped the Clark/Gilpatricks off at their apartment and I finally took a picture of the people selling their homegrown goods outside. I thought you might like to see this side of Kazakhstan too. Pasha bought a big fish and a ton of potatoes for his guests who are here from Belorussia and then proceeded to drive 5 mph home so he could explain to me how he was going to clean the fish, prepare dinner and make horse meat sausages.

Believe it or not, I may very well post yet another entry tonight about our big night out at Tammy and Bob's, so stay tuned!