Baby House Visit #1 and Semey History Museum

Anelya is sick and when I got to the baby house she was still sound asleep. I asked them to please not wake for me. They said they would bring her to me in the bonding room when she woke up. I was bummed because I miss her, but I want her to get better asap and there was no question what they should do.

So, instead of playing with Anelya this morning, we hung out with our Massachusetts friends in the bonding room. I did venture out and take some pictures inside the baby house:

Here are some pictures from the bonding room where we take Anelya every morning and afternoon, with today being an exception.

The room is very warm, but that is because it is so bright and happy.

I did go down to the bay room after about an hour to check if she was ok. When I came in, a new caregiver saw me and said loudly in Kazakh, "Anelya, your mama is here!" I found her lying on her tummy in the playpen/crib with four other babies. She had seen the doctor who squirted something brown up her nose to help with congestion. It was running down her nose, so I grabbed a cloth napkin and kept wiping her nose. Not amused. But she did like looking in the mirror. She laughed and laughed.

The baby doctor came down and said that she has all of the prescriptions she needs and she is ok, no fever. Good! She also said that because I am adopting a baby who is a few months youngerthan most when they are adopted, that she would like the caregivers to feed her, as she just started learning to eat from a spoon the day before we came. I am sure they will let me feed her again once she is feeling better, but if they don't that's ok. We will just roll with it. Pretty soon, I will get to feed her all the time!

After visit #1, Mom an I went to the Semey History Museum. It was a very interesting museum about the geological, cultural and natural history of the region of Semey. Our translator, Danile, came along with us and we learned a great deal about Semey. There is still a lot I would like to learn, so if any of you who have been here have any tips on where to seek out information, please let me know where to go.

Mom and Sarah from Massachusetts outside the Semey History Museum.

Traditional Kazakh Handmade Goods

Mom next to the traditional bridal hat, which is adorned in handmade jewelry. One could tell how well off a bride's family was by how elaborate the hat was.

Or translator is very proud that he is from Semey and often refers to the city as "my hometown", rather than Semey. He also speaks of historical figures as "my ancestors". I am not sure if he is actually related to any of them or if he is simply proud of his history and that he is from here. I will investigate.

We decided to have lunch at the hotel today and opted for eating a NAP. Holy moly did I pass out. I have to go now because Pasha will pick us up any minute to go to the baby house. Hopefully I will get to see Anelya this afternoon.