Turnips and Dostoyevsky

After our first daily bonding visit, we were taken to the stationery store to buy supplies which we will use to make our picture albums for the judge when we go to court a few weeks from now. Now those of you who know me, know that I am creative. I like to write (as you can tell), I sing, I used to dance. But if there is one big joke about me in my family it's that I do not boast a single visual arts gift whatsoever. I still draw the same pictures with the same level of skill as I did in Kindergarten. It's true. So imagine my distress when I learned that I have to unleash the artsy/crafty side of Andrea. Yikes.

We then went to have lunch at a Turkish Restaurant called Istanbul Picnic. I knew all about this place and what to order since the adoptive parents repertoire is the same for everyone. Ya know, we tawwwk. Mom unleashed the tiger in herself and ordered a beef dish that I didn't see coming at all. I thought she'd go the shish kabob route with me. Nope. She got shaved beef in sauce, with rice and about a half a pint of sour cream. I got chicken shish kabobs with rice, cabbage, and french fries. It was the first real meal we have had in Almaty, since we have been running since we got here. We've basically lived on yogurt and protein bars since leaving Frankfurt. So yeah, yum. Mama was hungry. So was Mama.

After lunch we went back to the hotel for about an hour. I blogged immediately, so Anelya's fan club would have something to read when they got up. We were then picked up again at 2 and went to the baby house for visit #2. It was a beautiful day and since we got locked out of the bonding room, we stepped out on the balcony for a while and practiced using our exhilarating accessory... the Beco Baby Carrier in Carnival. I love that thing. It was so comfortable and easy to have her in there. I can't wait to use it tomorrow!

I'm glad we were locked out of the bonding room because it afforded us the opportunity to spend the afternoon in Anelya's baby room with the other babies. There are four babies in her group that I recognize as people I have been in contact with are adopting them. It was so fun to see these faces I know so well from all of the pictures their parents have shared. Such beautiful kids with very distinct personalities.

I got to feed Anelya again. She ate about a cup of pureed turnips and meat. Honestly, she wasn't totally digging it. She ate the whole thing, but I think she is just a slow eater, which is very unusual in the baby houses. She was SO THIRSTY though! She guzzled down that fruit compote like you wouldn't believe and BOY did she had a grip on that mug. I had to pry it out of her hands to get her to let me feed her again. She's a strong little muffin, let me tell you!

This is Anelya's primary caregiver who just loves her to death.

The Baby House Sign

Anelya practicing her chugging skills for college.

I don't want that mush. Not hungry. I'm hot, lady. If you would stop squeezing and kissing me for one minute maybe I find room in my tummy for some food!

Chillaxin'

Baba likes to make me giggle in the air!

It was time for Anelya's nap at 4:00p.m. so I kissed her goodbye. Today it actually hurt a little to leave her. She watched me the whole way until she turned the corner into the baby's sleeping quarters. Night night, monkey.

So, I was fully expecting Mom to want to rush back home and take it easy, but nope, she jumped at the chance to go to the Dostoyevsky Museum, which is a small museum where he used to live in Semey. It was a long tour, made even longer because of translations, but it was pleasant. I, however, was ready to die. It was so hot. Oh, and have I mentioned that we hadn't had any running water since we got to Semey? Yeah, you heard me.

Which brings me to this episode of:

SURVIVOR: KAZAKHSTAN

Against all odds, the Caesar tribe has dominated and managed to get through two full days in very hot Semey weather with: no shower, no running water and a toilet that wouldn't flush even when you pour water in it. Mom did not complain once. Neither did I. We toughed it out and, much to our surprise, the water was working when we got home from the museum. We won the challenge and have thereby avoided elimination. The tribe has spoken.

Caesar Zhivago

My final financial obligations went down in a very Dr. Zhivago-esque fashion. Not really, but let's just pretend. I got a call from the Almaty coordinator who was checking in with me to see if I was happy, if I had any questions or if I needed anything. I basically told her how happy I am with my baby, with the baby house, with the staff, the hotel, everything. I am just happy. I had no questions for her. She then asked if the Semey coordinator could come by this evening to collect the final fees for the program, accommodations, translating and driving services and documents. She knocked on my door about a half hour before requested, came into our room and collected the rest of the money for the adoption. We chatted for a bit and then she informed us, much to my mother's delight, that we can order breakfast from a menu and our hotel owner will make it for us and bring it at the time we request. All for $4 each. I hadn't even finished the first syllable before my Mom said "PANCAKES". And so, pancakes it shall be for a very good sport and a pretty awesome grandmother!