First diaper

The picture above is Zhanna contemplating her new family and friends in her first photo album of "home"! Note she is looking at Gram and Papa and Bonny!

The second is one of her caregivers, and the last is possibly a DOH nightmare--a pile of labelled spoons for the medications. The staff truely care for the children, and have photos of recent adoptees on the boards in the baby rooms.




Good morning to all! It is very warm here and the roads are extremely messy and flooded. That doesnot stop anything though. If the road is flooded, you go around it--whether it is the shoulder, the other side, or whatever. Worst case scenario, you beep your horn and go through the middle! No time is wasted on alternate routes. And you definately don't slow down for pedestrians--that is what the horn is for--just a warning that you are about to die, or at the very least get soaked!
Zhanna recognized me today and put her arms up when I walked into the room. The caregivers said that "Zhanerkee doesn't love them anymore--she loves her Mama" (of course through a translator!) She becomes more lively and giggling every day with the one on one stimulation.
Yesterday she smelled pretty bad, so we went back to the baby room. While the caregiver washed her, I was worried that she had diarrhea--it looked pretty messy to me. They all had a good laugh, and Lena said "no--just poop!". Okay--so I have only been a part time mom for a week--I will learn. It still looked awfully messy to me though. The caregivers idea of having mama change a diaper is to clean her all up, lotion her, and hand me the diaper. I could get used to that! They do not use disposable diapers here, or wipes. The have what appear to be recieving blankets that they fold up for diapers. When a diaper is changed, the baby is dipped into a bucket of water and cleansed by hand. No harsh soap for these babies! Once a baby is "chosen", you provide the pampers and lotion.
Great news about court--according to Tamara, court has been moved up to the 22nd of February, so I may possibly be home somewhat sooner than anticipated (leaving on the 24th of March from Almaty). Guess I will sign off now--need to get ready to go to the baby house. Will write more later. Miss you all!
PS-still unable to email, but my brother got an email from my name with a virus--please don't open anything until I fix the problem and will let you know via this blog!