Name Change (or not actually)

Hello! I want to continue to thank you all for the emails and comments. I am so far still unable to figure out the problem with sending email--it keeps saying that my ISP is rejected. Anyway, thanks again and please keep them coming!

I want to tell you all about a change--after much deliberation and soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that, much as I love the name Emma, it does not fit (my sincerest apologies to my great grandmother). Her name is going to remain Zhanna ( rhymes with Donna). You can't imaging the laughter it evokes when she is called Zhanna--she just giggles and giggles. We'll see if it is still so funny when she is 12 or 13, but it really does fit her (and I fell in love with her name as well as her). Also, no one will ever mistake her backpack with the initials ZGK. ( I will apologize to her someday, but it really does fit and she answers to it and knows it well).

Today I had to go to the notary and sign power of attorney papers for the attorney, Tamara, so she can represent me in the official things that need representation. At least, that is what Lena told me I was signing. I did recognize my zip code, and my house number 454, so it definately was something to do with me (lol)(laughing out loud mom).

Zhanna and I also had our first family portrait done by the photographer for the court judge--the one above is one that Lena took from the side, but I will bring home the real one. She also had a passport picture and a visa picture taken. She will have a Kazakhstan passport as well as a US one. She was so good and laughed all morning until the camera came out.

After that, Lena and I went grocery shopping. That is quite and experience in itself! Many of the brands are the same, and the labels are similar. I bought some soup, but I am not sure if I should dilute it, cook it, or eat it cold....the directions don't have pictures like the brownie and cake mixes! You have to look carefully at the packages---the potato chips were caviar flavored--who knew little red circles meant caviar flavor? I passed on them.

The other picture above is the baby house. The baby house has many rooms, each baby room holds up to 12 babies. In Zhanna's room, she has the 3rd crib in on the left. They sleep through all of the noise of the other babies. The babies are extremely well cared for here--there is a doctor in the building 24/7. The orphanage has 120 children, and goes up to age 4. All the babies are examined by a neurologist as well as a surgeon and pediatrician. They have massage therapy every morning for 10 days, then 10days off and then it rotates like that. The children are dressed according to what is on top of the pile (kind of like me!) so pink and blue have no relation to sex at all. Neither does color or pattern for that matter! When the babies are sleeping the caregivers all knit booties--you can see a pair on Zhanna's feet. They have them on at all times. The babies wear many layers of clothing, but today I saw some older children in shorts. Lena said that it is because they leave Malutka at age 4, and some other orphanages may not be heated as warmly, so wearing less clothes builds immunity.

Sorry to keep rambling--hope you all like the name Zhanna!! The caregivers were ecstatic that I decided to keep her name (part of it anyway). Lena bought me a childrens book about Kaz musical instruments, so I gave it to the staff to write her notes in. On Thursday, Lena says we will go to the maternity hospital so I can take pictures for her to "explain when she gets older). Thats enough for now----will write more tomorrow! Love you all and thanks again!