What? No post yesterday? Boy...this worried my mom back in FL! Let's just say we were exhausted and I fell asleep early (11:30pm) --- sorry!
Unlike yesterday when we first met K in the morning, our meeting time was not scheduled until the afternoon. We awaited for our driver at 3:15 as instructed but didn't show up until 3:45 -- which we knew was just eating into valuable play time. Let's just say the traffic is HORRENDOUS here in Yekaterinburg!
We arrived at the orphanage around 5:00pm (usually a 40-min ride). K walked into the music/playroom and immediately gave hugs but she was a tough egg to crack today. JD and I did everything just shy of standing on our heads to make her laugh and giggle but all we got were a few treasured grins. But the more we thought about it, the more we began to understand: Here is a little girl who just met us, she doesn't know what to do with a doll or a palmer-grasp crayon. Hugs and kisses...what are those? Plus, she can't understand what we are saying to her except for the few Russian words I know! I mean, JD and I feel like fish out of water when we're out in the streets, at the airport, in a restaurant --- so why not her feel the same way?
I felt tremendous "success" communicating when I brought out a little plastic children's photo album which I had filled with pictures of JD and me. Since I can say "Where's Mama? and "Where's Papa?" in Russian, K responded and pointed correctly to the pics. She spent 10 minutes just flipping through the pages and pointing and then graduating to figuring out how to open up the plastic sleeves and trying to take the pictures out!
We're hoping that when we see her today (once again in the afternoon), that she'll start to open up just a little. Honestly, I'm not expecting it until we actually officially adopt her months down the road and we're with her consistently, when she can build trust and comfort. And that's ok.
So before heading out to the orphanange this afternoon, JD and I are going to hit the Yekaterinburg streets and try and find more small toys -- ones that make sounds are the biggest hits. We will drag out every ounce of creativity but most of all, we'll just keep showering her with love. She doesn't understand the concept yet but she will!
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4 comments:
Laura, gosh your little girls is so blessed to have such dedicated parents. you are right, time will take care of her but gosh what wonderful headway already. This was definitely meant to be!!! So excited to continue hearing about your journey:).
Congrats on your first visit. I remember well how it felt that first time. I was so anxious but everything turned out ok. Enjoy your time together now and take lots of pictures.
Melissa
Laura, you and JD are doing everything a parent would do. You are going to be her forever parents so enough, she will have a life time to bond with you and JD. I love your perspective....you are SO RIGHT! This is all new to her too, she is so young yet. She does not fully understand. I seriously wish you could take her home right now but we all know there are a couple more hoops to jump through. Love and Hugs...
I hope everything goes well. Good luck...
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