11/24/06 Pictures from trip

Pictures in Perm City


















I'm finally uploading some photos and it's easier than I thought. I know this might be a bit of a disappointment, perhaps you were hoping for Helena photos; it won't be long.

Here is the view we had from one of our rooms towards the back (right). Not all that impressive, but very snowy as you can see. The pic. on the left is towards the front of the hotel and shows the arts museum across the street. My newest room, a single, also faces that way, directly at the tower but at a lower level. I think I will post more pics. from now on.

Here is me re-creating the scene from Moscow when I wore the blanket around my neck as a scarf and had other things in my pocket. I didn't actually have Peanut Butter in my pocket, but I did have some make-up on so this look is not very authentic. They don't have PB here, by the way. Actually the getup doesn't look as ridiculous as it felt.

Today, I'm feeling a little sad and lonely. This is really a lot to take on - being here alone. I'm just going to focus on seeing my daughter and getting through one day at a time. It wasn't as hard as I thought seeing her alone and it was the only part of the day I didn't feel on the verge of tears. It was just the two of us, like it's going to be alot of the time at home. I walk in the baby home by myself alot now, I had no translator or coordinator today, just the non-english speaking driver and I. The caretakers know me and it's a relief to no longer feel like I have to convince them I'm adequate to parent her. I sauntered in, and began talking to the babies on the potties. Helena was one of them and they swooped her up and cleaned her up for me. I decided to take her to the small room in the back because there was a new adoptive mom visiting in the main area and Helena gets a bit distracted.

We got to visit in the room with all the exposed pipes and crumbling walls which Helena so enjoys pulling up on. So, we played the game of catch Helena and pull her away from the walls. Gosh, she doesn't rest for a minute. Did God think we needed ANOTHER active child?? The only way I can get her to sit still on my lap and read "Danny the Duck" is if I let her chew on and thrash around the "Baby Penguin" book. Maybe she is bored and has them memorized already. I do know she already motions "more" in sign language. She ended up getting too close to a wall and scraped her face against it before I could reach her. I thought she hit her forehead but her nose started bleeding a little. I was mortified. She did cry but it was pretty short-lived and was not a gusher. I was thinking I should take her to the caregivers and fess up, but I had tissue and took care of it. I did mention the incident (in sign language) when I left, and it didn't seem to be a big deal.

My favorite caregivers were there today and I showed them the pics of our family and friends which they seemed to enjoy. I think they like the idea of Helena having siblings. A lot of you are in them incidently (apparently without your permission) because I have beach pics and pics from my birthday in 05. What a great looking bunch! No names, addresses or vital stats. though so I think you're safe.

I'm in my new room for the rest of the evening. I moved into a single and it's very retro, robin's egg blue wallpaper with rust silk curtains and warm cherry veneer furnishings. It's about as big as a jail cell but very cozy and it has everything I need except a BATHTUB. I'll try to take a picture and post it. At least with Mike home now, I can count on a daily call. Last night, I fell asleep for the first time w/o anything and slept for FIVE full hours. I think I've turned a corner!!!!

Yesterday I found some great shops. I could go crazy buying but then a) we'd have to physically carry it home, b) we'd have to pay an overage fee for weight to get it through Moscow I think and c) with what $? Okay, I did get a few things. The kids shoes here are adorable, very European, more than I'd pay at Marshalls, but less than at Nordstroms for a similar look. They were about $16 for a pair of red shoes with bejeweled butterflies on them and I got them big so they'd fit till spring.

Okay all for now. Sorry, sort of disorganized today, but hey it's my blog. Thanks for reading, it makes me feel a little less lonely. I might gear up for a dvd movie if I don't lose the entire blog before I get re-connected again to the server.