Scott is on his way headed for the States :( I will stay behind, and wrap up the last of the proceedings.  My hope is that I get to return with Sasha sometime the week of March 13th, but its too early to tell. Sasha and I started the first visit today bundling up and going for a walk on the Orphanage grounds.  It was nice to get out, and we were alone.  We came across objects that were easy to describe in English such as snow, tree, birds, and ice. Afterwards, we went back to the common room, warmed up, and played a game start-to-finish.  Sasha sometimes loses interest half way through the activity, and picks a new one. We finished, put it away, and by that time the visiting hours ended.  Tonight's visit was incredible!  Sasha and I were watching videos together on my laptop. She started pointing to each object on the screen. This is her way of saying, "Whats this?".  Enthusiastically, I proceeded to teach her the English name of the object she  pointed to.  She mimicked each thing I said to the best of her ability. I decided to put a ABC learning DVD in the player. We went through the whole thing together laughing, making sound effects, naming each animal that appeared on the screen, and speaking each letter in the alphabet. I verbally reinforced her with each chance I got. By coincidence, in one of the videos we were viewing there happened to be a scene of a plane taking off, and I spoke pointing to the plane, "There goes papa." She pointed too and replied loudly, "PAPA". She is starting to stare in my eyes, and smile. Her little heart is opening up, and as long as she has her hand in mine, she begins to trust what lies ahead.

It's A Girl

We are now the proud parents of Alexandra Wood. Last night we both spent some time going over our documents and details so we would be ready for court. We were both very nervous going through a court hearing is stressful to begin with, going through a court hearing in a different country added to our stress. The judge was professional and asked important questions of both Sam and I about our daughter's future and well being. At the end of the proceeding we were granted adoption of Alexandra.

Today was probably as close as we will get to the feeling parents describe at the delivery room. Knowing that we will be able to provide a life, a future and a family for Alex is truly an amazing gift. The next chapter in our lives is about to begin, and I dare say that despite the challenges we have had the easy part is almost done. The best is yet to come.

Today we got to join Saschoi and the other kids in a singing program. Near the end of the program, I heard Sashoi point to us and whisper to another kid, "Thats Mama and Papa".  Saschoi is starting to test the boundaries of the relationship.  She had a hard time warming up to Papa today.  The visits consisted of her snubbing him.  We found out near the second visit that keeping verbal communication is important in building the relationship, and it doesn't matter what language you speak.  We ended the final visit with going over a kids Russian bilingual  dictionary with pictures. She pointed at each one wanting to know the English name, as she told us what it was in her language. 

~Sammy

Saschoi is slowly revealing who she really is. Today, we put puzzles together, had tea parties with stuffed animals and her Kukla(doll). We played chase, and watched her go down the indoor play-castle slide. I would tickle her when she met me at the bottom. Anything you could do, to receive a coo :) The caregivers along with our translator, are preparing her for the change a little bit more each day. She freezes up every time something  is spoken of her new journey. I promptly redirect this effect now, and try to be quick witted about doing fun activities together. It helps the mood get more cheerful. The communication barrier started to crack as she responded to my simple spoken phrases in Russian this evening. It ended on a bittersweet note when she felt sad about us leaving.  Tomorrow will mark one week since we have met.

~Sammy

Today was the first day Saschoi(What she likes to be called)didn't cry on our arrival.  We got to help the other kids today bundle up for a winter's day. Most of the kids wear wool bomber hats, and Scott had a hard time determining what side was right. I put on the scarves wrong. We cramped the system.   While all of this was happening Saschoi decided to point and communicate to me that she wants to play puzzles. We spent the majority as a family playing games and putting things together. The highlight of the evening was when we were playing a game with her, and all the sudden she started giggling.  I could of started crying. I was so happy. We spent an half an hour being silly to just hear her giggle.  We also showed her the family book of pictures. I spoke to her in Russian who all our family members were, and how they were her's now. She understood what I said, and went over the book of pictures again. We got to hear a Mama, and Dada(She has claimed us) as she was describing back to us what she saw in the book.  We have a smart one on our hands. I am warning our family now. HA!

Bitter Sweet

Our visits to day went well we are slowly making progress. Each time is a little bitter sweet; we arrive she cries a little, we quickly try recover with some game or new activity. She will stubbornly avoid eye contact and any interest in our presence. More often now by the end of the visit Sam and I will have found something engage her. This morning one of the caregivers tried to help us with bubbles and puzzles. This worked for a short time but after the caregiver left she tried pretty hard to avoid having any interest. We pulled out the phone for some alphabet and puzzle games. The games help overcome the language barrier, they provide visual cues when our verbal ones are lacking.

This evenings visit we started by watching a video then went on to play games. She grew tired of the games and started to ignore us again. In one of our previous visits we found she enjoyed listening to music on the iPod. Sam put it out and asked her if she wanted to listen, so far she has said very little maybe 2-3 words since we have arrived. We could tell she wanted to but was not going to give in and say "Да". Right then some of the other kids came in, one of the little boys in the group started to get Sam's attention. She actually seemed a little jealous and put her arm out with a loud "Нет". After the other children left she mellowed out and sat down with Sam to listen to some tunes. I started showing her some pictures on Sam's phone, we came across a picture of her new room which definitely sparked some interest. I took a picture and let her see the one I had just taken, she let me take another and I was very surprised to see that she had given me a smile. Each day is a little better than the next we are slowly wearing down her prickly resolve with love and kindness.

What is the feeling  that comes to your mind when your child smiles at you for the first time?  or combs through your hair with their little hands, or acknowledges you as mama?  tonight all of this happened to me, and their aren't words that really can express this awesome feeling of accomplishment. As we spoke in our earlier post, the Nintendo DSI was a hit.  We brought that along for tonights visit as well.  I also introduced her to my IPOD. Which had all kinds of uplifting music for kids, and the grown-up alike.  I put the headphones on her, and turned it on. I let her listen while she played DSI with papa.  She then felt comfortable enough to start playing with all the buttons on both gadgets. YES! her kid is coming out! what 3 year old doesn't like buttons? I gave her my wedding ring, she tried it on, and then was shaking it back and forth, moving the floating diamond. Papa and her were teasing each other with the ring. I then took the ring and teased her with it, and got a smile.    She had fun playing with the ipod and changing all the songs, and turning up the volume. She looked up when she put a Wonder pet song on, and I gave her a goofy look-another smile. I had to keep on turning the Volume down.  Papa had noticed she put the ipod on hold song. He tried to get it back but she wouldn't let him have it, and screamed, MAMA!!! Oh my, another stubborn one to add to the mix :D Our visit came to an end, and it was time to give hugs. I picked her up swung her in circles, and tickled her stomach. She gave us hugs, then I walked her to the common area, she independently waved bye with the a wide grin, and said Paka.