First Trip to Russia

July 24th we met Abigayle in the Fryazino, Moscow baby home.

Abigayle was a bit apprehensive when the care giver handed her to me (she kept looking back at the care giver as if to say "don't leave me with these strangers")  This of course is a good sign.  She warmed up to us a little, and Stephen even got her to laugh just a little.  She doesn't have any teeth yet, but appears to be close to cutting some, since she really liked chewing on the teething ring that we brought her.  She sits up well, but doesn't crawl yet.  She was scooting herself around a little so by the next time we come she will probably be crawling.   The pediatrician says she is developmentally delayed by a month or two, but again this is normal and hopefully she will catch up quickly when we bring her home.  She is very alert and interested in all that is going on around her.  She was quick to look up at me whenever I would start to sing a tune. 

This is the music and recreation room.  They hold music class, puppet shows and family meetings here.  Behind the curtain is a play area with lots of big toys for the older children (up to age 3).  Abigayle is holding a teething key ring; it ended up being the favorite of the toys we brought.  She really liked the noises it made.  

 We brought this book with us that recorded our voices reading it.  We asked if they would read it to her so that by listening to our voices we might not be so unfamiliar the next time we visit her.  She enjoyed the music it played.

 We brought a photo album of family pictures to show her.  Again we asked her caregivers to show her the pictures often in hopes to familiarize her with us and make her transition home easier.  They ended up hanging it in her crib.  When we returned a couple of months later the caregivers who hadn't seen us the first time, were a little abuzz with curiosity.  They wanted a look at the prince and princess who were going to adopt one of their babies.  Apparently they were impressed with the wedding photo I included.  Hopefully upon seeing the "older" version of that prince and princess they weren't too let down. 

On the second day we took Abigayle outside to the playground.  It was a pleasant area and we enjoyed being outside.  

We worked really hard at getting her to laugh.  She did not humor us but did tease us with teeny grins a couple of times.

She finally got tired of Dad's silliness and decided to just chew on her dress.  

This is one of my favorite pictures of Abigayle.  She is simply beautiful to me.

I also tried to get her to laugh or smile but with little success.

Abigayle is drinking "juice"  

They boil fruit in a lot of water, add a little sugar, and voila, juice.  

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This picture is another favorite of ours cuz she is soooo serious.  We don't see much of that expression anymore; I guess that is why it is funny to us.  If she were like that continually we wouldn't be laughing.

"Juice"

 On our last day visiting her I was offered the chance to feed her.  Of course I wanted to.  It was a little awkward however since I was being watched and after the first spoonful was told that I needed to feed her faster and put more on the spoon.  How I am holding her is apparently how they feed the babies.  They put one arm behind and hold the other so as to avoid a mess.  The lady who showed me how to feed Abigayle seemed really sweet and genuinely happy, and kind.