The Days Are Just Packed

Well. Today was BUSY.

We started the day with a hearty breakfast buffet - CHOICES, hooray! Our hotel last time, the Korvet, was quite nice and had lovely big rooms, but there was no choice at breakfast - you just ate what they set in front of you. But the Azimut offers a buffet. Okay, I don't think I've ever seen cole slaw at breakfast before, but that's okay. There was still a good selection, and it was a great start.

We left the hotel at 9:30. First we needed to apply & pay for LS's birth certificate. Then we had to go somewhere else to pay for it. Then, I think, we were done with appointments and had our first visit to the baby home. We saw her! She's as adorable as ever, about the same size, still full of energy and laughs. We brought a teeny little photo album with pictures of her, us with her, and the other kids. She seemed intrigued by that. We played for a long time, well over an hour. Her favorite games are run, chase, airplane, and hunt through Mama's purse for crackers :-) She gets frustrated when she can't have all the crackers she wants, but she'll learn. And today, when they had to take her back, she cried harder than I've ever seen. We're not sure if she remembers us, but she certainly seemed to enjoy being with us. Or maybe it wast just the crackers.

Once we left the baby home, it was time for my FAVORITE activity: shopping. Kill me now. However, Vala (our translator) made it as painless as possible for me. She took us to a small shop in a mall and appealed to the mercy of the very kind staff. They found me black pants and a striped shirt that both fit (a miracle!) and were reasonably priced. Then they hemmed the pants - in half an hour! I felt sooooo much better knowing I would have something to wear to court. While we waited I got shoes & knee highs. We also picked up a music cd & a Russian story dvd for LS. Also, Larry managed to find a funny hat. Our boys will be ever so pleased to see it.

Lunch was at the famous San Pizza, a favorite of families adopting from Astrakhan, and for good reason. It was yummy. While we ate, Vala discussed the court proceedings so we'll be prepared for Thursday. (GULP.)

With lunch finished, we went back to the baby home. This time we were able to play outside, for a very long time. LS was quite determined to get at the crackers again. She was NOT happy when we had to say no (after 3 big crackers), and when we couldn't let her pour water on herself, and when we couldn't let her climb in a car. This girl knows her mind. But we worked through the boundaries & frustrations, and ended up having so much fun. She would close Larry inside a big play structure, wave bye-bye to him, then run to me with her arms wide open. Over and over and over! She also loved having us fly her through the air and swing her between her legs and bounce her up and down. All I can say is, I'm going to have gorgeous biceps after a couple of months with this girlie. She was unhappy when we had to go in, but it was dinner time, so that eased the transition for her.

We left the baby home and drove to another favorite restaurant, the Chocolate Cafe. It was so good! Larry had a salad that had warm nuts & raisins in a sweet sauce over lettuce, then some fancy mashed potatoes & thin pancakes with apples. I ate a fabulous salad of lettuce, pears, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese, followed by delicious mashed potato cups filled with bacon, sauce, & some other yummies. For dessert we split a teensy Lilliputian cup of their famous hot chocolate, which isn't a drink, but more like chocolate fondue. Very rich, definitely made for sharing, quite delicious.

We walked back to the hotel (and didn;t get lost, hooray!) and found that the Internet was working - not only in the lobby, but in our room! So now I can sit in
bed and check email. This is luxury.

Tomorrow, we go for our final visit to the baby home, then have court in the afternoon. We're a bit nervous and would greatly appreciate all prayers & good vibes. We'll let you know how it turns out ASAP.