Suzannah and Mommy's Excellent Adventure

Okay, so it wasn't really an adventure, but work with me, okay?

Our one-week anniversary found Little Miss Suzannah feeling safe enough to attempt all sorts of new things today. At breakfast, she got down off the chair and tried to explore the room while Mommy the slowpoke was still eating. (They had hot rice cereal that tasted almost like rice pudding. Oh wow, it was so good!)She's also doing a LOT of imitating. And today she almost made a friend!

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

After the usual morning routines and such, we wrestled for control of her soul as I strapped her into the Demon Stroller, and then we set out. When we headed out of the hotel, we took a right and walked to the end of the riverwalk. Something is being built there, don't know what, but there's construction all up and down the waterfront. This area of town certainly seems to be doing well.

It was a cloudy and gray day, but the river was still lovely.



I wish I had a wide-angle option so I could show you the whole sweep of my view.

Then we walked down the river to the Aeroflot office and the statue of Peter the Great.



There were some tourists there, but we shooed them away like pigeons when they tried to get into our shot.

Then we went up the floral boulevard, where Mommy had to get a picture of November ROSES!!



Suzannah doesn't understand why Mommy is so blown away by the flowers. Mwahahaha. Wait until she faces her first Syracuse winter.

(Somebody shoot me now. The bar across the street is playing what sounds like the Chipmunks singing We Will Rock You. Thank heaven Freddy Mercury didn't live long enough to hear it. Also, there's some smoke-like scent wafting in through my open window, and I'm pretty sure it's not from cigarettes. Do they sell Cheez Doodles in Russia?)

Anyway, after a break to introduce my girl to the glories of Ritz Mix, we walked up toward the Kremlin. Here's a shot that shows the old fortifications. So cool to think how much history those walls have seen.



This shot is for Phyllis, who wanted to know how many leaves are still on the trees.



Lots of leaves have fallen, and I think the peak of the color-change is over, but as you can see, many trees still have lots & lots of foliage :-)

Once we got inside the kremlin, it was time for some testing of wills. We tiptoed inside the church (where all they seem to do is sell things), but we got some odd looks so I took her out. Well, of COURSE she wanted to go back in. Insert lots of attempts at running away here, followed by many instances of Mommy hauling her back from the door. I finally had to put her in the Demon Stroller and push her into the center of the kremlin, where she proceeded to have a pitiful meltdown. We rocked and cuddled and worked our way through.

Meanwhile, another adorable girlie, about the same age, was watching with very big eyes. I spent a lot of time peeking at her and waving. She never came all the way over to us, but she did venture close. I finally got Suzannah to look at the girl - then to get off my lap - then to take a step in her direction - etc, etc. She never got to the point of actually approaching the other girl, but she did watch her and imitate her, which was the closest she's come to actual play since we picked her up. So, success!

There were more tears when it was time to leave, but they weren't as intense. Thank heaven.

Astrakhan just celebrated the 450th anniversary of the founding of the town, and there are still signs everywhere, such as this bench:



There was a photographer selling pictures of the town in the kremlin. One shot really called to me: fireworks over the Azimut, with the kremlin visible in the background. Really cool. It's a good thing I had no idea how to ask if they had an unframed copy!

We stopped at the store on the way home and found Russian goldfish, oh happy day! Okay, they're not in individual packets, but I can deal.

Someone has decided that - for today, at least - she likes diapers better than the toilet. I think she peed on the toilet maybe once all day. Oh well. Every day, another adventure!

We also had an exercise in creativity today. I put her in her cute little jeans, but they're really too big in the waist. Usually I would pin them, but guess who came to Russia without safety pins? So I scratched my head and looked around and finally found the ultimate fashion accessory:



Yes. it's true - y child's jeans are belted with a travel clothesline. You work with what you have.

We didn't go out after nap today, other than to wander down to the lobby and do some exploring. Mostly we hung out in the room and played. Suzannah is really focusing on what I do and trying to imitate me. I told her a story tonight and she chattered nonstop, mimicking my words, gestures, and tones with great accuracy. She tried to spit in the sink after brushing her teeth. When I wash clothes, she's right beside me with her hands in the water. But here's one she didn't learn from me:



Nope, long phone conversations are something she must have picked up in the baby home!

I debated having a pizza delivered tonight (thank you for the suggestion!), but decided that at this point, a facsimile would be worse than nothing at all. I can tough it out. Tuesday is our last full day in Astrakhan. We get her passport on Wednesday afternoon and then we fly the friendly skies. Home is coming closer by the hour!

Finally, after a long day of running and learning and testing and watching and rocking and somersaulting and tickling and cuddling, here's how all excellent adventures must end:



Sleep sweet, precious girl.