Marina's First Tears for Mom, Dad, and Grandma

Greetings,

Well today was Sunday, so we only were able to visit Marina for the morning session. It is amazing how three adults can sit around and wait and then get so excited to visit a little munchin. We tell time around here by the amount of time left until our next Marina visit. So, we had our visit with her, and she was her typical pleasant self. We played and she cooed and was "talkin'" to us. Then, we tried to go out for our usual walk, but after we got all "snuglied" up and walked outside, we decided it was too windy (chilly) to walk with Marina. She was very disappointed, as she really enjoys our walks. Usually, she is very tired after playing for a long time and then with a walk and all, and by 11:30 she is usually ready for a nap. Well, today was the typical, except that she doesn't like to miss anything. So, as she got tired, she was fighting sleep. We had our first cry. However, I was able to calm her down and she fell asleep in my arms. She is a mama's girl when she is tired. Daddy doesn't like when she cries and becomes squirmy wormy and then he stiffens up. :-) It is difficult to hand Marina back over to the care-givers everyday. We anxiously await the day we can bring her back to the hotel with us.

For the afternoon, we walked to an electronic store because our friend needed to purchase a new camera, hers broke while here. I think that the store rivles Circuit City. When my friend purchased the camera, they even tossed in a coffee maker as a present. She was really excited about that. Then, mom, Lonnie and I walked to market. We got a few groceries, Mom and Lonnie got soda---go figure, and Lonnie got some chocolate mix for some milk he is going to try. Then, we went to the flea market section and we purchased about 5 outfits for Marina. It is very difficult to find things in the correct sizes, as they are different here. So, I gesture the sign of a baby and try to figure it out. Knowing the numbers in Russian from one to ten has really come in handy. :-) We also purchased a few socks and 2 small shoes for Marina. And, the best part is that the stuff is really cheap, so I didn't spend much. I think that I will donate most of the stuff to the orphanage before we leave. We also got a battery recharger for 5.00--Lonnie was thrilled, and we got a basin for mom to wash dishes in, she HAD to have it.

Mom is going stir crazy and has cleaned and reorganized the room about 50 times already. She is driving us crazy. Lonnie just asked if she ever stops. She moves all of our stuff from one stop to another and then back again. I think she is just about to alphabetize all the contents of every drawer. She keeps restacking and packing and sorting and separating the food. AHHH!!

Well, in general we are faring well. Please keep me in your prayers as my one tooth is bothering me some. We are enjoying our time with Marina and try to keep somewhat preoccupied while away from the orphanage.

Mom just asked when she gets to write her own version or blog, but since she doesn't even know what a blog is, I told her never.

love to you all,
us