When you’re the favorite

As I've said so often throughout this wait, to think like a Soviet you first think as an American and then do the opposite. So I "thought" we'd go to the baby home this morning (actually that's what Alex had said I believe) but last night after we had blogged we got a call that we would be leaving at 1:30pm today! Oh well, we go with the flow.

So this morning wasn't too exciting, other than the maintenance guys banging on our window to tell us they were going to be roping off an area and shoveling the snow off the roof. At least this is what Brian got out of them when he went out to see why they pounded on our window and yelled in to us! But then there was further excitement later when the Police were in the parking lot! One of the BMWs in the lot had its back window shattered so we're not sure if the show shovelers did it or it was vandalism or what – but there was quite the crowd for awhile but then we had to leave so we didn't see the conclusion.

We again gave Andrew's friend, Igor, a ride to Cheremkhovo so Brian got the front seat again. Igor didn't have quite as many questions this time, the novelty of talking to foreigners' maybe wore off some! Small funny story – Igor likes to point out things of interest along the way to us. We learned that one town we go through has a Salt Factory and the name of the town is something like "salty". But then in the next town he was pointing something out to me and saying, what I thought was, "brat house" – I couldn't figure out what he meant so I just kept smiling… but he knew I didn't know and finally Andrew somewhat sheepishly translated telling me "it's a place where ladies do things for money" – ah, "brothel"! I didn't want to ask Igor how he knew that tho – LOL!

Once in Cheremkhovo at the BH we didn't have to wait long to see Nathan Genya again…. He came in and gave big hugs with a big smile! I told him "tee moy seen" (you're my son) and he nodded. Then off to hug his daddy too. The visit was in many ways a repeat of ones we had done before – he loved rolling on the big balls like last time. In fact "papa pama-gee majeek" (papa help me on the ball) was what he said a lot! I had to laugh at one point as Nathan had Brian running every which way – I laughingly told Brian that when you're the favorite parent you are always on the go! I got to just watch. When Nathan would do something we had told him not to tho we'd remove him from the situation and then I'd have him sit on my lap and we'd read a book. He liked to have the toy telephone in his hand most of the time but at least he didn't need to keep pushing the buttons while I was reading tho! He wanted to do the paint with water again and even went to get an extra paintbrush so I could do it with him! We played with a blow-up ball some and also with some of the special effects in the room (disco ball, cool lighted mirror and the fish lamp again)… but mostly he wanted to ride around on the big ball with Brian. I do wonder sometimes on these translation books and sheets that I have to help us communicate. I told him in Russian to "lay on your back" and he followed it MOSTLY as he laid down but on his tummy! I also caught why last time he was laughing when I called our cat a dog (in Russian) as the pronunciation on my sheet got a line off! I did tell him the dog's name is Candy! I also was doing "Eskimo kisses – ugga, mugga" with him for awhile – he loved it and howled with laughter! I keep doing touching and cuddling type of activities and so far he's willingly accepted them all!

So really not many pictures to post from today other than the one where Nathan got the camera and wanted to take pictures. He got a great one of Brian and I -- I'm having a problem loading pictures right now so might have to check back to see a good one. He also did a few where we have no heads or are completely out of focus so those stay in the family album! He always wants to be taking pictures or videos so we really have to watch our equipment.

Our next trip to the orphanage will be to bring him back to Irkutsk with us – either Friday or Saturday. Today we got more details about this day – they made sure I had clothes to bring for Nathan and asked us to get some toys for his group – development type toys like blocks or such… so we have more shopping to do! They also asked if we wanted to be there when he said goodbye to his group or if we just wanted to take him away. We answered that we want to be there when he said goodbye to his friends and caregivers. I hope we can video it but if not we hopefully can get some good pictures. They'll also be giving us his medical file and schedule and other information that date. It's hard to believe that is coming! I asked if Nathan was ready for that day at the end of the week and Andrew replied that he thought he was ready NOW! But as usual he willingly left to go back to his group so it's not as hard to leave then.

We were hungry when we got back to town and had eaten the leftovers for lunch so we again went to the restaurant across the street. I violated my "never order the same food item twice" rule but it was fine… my chicken dish was as delicious as last week! Brian again had spaghetti with meat. We both had salads – Brian's was Greek and mine was called "Pekinese" and it did have slight Asian flavor.

So not a real exciting report today but sort of just a regular visit day for us – Nathan is happy to see us, listens well, we do a variety of activities but the best was he gave us big hugs and kisses ON THE LIPS when we were leaving! Nice!