After a restful day yesterday we were up early for the long drive to Armavir. When we arrived the gate was closed going into the baby home and we realized it was another Russian holiday. Thankfully our facilitator was able to go in and visit with a caregiver and work out a visit. Since it was a holiday there were no administrators on the grounds today, just caregivers with their individual groups of kids. Interestingly, it seemed Sasha new the administrators were gone today because she wandered around the grounds more freely and explored areas more than she has on previous visits. Just like last week she was excited when she saw us and came right to us. The expressions on her face are priceless and she is very animated at times. Our facilitator says that’s what she will miss most and how she will remember Sasha once we leave Krasnodar.
Last Thursday we took some little gummy snacks with us and taught her how to use sign language and words to ask for more. Matt kept the little package of fruit snacks in his shirt pocket that day and would pull one out for her when she used the correct word/sign. Well, today one of the first things she did was go to him and look in his shirt pocket. It appears that she remembered where he kept those yummy little snacks and she was ready for more! We waited a bit and then when he pulled another package out today she immediately asked for more using the proper sign and word. When he said okay she giggled and wiggled and her face lit up. This was a common response every time she would get another one. When the package was empty we were able to show her that they were all gone and used words and sign language to explain. She took a minute to observe and consider what we were saying and then accepted it, gave us the empty trash and did not ask for any more. We were very pleased with this exchange because between words, actions and signs we communicated with her and she understood us well. The result was a content little girl who was ready to move on to something else.
I think the funniest thing that happened today was when Matt started dancing and she copied him. She loves music and loves to dance. Unfortunately she will be sad to discover that her mama and daddy have no rhythm or dancing ability whatsoever. Nonetheless, it was awfully cute watching her interact and copy Matt’s actions. Another fun activity we’ve been doing with her is picking dandelions that are at the white fluffy seed stage and she blows them. Today she had a pail so we went around collecting “flowers” and putting them in her pail. It only took me putting a couple in her pail before she knew exactly what to do and we went on a mini adventure to see how many we could collect.
Today we saw some good indications of her beginning to trust us. In addition, there were a couple times when she turned to us for help with something rather than just trying to take care of it herself and becoming frustrated. Up to now that has been the more common practice. While it was difficult to leave her after the first trip and the drive to Armavir is a long one, these visits have really helped us begin to connect with her in an environment that is safe and comfortable. I think that will definitely help ease some of the fear and anxiety she will be faced with leaving the baby home in a couple of days. We will spend one last day tomorrow just visiting her before we all leave together on Thursday. Continue to lift Sasha and these last couple days that she has at the baby home with her friends and caregivers up in prayer.
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