First I want to thank everyone for their reassuring comments after my post on how difficult yesterday was for us. It's good to hear that we are normal and not alone in our fears. As you all indicated some sleep and food made the world a much better place this morning. Thankfully all three of us were able to get some sleep last night which made for a much better day. We had a slow start to the day and then this afternoon did a little sight seeing and took some family pictures in Red Square. We spent the evening back at the apartment to avoid anymore stimulation for Sasha today. Unfortunately the internet connection where we are staying in Moscow is dial up and we have no way to upload pictures. So, everyone will have to wait for more pictures of our sweet Sasha and of our time in Moscow until we return home. Red Square was abosolutely, without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The buildings in Moscow are either modern or centuries old and just amazing. The detail of the masonry work is fascinating and so ornate. I'm thankful we had the opportunity to see it today.
Sasha was a real trooper and I would say we all had a really good day. She still didn't like the ride in the van but it was nothing like what we experienced before. I think a few more "positive" outings and she will be a little more comfortable in the car. When she is at the apartment Sasha chatters nonstop. As soon as you take her outside she's silent. This is her way of shutting down and coping with all the stimulation. Seeing the dramatic difference in her personality confirms that we will have to be very careful about outings and having people around once we return home. Seeing this difference in her after three days is great. It shows she is bonding with us and building up trust but it also helps us know how to provide her with the best possible environment so she can adjust well.
Today we had several successes in parenting 101! The first is we figured out the whole potty thing. We left a diaper on her today but she didn't have to use it because we made it to the potty each time she needed to go! The biggest help was having a little potty chair for her to use once we got to the apartment. Apparently that's more like what they used at the baby home. We've also picked up on her cues that indicate she needs to go. Second, Matt got her to take a nap late this morning. Up to now it seems like she's been afraid to fall asleep during the day. Also, as she would go to sleep she did not want to be held. She would lie in her bed and rock herself back and forth. I'm sure this is how she put herself to bed each night at the baby home. Today we noticed a big change in that behavior. Matt was able to pace the room, in a sense rock her until she relaxed and fell asleep. This was how her nap came about but then tonight when we put her down as we had the past couple nights, she cried and didn't want to be left alone. We returned to her and Matt once again paced the room with her falling asleep on his shoulder. Third, at the baby home if Sasha fell down or bumped something she would get up and brush it off without a single tear. In an orphanage setting kids are not coddled or attended to when they are hurt. In fact often times a parent has to teach them what hurt feels like and how to properly express it. Today was the first time that Sasha came to us when she got an owie and allowed us to comfort her.
Some other new things for Sasha today included:
1. Her first happy meal from McDonalds! She loved the french fries.
2. She learned a new game with mama: ring-around-the-rosy! She was even going around the apartment a little later trying to sing the melody and we clearly heard the all fall down part!
3. Not only does she like her mama's shoes, she also likes mama's socks. Tonight she put on a pair of my socks and had them pulled all the way up like a pair of tights. Too cute!
4. We continue to play peek-a-bo games with her and she does well making good eye contact with us during these times.
I know we have a lot of challenges lying ahead of us but we are encouraged by the steps we've made in bonding with Sasha during our visits and after these first few days with her. Maybe we are just being naive and overly hopeful but it definitely boosts our confidence that we are at least doing some things right.
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