Counting down the Days

The weekend was an adventure as each day has been. On Saturday our driver Sergey was off and we had a different driver. They always arrive promptly on time and have to wait for us to get the three doors open for us to exit the apt. We have a routiene down now as to who carries what. Big water bottle check, cookie and apple for Leah check, pocketbook more like suit case check, toy bag check,keys check, camera check ok lets go. It is always a challenge to get out with out forgetting something. We arrive at the baby house about 10 minutes later with the same anticipation as if it were the first day. Christopher is always the first up the stairs and cannot wait to see Leah. We also want to run but being the adults we restrain ourselves. Each time we walk into the room and she sees us and that beautiful smile crosses her face we all understand this leap of faith was well worth all that we have been through to get here. She usually is just getting up from her morning nap and still she is smiling. Her care givers change her into the clothes we brought and out the door we go to explore the outside. We take turns holding Leah and entertaining her and then she wants the apple. She knows it there and eyes up the pocketbook. I wish she could know Dad is the one who peals the apple each day just prior to leaving so it stays as fresh as possible. He also is the one to make sure we don’t forget the cookie. One day I am sure she will know how much we love her if she doesn’t already.
After our visit its back inside for lunch. The caregivers greet her much like we do with smiles and obvious affection. I can imagine when we come for her the final time there will be tears shed from both sides of the world. I pray they can see we will love her as they do. They have already asked us to send pictures for their family wall. In the visiting room there are a few family pictures on the wall and Sveta tells us they want us to send photos back. We will.
We decide today we need do something with Christopher so its bowling Kazakhstan style. Our driver dutifully takes us, but not before running a red light and getting us pulled over by the police. Talk about tachycardia. No problem a warning and we are off to bowling. I must keep my practice up for the bowling babes. The lanes are a lot like those in USA 50 year ago but Brunswick is alive and well in Ust Kamenogorsk. After a few games we take a stroll by the river and then its time to go back to the baby house.
Leah is happy and ready for our afternoon visit. We have the playground to ourselves. Quiet peaceful and the times passes quickly. Another day closer to forever.