The Pitman's Journey To Russia

Our journey to adopt three beautiful children from Vladivostok, Russia

Monday, July 28, 2008

Day One at the Baby House

Good evening (at least from here),
What a day! We started out leaving about 9:00 am to go to the Ministry of Education office. We were told that she is really busy and probably would not ask us any questions but they were wrong. She grilled us on what we did and did we ask to adopt three and several other questions. It is very unnerving when someone else is telling you what that person is saying and then telling them your answers. She gave us permission to see the children though and all was good.
I was going to use the restroom before we left the building but when I walked in and saw that their were no toilet seats or toilet paper I decided I could hold it! Irina then took us on a tour of the waterfront (the Sea of Japan) and through a little museum. We then went back to the hotel and changed clothes and ate lunch. We headed to the baby house to see the youngest child. The scenery on the drive is much like what you would see in Augusta, very hilly. Luckily the roads are not like that and we made it there without getting sick. When we got to the baby house I didn't know what to expect, it is kind of in the middle of town (the town is pretty run down).
We went up a couple of flights of stairs into the directors office and were told that SURPRISE - the little girl is still there! I kinda freaked for a moment because we only brought stuff to do with the boy. They were just getting up from their naps and had to eat a snack and put on new clothes first. We heard the little boy from down the hall crying, supposedly someone that normally wears normal clothes was in a white coat and he thought they were a doctor and he was going to get a shot. When they came in Irina took the boy on here lap and the little girl went right to Eric because he had animal crackers and markers & paper. I spent about 15 minutes with the caretaker writing down all the info I could on the kids. They said that the girl was a leader and loved to play with dolls and play doctor. She said the boy likes cars and horses. Everyone then left us alone and we sat on the floor to color with the kids. Neither of them would really even look at us. The boy was a little more social then the girl. They said we could bring the kids outside to the little playground and since they turned the A/C off in the room once we got in there I told Eric that we should take them outside. That was the best move ever. I wish I had thought to bring the cable to our video camera. Once we put them on the slide they just lit up. They are very, very cute and very smart. After a little bit the girl was more interested in the video camera and regular camera. I showed her how to work the regular camera and she was just snapping away. We then went through my purse and of course she was questioning everything but I couldn't understand a word of it. We then went back inside and colored
more. By then they were already comfortable with us. It was so cute because when we were leaving the girl didn't want us to go and asked if we would be back tomorrow. So far that made the whole trip worth while!

5 comments:

Joel and Clarion said...

How fantastic!! It was so wonderful to read your blog this morning and know that you have met two of your children. We were thinking of you all day yesterday and saying "I wonder if they have seen them yet." We hope your meeting with the oldest goes well. You all are in our prayers. God's blessings on your day!

Cindy said...

Your first visit sounds wonderful! I'm glad things went well. How has the weather been there since there is no AC? Good luck on tomorrow's visit!

Cindy

Shane and Kathy Gebhardt said...

Congrats on a GREAT first visit! It sounds like everything went very well. We're so happy for you and can't wait to read more about your journey.

God's Blessings,
Shane, Kathy, and Trey

Tony and Dawn said...

How wonderful! I am sure they just melted your hearts! Glad to hear the first visit went so well. I know the anticipation of the next visit can be nerve wracking, but y'all are doing great! God Bless -

Bill and Myra said...

I am so!

Fair warning - you will see very few toilet seats in Vladivostok (except in your hotel!). After a while, you get used to it. You have to ask Irina about the bathrooms at Ruslan's camp - they were disgusting!

Blessings to you on your trip this week. We head home today!

Myra