Dom and I vowed to go to the steps today to get pictures with Julianna. With the cooler weather in the morning, we opted to head out first thing, forgetting that the smoke/fog would cover the view to the river. Oh well...it was a great outing anyway and I got some awesome pictures of the two kids together. I"m sure Dom will have to go see Dr. Tierney (our chiropractor) when he returns b/c he hauled Julianna around in the fireman's carry a couple of times during our outing. She was good at first....but after she got tired, she started to run from us...so between not fully being able to communicate with her and our fear of the street traffic and crazy drivers...and poor little Julianna who had never experienced anything like this before, we agreed that the fireman's carry was probably the best! It was cute!
The walk to the steps was at least 1/4 mile...actually closer to 1/2. We stopped at numerous places on the return, i.e. the bank, the pharmacy, the school street vendors, and best of all the bakery. The bakery has a huge cake in the window and a fancy cake clown of sorts. Kenny and I only went there one time and that was to use the bathroom. So in honor of Kenny, we felt it only right to go and sample some of the treats. Two hours after we started out for the day, we finished with these luscious, and I mean scrumptious bakery items. Julianna picked the largest item that was dipped in chocolate on both ends. The three of us had a great time at this place. We even picked up another treat, just like Julianna's, and took it back to the church to give to Sister Virginia.
Returning to the church, we met an older woman who cleaned the floor on Mondays only. She and Julianna hit it off. Julianna called her baboushka...grandmother in Russian. The older lady even gave Julianna some candy. They talked together in Russian.
When we got to the upstairs and delivered Sister's treat to her, Julianna headed straight to the kitchen and started getting food out. It was almost noon, so I guess that meant she was hungry....she nearly fell asleep eating. Poor thing, she desperately needed a nap.
After a nap and a juice only snack, little Julianna and Mommy played a combination of soccer/kickball with a soft-filled softball sized ball. After 30 minutes, Julianna was exhausted! Meeting Dom at Subway, she had what they call a "snack" with turkey and cheese, skyped Angelo and Grandma at home, and had a drink. Julianna was content to practice her J's in the little notebook that I bought her and listen to my ipod or watch the video clips Kenny loaded. (Yes, she knows how to run the ipod already).
There was one moment during the day that I felt really bad for Julianna. I noticed that her right foot turns outward slightly when she walks and runs...probably b/c she didn't get the benefit of early intervention. I felt bad for her...I mentioned to Dom that if I were to consider adopting another child with a disability in the future, it would be a younger child due to the early intervention that the child cold receive and improve more fully his/her life. Dom said, "Well, Doc, I disagree with you 100%. Children like that will have a greater chance of getting adopted...not the older kids like the ones in the children's home where our little cutie is from. The older kids need us the most." So, Dom had observed and listened and watched Kenny and I all along this journey...Amen.
We finished our night inside because of a very heavy rain here in NN. Julianna was a little upset and made me get away from the outside door to the church...she shut it and went to our room.
For dinner, Julianna brought the following items to the table as we watched in amazement...carrot and tomato juice for me...cheese, apples, bread, and apple juice for her...and a package of soup for Dom. These were our favorite items that we had had a couple of times. She got the bowls, the cups, the spoons, ... we knew then that she was going to have a great time in our home and Dom and i agree that Gabby will have another helper when it comes to cleaning, as she is methodically neat with her things and wants them a certain way. Oh...and she didn't care for the peanut butter that I brought. I assured her that once she had one of Mommy's Mall Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, she would change her mind.
Her last couple of hours before bed, we have termed the "wild time" and she needs one on one help to get calmed down and refocused. Mom gave her another shower (oh no...I'm sure she's not had this many showers in the last six months) and we did the nightly things....teeth, brushing hair, she likes to color right before bed...and then to bed with prayers.
So, as I close this entry, both the kids are sleeping here in NN while my others, whom I am homesick to see, are finding things with which to entertain themselves when Grandma is with them. The girls have voice lessons, Angelo had therapy, and Vinnie is hoping to go to his friend's house. All in all, a good last full day in Nizhniy Novgorod.
Until tomorrow....Annie
PS...We leave NN at 7:00pm tomorrow and I will work diligently to get a blog posted before we leave. Since we are staying at the pilgrimmage connected to the cathedral in Moscow, I don't know if we will have internet access. We will try...but we may have to wait until Thursday morning our time/Wednesday PM yours to get something posted at the airport!
PSS...Tonight during Julianna's wild time, she had to go to the bathroom three different times while we were in the kitchen. So... this one time when I went with her she unrolled 50 sheets of toilet paper, dropped the bar of the soap in the toilet, opened the door on me while i was peeing, and then as she left the hallway, to go back upstairs, she turned out the light, shut the door, and held it tight on the other side as if not to let me out. When I opened the door she giggled, covered her mouth and ran to the alter to show reverence in a multitude of ways and then up the stairs. What an imp!!! But definitely a living saint!