180 degrees (Moscow Trip 1, Day 4)

Let start off by saying that I am SO glad I'm not the only blog stalker out there. I stalk and stalk and stalk. From work (shhh...), from my blackberry in traffic and from home. On our blog, we typically get about 200 visits per day. Yesterday there were about 1,020. You mad clickers! :-) Thank you SO much for all of your comments. Last night (it was after midnight here) I read each one as they came in and would cry. Not a cry-cry, but I would get teary eyed, blink, they would fall and onto the next comment. Rewind, repeat. You all make me feel so normal about this detached feeling and that means more then I could ever tell you!

So... onto today and the blog title. 180 degrees. I'm happy to say, my attitude took a 180 degree turn today. I went from detached to smitten. We have the cutest little boy with the most contagious laughter. I mean, seriously contagious.

We got to the baby home at about 10:30 (it took us about an hour and a half to get there). The orphanage director told us the Peanut was about to head out with his groupa to play outside. We waited in the lobby and heard the rumbling of little feet. In a straight line, all of the kids headed to the back door. As soon as they saw us their eyes lit up and our hearts broke. Many said Hi and then a few came running over. The caretaker starting guiding them outside. She handed the Peanut to me (to hold his hand) and another little boy grabbed my other hand saying "Mama, Mama" and something elese I didn't understand. He started pulling at me while I have the Peanut dragging along not making any eye contact. Nice.

I didn't realize until I watched the video, but another little boy ran up to Keith and threw himself around Keith's legs hugging him. Heartbreaking. We made it outside - me with 2 kids and Keith with none. It took a while to get the other boy to go play with his groupa and when he left he cried. Ugh. But back to the good stuff...

The Peanut had my hand tightly but each time I tried to talk to him he would turn his head away from me. He was checking me out of the corner of his eye but no matter where I positioned myself, he would turn away. Frustrating to say the least, but understandable. I asked Keith to get out the "magic potion"... BUBBLES.

Boy, did that work. He and Keith played and played. He watched Keith blow bubbles maybe 2 times and then he wanted to try. After that, he would not part with the wand. He blew them, chased after them and laughed and laughed. I took the bubbles from Keith and we did the same for a while.

We played a little bit with the ball we brought but that didn't hold his attention for long. Then came the fun. I started a little chasing game with him and then I found his tickle spot. Boy oh boy did that get him going. He giggled non-stop. We got to the point where I was at one side of the area we were playing in and he was at the other. I had my arms wide open and he would run to me with his open. We'd "hug" and I'd pick him up, twirl him around and then tickle him until I couldn't hold him anymore. (Note to self: By 15 pound dumbells to build strength)

Then Keith started playing on the slide with him. He would walk him up the slide and then say "One, Two, Three" and the Peanut would slide down, holding Keith's hands. After about 10 minutes (I kid you not), he was sliding on his own AND saying "One, Two, Three" in English. The kids a sponge. Keith and the Peanut started a tickling game and when I tell you that it is KILLING ME to not be able to post the awesome pictures I took, that's a complete understatement. The pictures are so freaking cute. All the more reason to get a quick court date, right???

We ended the day on the slide. Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. The little boy who wanted to play with us earlier that I told you about... he came back over. The Peanut and Keith were playing with the bubbles and this little boy was chattering on. Of course I couldn't understand anything but the Peanut did. The Peanut held onto Keith's pant leg with a death grip. At one point the boy got too close to Keith and our little guy pushed him out of the way and said something like "My Papa!". So, we have a territorial little guy!

As we were walking into the detsky dom (orphanage), the Peanut was holding my hand and Keith's. It was too narrow for all three of us to get through so Keith let go of his hand. The Peanut stopped dead in his track and turned around to wait for Keith. We got to the next doorway and I let go - same reaction. He wasn't going anywhere without either of us.

He does tend to pull away we if try face to face eye contact (if we're holding him he'll bend backwards) or when he initially sees us he'll roll his eyes back in his head or off to the side to avoid looking at us. Completely normal. We're big people - big strangers to him and he can't trust us. I'm sure he wants to, but it will be some time! I hate the idea of leaving without him this week but we love his orphanage and caregivers and we know they'll work with him to help him remember us. The psychologist gave us "homework" last night. We had to answer questions about our home and family. We also had to decorate the questionnaire with drawings and such. They are going to read it to him every night from now until the time we get back to help him adjust and remember us.

It's so important, at his age, that he know that we didn't abandon him and that we are coming back. His trust has been betrayed twice and they know he's sensitive.

So, in summary, it was an awesome day for all of us. Keith was already on cloud nine and now I am. The Peanut is on cloud 2 which is one step up from 1. I'll be happy if he makes it to cloud 9 in the next year or two! :-)

Many hugs!
Becky

P.S. Spell check doesn't work... please don't grade this essay! :-)
P.S.S. DUH. I forgot the MOST important thing! We signed the petition to adopt him today! We have named him but will hold off on sharing until Gotcha Day. Tomorrow we'll be heading to the notary to have our papers notarized so they can be filed in court. Woooohooooo!