Bah Humbug - Moscow Trip 2, Day 2

We’re in the car on the way back from the orphanage. Keith is listening to his ipod and I’m blogging – need to get this all out on paper, partly for therapy and partly so I don’t forget.

Today. Totally. Sucked. (and it’s not even over)

The day started with both of us up by 5:15 (I had been up since 3). We showered, chatted with Alex on the phone and then headed to McD’s for breakfast. After that, we went in search of a supermarket. We bought a few gift bags to put our orphanage donations in and then headed back to the hotel. Our driver and translator were going to be picking us up at 10:00.
Keith and I headed outside to wait. At 10:15 we went back inside to see if we had any messages. Low and behold, our translator had been sitting in the lobby waiting for us. So, now we’re running 15 minutes late, but in our minds we’re an hour and 15 minutes late since we typically leave for the orphanage at 9:00. On the way to the orphanage we were stuck in horrible traffic. I think both of our nerves were shot – first from being so tired, second because we knew the longer we were in traffic the less time we would have with the Peanut and third because we had no idea what his reaction would be.

Fast forward after an hour and a half of bumpy roads, pollution and crazy drivers – we arrive at the orphanage at 11:50. Please keep in mind the kids eat lunch at 12:15/12:30. The orphanage director wasn’t there so we spent some time waiting for her or for someone to open a room. They proceed to tell us that there is an outbreak of chicken pox and the kids have been quarantined. According to the Peanut’s medical, he’s already had the chicken pox so we know he’ll be okay. They finally decide to put us in the pyschologist’s office and no one can manage to get it unlocked. After another 10 minutes, they get the door unlocked and we head to the room we’re very familiar with.

Imagine our surprise when we walk in and see piles of things everywhere – the room is under construction or something. It was a disaster - what a great place to play with a toddler. We barely have time to put our bags in before one of the caregivers walks in with the Peanut. Miserable, absolutely miserable. He was okay for the first few seconds and then started SCREAMING and CRYING. Not a normal cry but an ear shattering cry. The caregiver tried to calm him down but he would have nothing to do with it. We whipped out all of our weapons – cheerios, the hammer, stacking cups… you name it. No dice.

The caregiver left the room and he just sobbed and sobbed. You know that kind of cry when you can’t get a deep breath in? That was this little guy. I tried everything. Walking, bouncing, cuddling, shoving cheerios in his mouth (not really but the thought crossed my mind), laying down . Nothing worked. Then it turns out he lost a slipper and screamed bloody murder about that. Keith found it and put it back on. That settled the waterworks for oh… a minute. He seemed very warm to me (like he had a fever) but I couldn’t tell if it was because of the crying jag or because he didn’t feel well (turns out, I think he’s sick because once he calmed down he was still very warm).

I tried to hand him off to Keith but he clung to me and said “Nyet”. Oh, the look on my husband’s face broke my heart. We finally got him calmed down and he ate cheerios. Keith sat far away and video taped. I kept telling the Peanut to go see Papa and was met with a firm “Nyet”. After a little while he would go over and give Keith cheerios, but that was it. He spent most of the time on my lap eating. He popped some of the bubbles Keith was blowing but would shy away from him if he got near.

After a short while (and I mean short) he heard the clanging of dishes and knew it was lunchtime. That started the waterworks again. Thankfully, his caregiver came and took him away when she heard him screaming. Keith gathered our stuff faster than I’ve ever seen and we headed downstairs to where our translator was meeting with the orphanage director. She asked us how it went and we laughed – well, I did. Keith’s sense of humor was long gone and I can’t say I blame him.

She recommended we come see him at least once every 3 days but we plan on doing it more than that. At this point, if it breaks the budget and helps make our transition easier then oh well. Money is only money, right? Besides, Alex should be watering that money tree I have in the backyard while we’re gone.

My heart is broken for Keith – I know it’s typical, I know it happens to everyone, but you just have no idea how excited he was. There was nothing more he wanted then to hear that little belly laugh. I tried to tell him that maybe he was mad because we left but he’s convinced he didn’t remember us – and maybe he didn’t. It’s okay and it will be okay. Right? Right.

So, in typical guy fashion he is listening to his ipod and de-stressing. I on the other hand am ready for a glass of wine and a nap. Unfortunately, we need to go to the CSS office and then back to our hotel to prepare with our translator for court. It would have been much easier to prepare for court had we have had a good day!

Court tomorrow is at 10 instead of 11. We'll be leaving the hotel at 8:20 to get there. Keep us in your thoughts!

Becky