It’s freezing here today! We even saw some snow. From what we’ve been told, this is the normal weather for this time of year. The rest of the week had just been unseasonably warm. I’m so glad I had my gloves and earmuffs and wish I had packed my hat as well.
We had a good visit with Reagan today. As soon as they brought her to the “visiting” room, she held her arms out for me. She was in a good mood with many smiles. There was big progress with “Papa” today – she sat in his lap and played for quite a while. She is fascinated by the texture of his face and is quite intrigued with whiskers. She is still enjoying her picture book I made her. She will now point to “Mama” and “Papa” (we'll change that to Mommy and Daddy later) when asked. I really hope they review it with her when we’re gone so she doesn’t forget us!
Knowing that tomorrow is my last day with her is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine leaving her here now that I’ve held her in my arms, smelled her sweet scent, and seen her adorable smile. She seems well cared for, the orphanage is nice and clean, and she looks well-fed so I know she will be fine. I know that in my head, but convincing my heart is a much tougher job.
After our visit with Reagan, we did some more sightseeing, trying to capture all we can about the city where she was born so we can share it with her some day. Today, we went to the Church of the Spilled Blood, bought Russian gifts for her, and went to Peter and Paul Fortress. I was fascinated by the architecture and the history; Doug’s favorite part was the statue of Peter the Great where his head looked way too small for his body. I don’t think the tour guide appreciated our laughter at the monument!
I’ve included a picture of what we’ve had to walk on during most of the sightseeing. I’ve been so careful about watching where I walk so I wouldn’t twist an ankle. The ironic thing is that I convinced Doug to venture out several blocks from the hotel tonight by ourselves to find an Italian place for dinner, and I didn’t see a step just inside the restaurant and fell flat on my face! I finally fit in with my black pants and black shoes and still made a spectacle of myself!
Tomorrow, we will be leaving directly from our visit with Reagan to head to the airport. We’ll fly to Amsterdam and spend the night there in the airport Yotel (which looks online much like a small cruise-ship cabin). That should be an adventure! Then Saturday, it’s on to Houston where hopefully we’ll be back in time to trick-or-treat with Parker.
Pictures above: 1. Reagan holding Daddy’s hand. 2. Church of the Spilled Blood 3. Peter the Great with the tiny head 4. Church at Peter and Paul Fortress 5. The street where I didn't trip
We had a good visit with Reagan today. As soon as they brought her to the “visiting” room, she held her arms out for me. She was in a good mood with many smiles. There was big progress with “Papa” today – she sat in his lap and played for quite a while. She is fascinated by the texture of his face and is quite intrigued with whiskers. She is still enjoying her picture book I made her. She will now point to “Mama” and “Papa” (we'll change that to Mommy and Daddy later) when asked. I really hope they review it with her when we’re gone so she doesn’t forget us!
Knowing that tomorrow is my last day with her is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine leaving her here now that I’ve held her in my arms, smelled her sweet scent, and seen her adorable smile. She seems well cared for, the orphanage is nice and clean, and she looks well-fed so I know she will be fine. I know that in my head, but convincing my heart is a much tougher job.
After our visit with Reagan, we did some more sightseeing, trying to capture all we can about the city where she was born so we can share it with her some day. Today, we went to the Church of the Spilled Blood, bought Russian gifts for her, and went to Peter and Paul Fortress. I was fascinated by the architecture and the history; Doug’s favorite part was the statue of Peter the Great where his head looked way too small for his body. I don’t think the tour guide appreciated our laughter at the monument!
I’ve included a picture of what we’ve had to walk on during most of the sightseeing. I’ve been so careful about watching where I walk so I wouldn’t twist an ankle. The ironic thing is that I convinced Doug to venture out several blocks from the hotel tonight by ourselves to find an Italian place for dinner, and I didn’t see a step just inside the restaurant and fell flat on my face! I finally fit in with my black pants and black shoes and still made a spectacle of myself!
Tomorrow, we will be leaving directly from our visit with Reagan to head to the airport. We’ll fly to Amsterdam and spend the night there in the airport Yotel (which looks online much like a small cruise-ship cabin). That should be an adventure! Then Saturday, it’s on to Houston where hopefully we’ll be back in time to trick-or-treat with Parker.
Pictures above: 1. Reagan holding Daddy’s hand. 2. Church of the Spilled Blood 3. Peter the Great with the tiny head 4. Church at Peter and Paul Fortress 5. The street where I didn't trip
Not pictured: me actually tripping
No comments:
Post a Comment