Happy new year, everyone! Our new year has been full of much joy and laughter already! We have settled into a routine here in Kremenchuk. We visit Ziva twice a day; in the morning visit, we bundle her up and go outside for a while. And today is the third day in a row that we have actually seen the sun and there has been a blue sky! That has also raised our spirits.
Because of the holidays here and now the weekend, the playroom has actually only been open once for us. So we are confined to a small coat room, which isn't the best. It is a challenge to "entertain" her for 2 hours! We brought some toys from home, but she is more interested in "playing games" with us and emptying the lockers of their coats, snowpants, and hats. She also likes to get into the plants and bang on the door of the playroom where her friends are. Like all kids, she knows when she is misbehaving and thinks it quite funny.
Today we just let her run up and down the hall, and boy, can she run! She ran for at least an hour. She is full of spunk and energy, that's for sure. She isn't talking yet (in Ukrainian), but she is very vocal and we do lots of pointing and guesturing. Her favourite book is a photo book that I made that is full of pictures of Scott and I. She "reads" it and when she comes to a page, she'll point to the picture of Scott or I and then look up at us. She is making the connection! We have noticed that she is already responding to her new name as well. We chose Ziva, but we will keep Katarina as a middle name- her full name will be Ziva Katarina Boersma Calder. Ziva is also the biggest copycat. Whatever Scott and I do, she will immediately copy us; it is so funny. We are also discovering that she is a very determined little girl. It is truly amazing how much we have learned about her in just a few days with no language to help us!
We have only 3 1/2 hours between visits with Ziva. We use that time to run errands, since it is dark after our afternoon visit. To those of you have emailed me, I will try and get back to you, but I only have about an hour at the internet cafe and then it's time to go back to the orphanage. We are really, really hoping to get internet in the apartment so I can email more often and post pictures.
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4 comments:
It is indeed a Happy New Year. So happy to hear all the good news about Ziva. What a treasure she is. Can't wait to see her myself. Isn't it amazing that the sun has chosen now to make an appearance?
I was already wondering about the name. I couldn't figure out how her name was katarina and then, ziva. But now I know that is the name you have given her. Anyways, Can't wait to meet the little ziva. Take care.
How exciting this year has been for you. I bet you just can't wait to bring her home. If you need a little playmate when you get back Brianna is the same age as her. Take care and enjoy your time with her.
We are soooooo happy for all 3 of you. We were beginning to think nothing was going to go right, but I now see that God is answering in his own way. Can't wait to see your little girl,our newest grandchild. Love you all. Mom and Dad Anderson
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