We have gotten into a routine the past few days to help pass the time. We go out every day for a walk just to get out of the apartment...to the mall, the supermarket, or just around the block. Other than that, we are trying to keep the same schedule Ziva had at the orphanage as far as eating and sleeping is concerned.
Ziva is happy and in good spirits. We are amazed at how well she has adjusted to the huge change that has occurred in her life. She is such a joy to us and we are so enjoying getting to know her. We laugh a lot!
Ziva has been eating everything we have given her; this has been a pleasant surprise for us because we know she did not get a lot of variety in her food at the orphanage. When we eat salad for dinner, she gets a "salad" too- a little plate with cucumbers, feta cheese, and black olives- and she loves it!
Naptime and bedtime have been our biggest challenge so far; she doesn't get to sleep too easily. Ziva is used to a crib (there is no crib here) and we think that the "freedom" of being able to get up and out of bed is just too exciting (and tempting) for her. We have a crib waiting for her at home and we are hoping that will help...
We have had to (again) get creative with our play with Ziva. We have our few toys we brought from home, but they have gotten "old" very quick. Scott vacuums every day just so that Ziva can have a ride on it (sometimes the vacuum isn't even on!). We use water and milk bottles and cereal boxes as toys, and sometimes hats. And since Ziva loves the bath so much, we give her a bath two times a day. I can say with confidence that we have washed the awful "orphanage smell" off her!
In the last few days, Ziva has started to do the funniest and cutest thing. Because she is from an orphanage, she is a very tough and independent child. When we would play with her in the playroom, she would often fall very hard, but rarely would she cry. She would simply get up and keep running. We have been doting on her for weeks and whenever she did have a tumble, we would make a big deal of it, comfort her, and "kiss it better." Well, she ate all that attention up and she is loving it! Now, even if she has the slightest fall, she will "fake" cry, rub the spot where she got "hurt", and come to us for comfort and a kiss. That is not even the funniest part. After she has bumped herself and received the comfort and kiss, she will go back to the place where she got bumped and, on purpose, she will ever so lightly bump herself again just so she can "fake" cry and come to us for comfort and a kiss. She will sometimes do this 10 times in a row! It is so hard not to laugh when she does this. To watch her brush her head against the wall or the chair and then come for comfort over and over again is so sweet. We, of course, are thrilled that she wants to receive comfort from us...even if it is staged. We think she may have a future in acting...
We are awaiting news from our facilitator regarding Ziva's passport; please continue to pray that it arrives here in Kiev Tuesday night. We have rebooked our flights for Thursday morning and are really hoping that we will be on them!
Enjoy the photos of our girl!
Ziva and her baby blues. Did she get those from her mommy?
Going for our daily walk through the streets of Kiev...Ziva with her coat that is too big and wearing Mommy's scarf (we haven't found one for her yet!).
Look at Ziva's legs in this photo. She is a big copycat. When Scott was going to take the photo, I crouched down to get to Ziva's level... and what did she do? Copy me and crouch down too!
Ziva, fresh out of the bath, sporting her new "going home" outfit.
The washing machine intrigued Ziva. She even helped load it!
Ziva loves to read....anywhere!
Playing in the kitchen cupboard...it was Mommy's turn to go in next!
Water bottle sword fight with Daddy. (Also, notice the bib...it has replaced the sippy cup...she loves her bib and would be content to wear it all day!)
Riding the vacuum cleaner at Kiev's Wonderland.
This is a Honey Nut Cheerios-loving family...the crown is the proof.
Ziva decided she would like to read my book...and look, she is almost finished it!
3 comments:
Loved the pictures. Printed a picture of Ziva off the computer. People at our church wanted to know if we had more photos of our new granddaughter, so now I can take some again. Our choir leader during our prayer asked the Lord for a miracle to receive her passport in time. We will soon know. It will be quite an experience for Ziva to fly in the plane. Anxious to know you are all safe back home. Dad & Mom
Oh she is too cute! Looks like she is having fun!
Is your apartment in Independance Square? I recognize the couches. I think we might of stayed in the same apt.
I hope you get her passport tomorrow.
All the best
Patricia
p.s you have mail!
I might be around Toronto on Tuesday, so if you are home, maybe Kaeden and I could come for a visit. I will call you when I know for sure you are home and if it works out for you. Hope your wait goes by quickly and you indeed come home on Thursday. Thinking of you.
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