Great visit with Hannah

Today is Dad's birthday so I always think of him --he would have loved my little girl and I am sad they don't get to meet but I know he is watching over me and nodding approval.

As I was waiting in the lobby for my coordinator to take me to the orphanage this morning, I met another American Couple--the Smith's. They are here on their second trip and have court tomorrow so they are just one week behind me. We are getting together this evening for supper with Trevor and Wendi--so some more new friends--it's great.

Today was a really good visit. Hannah seemed surprised and excited to see me and came running right into my arms with a big hug. She was actually pretty calm at the beginning of the visit and sat on my lap for a while but that didn't last long--she is a mover. They had various music classes in the room while we were visiting so other kids were coming and going. At times it distracted Hannah but she never wanted to join them. In fact she started pushing the other kids away when they came around me. She seemed much more attached to me today but also pushed me a little more than every before--a couple times doing things she knew she wasn't supposed to do and then looking at me for my reaction. She is a smart girl. She definitely wanted my attention today. She also said a few more words so it was nice to hear her talk as she almost never does. She was looking at family pictures and when I would ask "Kto eta?" or "Who's that?" she would always say Mama or Raisa so then I started pointing at my siblings and she started repeating their names after me--she only did Grandma, Teresa, and Kevin but that's a good start.
When our visit was over we said our good-byes and she was with her caregiver when I started picking up my stuff and all of a sudden she ran over and wrapped her arms around my legs--it was so wonderful. I hugged and kissed her until they said she needed to go and then she went happily. It is getting harder each time to leave--I should only have one more time when I have to leave her.
I have been having a hard time getting good pictures--I only brought my little pocket camera this trip and I am missing my better one. She moves so fast and the camera has such a delay from pushing the button that most of the pictures are of her leaving or moving away. I also miss the best smiles and laughs because they occur when we are playing and no one is there to take pictures of us. But I do usually manage to get a few good ones.

Gretchen wanted pics of my purchases so here they are:
This cross is filled with amber which is actualy amber colored and will be for Hannah when she gets older.

This jewelry is all for me--it is green colored amber and silver--bracelet, earrings, ring, and pendant.

The picture of the little chapel--the very first building in Krasnoyarsk in the 1600's. This will go in Hannah's room at home


I forgot to mention that this is my 100th post to this blog--to mark this event, the first person to comment will get a special gift from Russia.