Day 2 with Bryant

  Our second day with Bryant went very well. We got to the orphanage around 11:30am. They brought him in to see us and again he smiled. I actually think he was not smiling because he wanted to see us but he remembered we had really good toys. He looked a little more hesitant today but Jeff held him up in the air and he started grinning. We then showed him Sophie the Giraffe (teething toy) we brought and he was so happy. He loves Sophie. There was a fish tank and bird in the playroom that he was very interested in. Liked to follow the fish. During both of our visits we have noticed his determination. If he wants a toy, our camera, video or anything else he will find a way to get it. He doesn't give up. We love this about him. I really think this personality trait is why he has done well in the orphange. We have learned in the orphanage it is survival of the fittest. Well compared to the other children he is the fittest not the biggest. He is very small but packs a big punch. The saying "big things come in small packages" comes to mind. This child has had a very rough start but he is a true fighter.
  We left for lunch so he could nap and went to the local mall. The day before we noticed that one of the other babies had a catepillar toy on her crib. We could not handle that our little boy did not have one so we were determined to find one. We found one at the toy store and we foolishly did not calculate rubles to dollars. So we just paid and walked out. Later Vlad, our driver, told us we paid $65 for this toy that would have been $12 at Walmart. Wow. Oh well our little one now has a catepillar on his crib too and I guess that is all that matters. Everything in Moscow are very expensive.
  When we returned he had woken up from his nap and was in a good mood. We played on the floor and he liked the riding toy. He was more verbal today (baby talk) and he did some copycat behavior which we thought was awesome. We brought bubbles for him which he really enjoyed but couldn't figure out why they popped. He let me hold him and play with his feet and hands. In Russia they dress babies in layers and layers of clothing and big socks. I can't handle this (it is 75 degrees inside) so I removed so layers. The bottom layer was a pair of white tights with pink owls and flowers. Poor thing had girls tights on. Our coordinater said they dressed him in his "sunday best." I am not sure what his casual clothes look like after seeing his best.
  Jeff and I met with the orphanage director who was extremly nice. She is a doctor and well respected. We learned there are 43 children in the orphange ages 0 to 4 years. They have a capacity for 100 children. So it is a good thing there numbers are low now. In Bryant's groupa there are 6 or 7 children with 2 caretakers. The orphanage employs 150 people with 3 paid doctors. The exterior is old and in a rough area of town. The interior is well kept and very clean. We commented to the workers how impressed we were and they were very appreciative. We gave the orphange director some donations, clothes, hats and gloves, toys, crt supplies, bubbles etc. It was like Grandfather Frost (Russian Santa Claus came). They were appreciative. We hope to bring more clothing next trip because after seeing what they have it is much needed.
  Then came the time to leave our little man. We gave lots of kisses and the tears were falling. The caretaker commented on how much he liked us and looked like ours. Don't know whether she says that to every adoptive family but it was sweet nontheless. As they took him down the hall to his groupa I caught one last glimpse of his big brown eyes and blew him a kiss. An emotional day it was.
  Now I have to focus on getting back to see my girls. I miss them so very much and can't wait to get home to see them. Oh how much I love them.

Here are a few pics from today:

Orphange Donations,

Bryants orphanage

Picture over Bryants Crib