A smile and a mini tantrum

Steve, yet again. This morning was sunny and clear and seemed a bit warmer. I did like yesterday’s snow but I am sure we will see more of that before we leave. On the ride to the baby house, I helped Anya decipher some English from The Who’s, Behind Blue Eyes. I also think Anya appreciates that at least we have made an effort to try to use a few rudimentary Russian phrases as butchered as they may be.

Our morning visit was a mix of success and setback. As you may remember, I did promise to make Sergei laugh—or at least smile. We got quite a few smiles out of him this morning. He seemed to enjoy the extreme close up game, you know, moving toward him and back while generally acting foolish. He very much enjoyed this and he seemed to really enjoy more of the baby sky lifts (see photo). Terri and I have been working on our songwriting ability—with our smash baby hits, Baby Got A Mohawk and Boopy, Boopy, Boopy. Mohawk is definitely our deeper tune inspired by Sergei’s hair, which does seem to mostly be in the center of his head. Our first work, Boopy, is a simple song that is meant for more Top 40 mass appeal. Make no mistake—Terri is really the talent behind the lyrics. Yan came in and seemed a little more distracted. But the new toys were a hit. On the down side he was very focused on them instead of us. But I did make him giggle with the tickle game. His laugh really cracks me up. After playing a bit, Terri gave him a couple of cookies. This is when things went in a more southerly direction. When Terri would not produce any more cookies Yan became upset with us and ended up going over and plopping himself against a wall pouting. Apparently he wants to test us. Unfortunately, our visit ended, too.

After our visit we went to lunch at the same restaurant as yesterday. This time we had the noodle soup—much like chicken noodle soup and we split a blini. Anaya and our driver Bulat joined us. I like Bulat. He seems to like music and movies, including a lot of films I like. He also was familiar with the San Antonio Spurs—my kind of guy.

Our afternoon visit was short. There were no tantrums and a few more smiles all the way around. Two of the high points were helping Sergei walk around by bolding his hands and teaching Yan to give a high five. They seemed to really enjoy this. I played airplane with Yan a little bit and he seemed to laugh and enjoy this. Terri got Yan to relax a little as well and I think a bond with Sergei is starting to take place. Sergei seems to be getting comfortable with us and watched us intently as he was taken back to the nursery. I still think we have quite a ways to go with Yan, as he seems ready to leave when his time was up. While I am sure the caretakers have explained to him what is happening I don’t think he really gets it yet. Right now we are the people who come to play with him twice a day and are won’t give him all the animal crackers he wants.

Of course, no one said this would be easy. It is just a fact that attachment challenges will exist. It is almost like you can’t win initially, because we have been cautioned if they are too accepting of you it is just as bad as them not accepting you at all. I do try to keep it in perspective and it was only day three.

After the last visit, we went to a coffee house and had American style coffee and played 1950s rock ‘n roll. We ordered lattes and ice cream and chatted with Anya and Bulat. After this we went to the video store to look for the epic Kaz film Nomad. We had hoped to find a copy to take back with us but it was not available in the store we went to—maybe in Almaty. It was amusing to see all the movies that I was familiar with their Russian titles. I tried to find Caddyshack for my friend Doug, but to no avail. I was intrigued by a Russian film about the Soviet struggle in Afghanistan, unfortunately, it was not subtitled.

Tomorrow we visit with the orphanage doctor and review the medical records of the boys during our visit. Tune in tomorrow, same Kaz time, same Kaz channel.

The baby house

Sergei smiles!

The Gaines family