We can't believe that it's Monday evening already! Time goes by so quickly and our days have been so full. We have seen our baby, Julia Marian Miller, three times and she has captured our hearts! We have named her Julia because Austin, Bruce and Carrie all agreed that we like the name and Marian after Carrie's maternal grandmother who was and is even after her death a soul mate and spiritual presence. Bruce can make Julia laugh and today she fell asleep in Carrie's arms which is probably one of the few times she has fallen asleep in the warm embrace of an adult. It is always hard to leave her at the end of our visit.
We had a very special tour of the Delfin Baby House given by Dr. Irina and our interpretor and guide, Olyssa. Dr. Irina and her staff are meticulous in their cleanliness and order. The children are wonderfully cared for and looked after. They have a full-time seamstress who "creates" the atmosphere of the children's rooms with beautiful curtains in addition to sewing and repairing linens and clothing. There is a full cleaning service in the facility and they wash 10 tons of laundry daily! They have a complex kitchen and pay close attention to ensuring that the children get well balanced meals and that the food is both healthy and abundant. They have a sauna, a swimming pool, an auditorium for children's productions, a piano in every group room, a massage specialist, a social worker, speech and language specialist, a full-time nursing staff and four pediatricians. They even have a sea salt room so that if a child has breathing problems they go with their whole group for play in the sea salt therapy room. It is remarkable what Dr. Irina has developed and oversees. The President of Kazakhstan's wife has given the Delfin Baby Home the country's highest honors. It is the only one we've seen but we agree that it is remarkable!
On Thursday, Kazakhstan celebrates a three day Women's Day celebration and all women are recognized! Good for them!
Tomorrow after our visit with Julia, we plan to visit the outdoor markets and explore the city.
3 comments:
Dear Carrie and Bruce
Thinking of you every moment. This is bringing back to me my month in Asuncion when I adopted Ben and I am searching diligently (although so far without success) for the journal I kept then.
Edith
Julia sounds like a wonderful name.So fitting of a blue eyed strawberry blonde.We are hanging on to every word you give us. Sooo please tell more of what is going on. We love you, Donna & Jeff
Julia Marian Miller-one year old - I'm trying to see how long she is and how much she weighs, what size she might wear. I see her laughing with the two of you and I see her sleeping. I'm smiling...and crying...Love to you, Dee and Tom
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