Day Fifty-Nine

Julia and her two front teeth have left the Infirmary and are safely returned to Baby Room No. One. Clap! Clap! Clap!

Mother and daughter spent a delicious morning walking the grounds of the Delfin Baby Home. In the garden, on a clear, warm spring day, we talked about planting and the difference between annuals and perennials. Actually, "mother" did all of the talking while "daughter," feigning a slight interest, persisted in attempting to rip the buds off tree branches. Fortunately for the tree, Julia's own short limbs were engulfed in snow suit sleeves so damage was averted. She was notably more comfortable today and the tiny white ridges of her two lower "milk teeth" are more pronounced with each visit.

Tomorrow, May 1st, is a holiday in Kazakhstan, commerating ethnic and cultural diverstiy. As with International Women's Day (March 8th), and the traditional Kazak New Year and spring festival, Nauriz (March 22nd), the main street in Kostanai will be closed and there will be colorful displays of ethnic costumes, music, dancing and food. More yurts are also expected! Remember the yurt? These were the circular tents made of felt or animal skins affixed to collapsible frames and used by nomads in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. But you knew that.

Meanwhile, Bruce is waiting patiently for our return while working like a dog, spring cleaning the yard, preparing the baby's room, staining our back porch, answering inquiries about our Kazakhstan adventure, 'Google-ing' baby equiptment, touching base with friends and family and persistently vying for Austin's attention! Relatively speaking, life for me in Kostanai has been a vacation. I have loved the food, the beer, the people, the accommodations and the the exotic nature of this sacred place. Our babies birth land. But I'm now ready to come home already. I miss Bruce and our big kid, Austin. I miss my Mom, Reggie and all of you, our dear family and friends! Still hoping to be home by Mother's Day, I am sending my love on ahead, with gratitude and warm wishes ~ Carrie