After one of our recent visits Rada told us that the children’s hospital had run out of food besides yogurt, so we went immediately to the store and purchased formula and cereal for them. The other families weren’t told this, so we aren’t sure how desperate the situation really was, but we are glad to be able to help out with the babies care. While we were at the store, Rada also told us that we could bring Owen some baby food to see how he liked it. Among the many jars of fruit with added sugar, I finally found a vegetable choice – broccoli. So the next day, we “bibbed” him up and gave him a spoonful. One brief grimace, and then the boy loved it! We did not want to give him too much for the first time out, but he sure let us know when we stopped that he was not happy with that decision! He also chomped half a teething biscuit and happily finished his bottle when it was brought.
Despite his apparent love of food, he actually weighs a bit less then last week – about 16.3 lbs. I’m sure that will change once he is consistently getting good food and vitamins. We take some time each visitation to work with Owen on strengthening muscles that to this point he hasn’t had much reason to use; for example we practice sitting up and balancing, and getting his knees in position to crawl. But as you can see in the picture, he much prefers to stand (with assistance of course). I have a feeling we are going to be chasing him all over the place before too long!
Rada and Vladimir took us on a city tour today, pointing out different buildings around town, giving us a brief history of Kokshetau and letting us take a lot of pictures. We drove around Lake Kapa and saw men ice fishing and one brave soul parasailing across the frozen expanse. Rada pointed out the many factories that were abandoned after the fall of the Soviet Union and one of the four apartment buildings that were built to spell “CCCP” if viewed from the air. We went through neighborhoods of small wood houses where the residents still have to get water from a central pump, dragging their filled bottles back to the homes on sleds; and the newer, bigger brick houses that Kokshetau’s wealthier citizens call home. In the gentle hills surrounding the city we saw row after row of “dachas” or summer houses where families grow potatoes and carrots and beets; and passed scattered groves of birch trees that must be beautiful in spring and summer but also have a certain spare beauty now.
One of the things we had noticed earlier on our walks is how many dentists there are in town and we asked Rada about this. She explained there are so many because it’s slippery and people fall a lot and damage their teeth. Well, shortly after Rada took this picture of us at the “horny husband” hill (we are up from the ground quite a bit and no, we still aren’t entirely clear as to why it’s named that), I fell on the ice while climbing down. And at that moment, laying face planted in the snow and hip hurting, I really wanted to be home. I think it’s that same deep seated emotion that makes you always want your mom when you are sick. Bob helped me get back to my feet and brush myself off and I’m happy to say there was no permanent damage – just a slightly swollen lip and a little soreness; perhaps a bit of a bruise tomorrow. But no trip to the Kazakh dentist required!
We met with Dr. Natalia (pictured) today and learned more about Owen's birthmother, including seeing a picture of her. We are very pleased that we will have this information to share with Owen as he grows up. Dr. Natalia also prepped us for pre-court which is Thursday morning (which is Wednesday afternoon/evening for you) so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we move one step closer to bringing home Owen!
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