Well, I have to share with you all the most amazing 2 visits with Abby. Yesterday afternoon was a good one - more like normal - but I could still tell Abby wasn't 100%. At the end of our visit, she was starting to get a little fussy so I just picked her up and began walking around the music room with her, whispering in her ear. She stopped crying almost immediately and just snuggled on my shoulder. Assia was not in the room right at that moment but she came back right at 5:00 (time to go) and told me Abby had fallen asleep (I couldn't see her face while holding her). It was the most precious thing ever but then it was so hard to give her back because it was time to go. Assia did not want to wake her up, so she let me take Abby back to her room. She woke up just as the caregiver took her. I did get to see the room and the other babies for just a second though. The babies are so adorable.

After we left the Baby House, we stopped by the photo/furniture store so I could get my pictures. They turned out great!! I got some very cute close ups of Abby. She is not smiling in a single one. :-) It is like the second the camera came out she had to focus on what was that thing. Assia had also taken several of Abby and me together and they are also good. I already added these to my photo album to give the judge.

Last night was another big wash night. They had given me some of Abby's clothes back to wash and I needed to wash some myself. I discovered that my washer is called The Aquamatic 6T. I love this name and will refer to the washer by its proper name from here on out. It is very cosmopolitan, no? Well, I guess only if your definition of "cosmopolitan" is something from The Jetsons. :-) Aquamatic 6T does have a spin cycle guaranteed to wake the dead. I am proof of this as the first night I washed clothes I fell asleep and woke thinking Uralsk was being invaded only to realize it was Aquamatic 6T's spin cycle.

This morning's visit with Abby was another wonderful one. We played and "read" and ate cheerios. Towards the end of the visit, she began to get fussy again so I walked around with her and sure enough, she fell asleep in my arms. I wish I could adequately describe how amazing this is.

Yesterday I gave Assia a list of questions about Abby's schedule, personality, milestones etc. Assia translated them, gave them to her doctor, and translated the answers back to English for me. She gave them to me after this morning's visit. I won't put everything here but do have to share a few things with you. Here are some of the highlights (exactly as Assia worded them):

1. She is cranky before sleep.
2. She started crawling at 7.5 months, sitting at 8 months, and got her first tooth at 8 months.
3. She enjoys open-air walks.
4. Her favorite toys are a doll, a stuffed dog, and a cat.
5. She has a serious personality.
6. Her favorite food is a ground meat [something - I can't read Assia's handwriting here] and mashed potatoes.
7. To comfort her, take her into arms, give drink.
8. She prefers people to being alone.

So, some of this I had figured out on my own (cranky before sleep and holding her). :-) I have also read that many of the children have "serious personalities" until they are home. I have already seen evidence that Abby is happy and loves to laugh but she does have a little serious side. I think she is an old soul too. And she is the most amazing baby and absolutely perfect for me in every way. Every day I can't imagine it is possible to love her more than I already do, and yet every day I love her more than before.

Today when we first arrived at the Baby House, there was a little music class going on in the music room where Abby and I play. Oh my gosh but it was the most precious thing. These kids were all under age 2 and hearing them sing was the sweetest sound. When we were leaving this morning, there was a group of about 3 year olds outside playing right where we walk. They all came running to me as we walked by. Oh my heart!!! I wanted to bring them all home. Even in those brief moments, I can tell these kids are so loving and it breaks my heart knowing they are in an orphanage. I am already planning my next trip here in my head. As we drove away, they were all standing there, bundled up, waving good-bye to us.

Tomorrow I have pre-court. Assia told me that Olga will prepare me this afternoon. Court is the one thing I am nervous about. It is like the final exam of the semester. I know once we get past it, all will be fine. Court is still hopefully going to happen on January 21 and Olga is buying tickets for us to fly to Almaty that night. Please say some extra prayers for us that day!

I can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier, but Abby turned 10 months old on January 11. We had a big celebration of eating cheerios and playing with blocks. :-)

I want to thank you all so much for writing and apologize again I don't have time to respond. Between my schedule and the internet cafe's schedule, I only get about 1 hour a day here. But please know that your words and stories from home help keep me going!!! Take care everyone - and I am mighty jealous of that 60 degree weather in Atlanta!! :-)