Orphanage Tour

We got to see our sweetheart again today. Her caregiver brought her into the room and she came to me immediately when I opened my arms to her. After a two day absence she laid her head on my shoulder and gave me a sweet hug. It was wonderful!!

We got to see her eat lunch today and it was quite something. That kiddo has a good sized stomach! She may be petite, but it's not for lack of food. She ate an entire bowl of creamy vegetable soup, some rye bread, and a good portion of a fish casserole of some kind and some mashed potatoes. What a big girl, she's so little and sometimes it's hard to believe what she can do. She sat in this little child sized chair and was such a good girl being fed that food. Based on how we've seen her eat that meal, how we've seen her eat the snacks they've brought in and the couple gerber snacks we brought (fruit puffs and yogurt melts)... we think she may be a very good eater. Our boys were picky eaters, still are to a certain extent - so this will be a welcome change if it continues!

We got to see Maella's bedroom. We asked the caregiver if she'd set Maella in the crib so we could take a picture of her in it. I was expecting her to cry. As soon as she sat in there the caregiver began speaking to her and I just imagined it to be "don't cry, it's just for a minute, mama wants to take a picture, good girl". That little sweetheart just sat there looking at all of us, listening intently, and then smiled when the caregiver picked her back up again. There is a cd they play for the babies as they fall asleep, just like we did at home when our boys were babies.

We got to see other areas as well and the impression we got today and have had the entire time is that this orphanage does such a good job with the children. All the women who have brought Maella in or out of the visiting room have a smile on their face and are so kind. The food they eat seems very nutritious. I wish the babies would get formula longer but as for food, they get a really good diet. We are so thankful we got to see the place where she lives, plays, sleeps, eats, bathes. In some countries and in some orphanages that is either not allowed or it's just not possible. We are thankful for this glimpse into her life to this point.