Kemerovo- day 20

Today was THE DAY. At 4:15pm the boys were brought to us. Prior to seeing them, we got to speak to both the neurologist and Dr. Ludmilla. Nothing really new to report about their health. The neurologist told us that last week when we had seen the boys Ruslan was not sick but anxious as he understood he would be leaving the orphanage soon. He had told the caregivers today that he was scared about leaving the orphanage forever. The boys brought with them the stuffed animals and pictures we had left from our first trip. They also had Chupa Chups suckers which I guess are quite the treat there. I guess we will be purchasing a few before we leave. I think I have seen them at the dollar stores back home. Pasha dressed himself fairly quickly when we pulled out their new clothing but Ruslan was a little reluctant so I helped him along. We found out that the orphanage was going to allow us to take Ruslan’s shoes with him and even gave us a pair that was more durable for outdoors. Dr. Ludmilla also said that the orphanage had already ordered him another pair (the “indoor” pair seems a tad small) but that they had not arrived yet and since they are made to fit him personally they will send the pair along with the next family that travels there. So we will end up with three pairs of made to order shoes for him. We will see what the specialists in the states say about if they are the right kind of shoes for him. We took some pictures of the boys with Dr. Ludmilla and were told we would have xrays, immunization records and all other medical records given to us before we leave for Moscow.
I was worried about Ruslan being upset when we left but he dragged Chad out the door. The boys were really excited to get into the van and go for a ride. They changed their mind about two hours into the ride. At one point Pasha said in Russian that he wondered how much longer the car ride was going to be because it was turning into a nightmare. Several times the driver and translator laughed at what he said. The translator told me she doesn’t understand why he has the diagnosis of a speech delay as he speaks in four syllable words and uses long sentences. Later in the ride when I was asking her what a specific phrase meant Pasha asked the translator if she was helping me understand what he was saying. So, it seems that Pasha is going to have lots to tell us in English as he learns the language.
The boys looked really cute in their little hats we bought here at the Benetton store. All little boys have hats on when they are outside and most young girls have hats as well. The boys love looking at all of the vehicles on the roads, especially large trucks and heavy machinery. That kept them entertained for a large portion of the three hour ride from the orphanage.
We got back to the hotel at about 7:15, which is fifteen minutes past their typical dinner. I hurriedly made macaroni and cheese (with actual shredded cheese) and sausages (that’s what they called them but they seemed more like hot dogs to me). They both love sausages. Ruslan said his favorite foods are sausages and oranges while Pasha’s favorite foods are sausages and cheese. They both told me they did not like their macaroni and cheese (I really didn’t either but sure hope they like the blue box mac and cheese) and ate their sausages. We gave them some of the yogurt that the hotel gives us at breakfast but Pasha only had a few bites and Ruslan had maybe two. Pasha asked for some “hleb” which is bread so I buttered a slice for both of them. I am so glad that I have tried to learn some Russian because it has already helped quite a bit; I wish I knew more because they are definitely telling me a lot more than I am understanding.
After dinner things got a little intense. Chad went to do the dishes and left me to give the boys a shower. They both kind of stunk really. I took both of them into the bathroom which just has a standup small cubicle shower and got Ruslan undressed. Pasha refused to get undressed on his own and then Ruslan got this pitiful look on his face which turned into terror. I told them in Russian it was time for a bath and also showed them the picture schedule of eat, bath, bed. Apparently a shower is nothing like a bath to them (which I can now understand). Ruslan and Pasha ran out of the bathroom screaming as Chad came back into the room. Chad picked up Ruslan and headed toward the bathroom with Ruslan screaming at the top of his lungs. I asked him not to force the situation which caused the two of us to have one of our first parenting discussions. He told me to figure out another way then so I tried but ended up with a screaming kid anyway. I did get Ruslan to “wash” his cars for a few minutes while I soaped him up and began to rinse him off. He even stepped into the shower while I got drenched. The problem came when I moved away from the shower to grab the towel and the door began to close. He panicked and fell in the shower and the showerhead sprayed him in the face. Things deteriorated from there and I ended up not getting his head washed. I think I was more wet than he was. I toweled him off while he shook and cried. Once I began to get him dressed he calmed down. We went into the bedroom where Chad was sitting and Pasha was hiding in the corner whining and talking; I am sure it was something to the effect that what had just happened to his brother was most certainly not any kind of bath he had ever seen. Chad then picked Pasha up and off they went to the shower. Pasha didn’t seem to scream as much as Ruslan; I think he was just resigned to the fact that it was going to happen.
After baths the boys insisted on putting their shoes back on as they didn’t want to be barefoot. I told them that it was almost time for bed. Chad went in and showered and I made a point of telling them in Russian that Papa was taking a bath/shower. I guess the shower had not traumatized them too much because Pasha came in and saw me wiping up the floor of water and grabbed a towel and did the same. I praised him for helping and he proudly told Ruslan what he had done; Ruslan then came in and wiped up the floor as well.
We put them to bed at about 9:15. It is 10:46 and they are still awake and talking. Chad is now sitting in a chair next to them trying to get them to settle down to sleep. We took away their cars they have held in their hands since we left the orphanage as they were playing with them. I know they must be tired with such a difficult day but they just can’t give it up. They keep wanting to look out the window at the cars that drive by. We also put a chair in front of the refrigerator as it is right next to their bed and they can open it.
Tomorrow Chad has to go with the coordinator to sign more documents to get the passports for the boys. I imagine we will try and go for a walk with the boys to get out and we will definitely need to go to the market again for more sausages since that is what they love (they keep telling me that). One more day here and then we are off to Moscow. Hurrah! (this is how they cheer with the /r/ being trilled instead of saying something like yea!). Here’s to hoping for a decent nights sleep…..