We decide to stop for cappuccinos on our daily walk along the Yalta Harbor & Port. We can’t eat an early hearty lunch, because Liliana is supposed to be eating her full meals at the orphanage until the judge’s “judgment day” (which is next Tuesday!), and we don’t want to spoil her appetite (or cause […]
She Calls Us Mama and Papa For the First Time
I catch the above photo in a kneejerk reaction as she’s running toward me. This is what she looks like when she’s running from Dan. He scoops her up and soars her in the air, and she shrieks with delight. Wow. Woooow. We say this to her over and over again, about things we see […]
Delightful Day
A warm, sunshiny day. Dan is feeling much better, which is a relief. We pick Liliana up at the orphanage and walk to Yalta’s port area. She is a different girl from yesterday. She walks the edges of the water fountains, chases after a girl carrying helium balloons (boy, is she a pistol!), and dances […]
Screaming Girl vs. Happy Girl
Dan is still feeling too weak to walk anywhere, so I bring Liliana back to the apartment for both the morning and afternoon visits. The morning goes horribly. She screams. She arches her back and pushes against Dan’s chest. She wants to be let down…or go to Mama. Dan puts his earplugs in, holds her, […]
Another Day Without Papa
I trek to the internet place this morning, and I’m struck by the crispness of the morning air and the sun’s low angle, striking just above the tree tops. I love the fall season, and although we’re missing it at home (all those yellow-leafed aspen trees!), I’m getting a little dose of it here. I’m […]