A couple of quick observations. I mentioned before that she has a great attention span and is full of joy in most situations. She also talks and sings A LOT and picks up English words fast. We've also noticed that with that attention span comes an inability to separate from an activity that she is enjoying and she lets you know about it too! While she does talk more than we expected we have seen quite a few indications of significant delay. While eating yogurt today I tried to give her the spoon. She didn't know how to hold it but did have the basic idea of sticking it in, scraping, and trying to get it to her mouth but it seemed like she had never self fed. I emailed Nina's mom to ask if this is true. Also, the day we met Oksana she had a small doll so yesterday we went and got something similar. It came in a box with some hair clips, a brush, haridryer, purse, etc. As I was taking everything out of the box yesterday it occurred to me that I should keep it all in the box because she would probably like the box better than the doll. Sure enough there was VERY little interest in the doll or all of her "parts" but it all got taken in and out, and in and out of the box. That is where she is developmentally but hopefully not for long!
I know I type too much but there is so much to tell! Believe me, I'm leaving out a lot. We will see Oksana again Monday. Here are pictures and video from today:
This whole adoption thing really is stressful (more on that in another blog). We've had a hard couple of days but we got the best laugh when I almost walked out the door in slippers! I'm sure that would have made a great impression on the orphanage staff! By the way, those slippers were provided by our apartment....at first I thought it was because they were so kind but then I realized it's because the floors are RARELY cleaned!
Today's outfit....
Yogurt face!
EVERY time we went by these plants she had to reach out and touch them!
This statue is behind her baby house with a garden in front of it. Do any of you Vorzel families know who this guy is?
There are a number of statues throughout the grounds. This is one of the more ummmm...interesting ones. A fox and a headless bird!
The back of Oksana's baby house
They don't use dryers here and I love this picture of stockings and undies hanging to dry. What color do you think Oksana will be in next time?!
This is what most of the playground equipment looks like....
So we were surprised and thrilled to see this!....
9 comments:
Oh I never saw that nice playground! And it looks so different during the summer than winter!
Nina loves swings, but is also very nervous in any other equipment. Slides...no way! Climbing stairs...no way! She turns into a little wooden board and looses all bodily control because she is so scared.
Watch for her hands going to her face. Nina hurts herself and scratches herself.
When we got Nina I would say she was about a one year old developmentally. She is now maybe at a 2 1/2 which is huge if you consider she has been here only 5 months! But the speech...amazing!
Oh, the video finally played for us, Ellie says, "Wow! Oksana looks just like Nina!"
While Nina wants to watch Oksana over and over and over again. :)
How wonderful! I can imagine that this must be quite a journey for you guys! Hang in there...you are a great mommy and I suspect that those developmental delays will improve greatly. My son has dev. delays (born to us) and he just has to be taught to do everything...most kids seem to do these things instinctively. However, with lots of practice and patience, he always learns how to do things. Oksana is a doll! I'm sure you can hardly wait to dress her yourself! God Bless!
Hi,
I have been following your blog (and enjoying it!). As I watched your videos the last couple of days, a number of Oksana's mannerisms and movements (as well as the enjoyment of repetitively putting things in and out) immediately reminded me of our youngest son, who is on the high end of the autism spectrum (specifically PDD-NOS). Perhaps this is simply due to her situation, and will be quickly outgrown, but even if not, there is so much potential! Our little guy is doing great. I so look forward to watching Oksana flourish as she learns what it means to be part of a family. Thank you for sharing your journey!
That statue looks like Lenin to me. Of course, in Ukraine if it's a statue of a man, you can guess that & be correct about 75% of the time!
Love seeing the pics of Oksana, she is beautiful. Hope all is going well for you guys. Any word on a court date yet?
Jenn
So happy for you all! We are praying for you and think of you often! :)
You are not typing too much! I am loving all of the updates! <3 Khara
Most of the statues are from back when Vorzel was a sanitorium. Many many many years ago, before it became an orphange, it was supposedly a beautiful vacation "spa". Jennifer, above, is probably right though, a large number of male statues are of Lenin, so I would not be surprised at all!
The playground equipment was brought in by missionaries. Their is a group that goes every spring and another in the summer and they rebuild floors, repaint, clean, build and replace playground equipment and spend time with the kids.
I was told by Pastor Sasha that it was Stalin and he would not pose the mission workers in front of it!I'll have to read more on Ukrainian history!And do not worry as I saw no signs of PDD/autism; rather institutional behvaiors due to lack of stimulation. Repetitive behaviors are comforting and many of the children I saw rocked, hit, and pounder their fists to their head.
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