A good morning

Tsvetomira had a wonderful night - she started rough, with what we are guessing were nightmares of some sort. Krassimir often did, too, especially at the beginning. After a big nasty diaper around midnight, she slept very peacefully through the night, and has had some wonderful calm-alert times this morning.

Bogomila has a favorite psychologist who is based in Sofia, and she was able to come and spend an hour and a half with Bogomila this morning. She says she doesn't speak very good English, but certainly enough that we were able to communicate a number of valuable things back and forth in addition to her just getting to visit with Bogomila. She has offered herself as a resource and given us her email address.

I've finally gotten photos off my camera, so will give you a mini recap of our Monday pick up day.

First stop of the day: walking over the treacherous ice to Bogomila's group home.

There's my girl! She's got her hat on and is already ready to go. She already had her bags packed - one soft-sided suitcase, a plastic bag with various personal items (a mug, a frame, a candle holder - all treasures she's picked up over the years with her monthly government allotment.)

Signing papers - she's ours forever now!! For the first time in her life since her birth, her mommy is fully responsible for her!!

Bogomila has been surrounded by many people who care for her. There were a number of other older children who showed up for pictures and to say goodbye, but we were also touched by the number of adults who gathered, and a few more who were waiting outside, to say goodbye to our daughter. Those people are all there for her.

And next, driving up to this place. Even with the changes for the better, the fact remains that this building will never look like more than a large, cold warehouse.

And there's my little Pearl! (And who's that old lady wearing my clothes? ;) Funny how gray the top can look in the right light!) Just like when we picked up Krassimir, Tsvetomira leaves with nothing - not even the clothes on her back. When we come in, I hand the little bag of clothes we brought for her to the nurse who leaves with them in the elevator. [Note - she's still wearing those same clothes, because I CAN NOT get the sweater dress off!! I can't even imagine how they got it into her. We're debating cutting it off, but are waiting to see if Adam wants to give it a shot. That way *I* don't have to be the "bad guy" if it's uncomfortable taking it off.]

Here we are listening and watching as a nurse shows us the basic routine for feeding. We are given syringes, a can of formula, and enough of her seizure meds to last us through a few weeks at home. And then we leave. No goodbyes for Tsvetomira.

Back through the mountains, bringing our girls on the first leg of their trip HOME.