Pa (Bye) to the nurses and Robin

Don't ask me why but today was the last day for all of the nurses. There will be 2 nurses (who have never worked with children) from the adult part of the hospital for the next 2 weeks. It was also the last day for several of the aides, the older Lily, Vale and I think Mirella but am not sure about that. I think Mirella has a job to go to. It is unclear exactly what is happening and when to the staff.

At least the sun was out today and the toddlers and mobiles got to go out. Maybe it will warm up enough for the non-mobiles to go out soon. Alina loved going down the slide and I would catch her at the bottom. Even Andreea and Roxana decided outside was ok although Andreea was a bit reluctant at first to get in a swing. At lunchtime when I went back to the clinic big Andreea was looking for "Mama Jane." Too cute. Petre is fascinated by the dogs but wary of getting too close - probably a good thing. A male patient came outside and of course Alina went right up to him to be picked up but he quickly handed her off to me.

Nico is still in isolation. Paula seems to have fewer and shorter melt downs. Daria's mother came to visit again today. Ion hit a dog but fortunately the dog didn't hit back.

More crying and sad faces from the aides today. Can certainly understand why but it is definitely a different mood and much harder than usual at the clinic. The routine is a bit off as well. Bottles came early at lunchtime. We did buy baby food at the store last night and hopefully that makes life easier for the aides.

Dinner at Alona tonight. I almost didn't go as I feel like I have a bit of a cold coming on or maybe it is my chronic sinus problems or allergies although I take an allergy pill every day. I'll take some good old Romanian cold medicine tonight. I have been taking lots of Vitamin C and we've been getting oranges at breakfast so hopefully that will stave off any major illness.

Path from the road to the clinic

Children at the gate after lunch

Our hotel - note new signs - they will need the business after Global leaves the hotel

 

Celine and Malika

Andreea - today was tutu day

Ion

Andreea on the path leading to the clinic

Andreea dressed to go outside (in something like high 50s or low 60s weather)

Daria and her mama

Ramona (on the left) visited; her last day today

Outside the clinic

Roxana and Gaby

Alina aka the sugar plum fairy

Alina Ballerina

Cristy in the panda hat

Jane at work pushing swings

Alina having fun going down the slide

Marius

Petre

Caroline surrounded

Alex and Nicoletta

Roxana and Lily

Celine

Gaby and Vale (one of her few smiles today)

Gaby's latest favorite toy

Cleo - we hear she will likely go to the Children's Hospital in Barlad - where the babies get bug bites and lice

Blue skies

Wish I could say the blue skies reference was to more than the weather but no new news on the children. Still, it was great to have some sunshine today and we even got the older children out briefly this morning. Of course they were all bundled up against the "cold." The crocus are starting to bloom along the pathway at the clinic. Still a fair amount of mud though when Cathy and I took a short walk after lunch.

The twins were making faces in the mirror today. Too funny. And Marius had a pretty good day until the older kids came in and he was pulling my hair - really pulling hard! I think he does better when there are fewer children in the room. Hope I didn't do too much damage to my wrists lifting children and flipping Gaby over in somersaults. She loved it though. She has taken to "dancing" sitting on her knees and is making more noises. Progress can be slow but at least I see some progress.

The aides are having a hard time of it. Some are better able to focus on the children than others. Lucky we have experienced volunteers on the team. And Cathy is so great with the kids - born to do this. Unfortunately, Robin needs to leave on Friday as her sister is quite ill and in the hospital. I know it is hard for her to leave but she is doing the right thing. We will miss her.

Nico is still in isolation with a terrible something in her chest - sounds awful..

Jane and Andreea - check out the beautiful yellow sweater Jane brought her.

 Marius (not sure where he got the scratch over his eye)

Petrica

Paula starting to climb out of her crib....

Andreea

Roxana

Gabita

Celine

Andreea, Alina, and Ion

Ion aka Ionny

Cleo

Daria

Gaby

 Auntie Evan and Gaby

Alexandra

Maria Alexandra

Celine and Corinna

 Marius

 Alina and Jelina

Dismal

Not a very uplifting title but the brightest spots in the day have been the children's smiles. Otherwise weather and moods are dismal. I did have a good start to the day when Alexandra wanted to be held for awhile. We danced around the room and looked out the window. I did get my cardio in with games of sus and jos (throwing babies up and down), dancing, chasing and bouncing. Also did a few choruses of Old McDonald and Wheels on the Bus when the CD player wasn't cooperating. This is the only audience I've ever found that doesn't cringe at the sound of me singing.

Daria's mother came to visit today. Daria's second cleft palate surgery is scheduled I believe for later in April or May. They may try to move it up. I expect Daria will go home. Daria was nestling her head on shoulders and more cuddly than usual today. She has a nasty cough so maybe she isn't feeling well.  Daris is saying Mama pretty clearly and doing great with walking.

I hear Celine's mother came to see her as well and to check on their trip to Bucharest next week for further evaluation for Celine. Apparently her mother is young and quite pretty and lives in a village with her grandparents. We know where Celine got her good looks from!

Tried to get Gaby to go through the tunnel. She has latched on to playing with 1/2 of a plastic Easter egg so Jane tried putting it part way through the tunnel hoping she would see it and go after it. She went only as far as she had to and stretched to reach it and then scooted right back out. Probably she can't see well enough to be willing to venture through.

Alina and I have picked back up on our games of patty cake although now the twins are anxious to play as well.  I'm trying to reinforce Caroline teaching her to say I'm a US citizen. The first part comes out pretty well but citizen is a struggle.

We broke early for lunch as the aides all got called into a meeting. I was surprised when bottles came 30 min. early. We are not sure exactly what happened at the meeting but think Dr. Delia was telling them about jobs in the area.

You'll be glad to know that I found the "stop motion" setting on my camera so can get some better pictures. I've been with a small group of children though so am having a hard time getting everyone's pix. Check out Caroline's blog: tutovababies.blogspot.com. She has some great ones.

We had dinner at Trattoria Da Vinci and I confess I indulged in pasta and chocolate cake. Stress eating. Went to the market afterward and I did get a small supply of wipes, baby shampoo and baby food even though we don't know how long the children will be at the clinic to use them. They can always send items with the children wherever they go. 

We are learning that what is happening to the pediatric recovery clinic in Tutova is happening to hospitals all over Romania. There are a number of hospitals being closed, although I don't think any with a similar population.  At this point we don't know what is happening and when. Information seems to be evolving. So we are taking one day at a time. I am hoping that Global Volunteers will be able to establish new working relationships with other organizations in the area, perhaps the ones where some of the children will be sent. I think the CEO of Global Volunteers will be here in 2 weeks or so to work on that.

Meanwhile, here are some pictures. Will try to get around to see some other children tomorrow but of course caring for the babies comes before taking pictures!

Maria Cleopatra

Marius loves being tickled

Alina

Classic Gaby with her 2 fingers in her mouth

Andreea

Roxana eating a cookie

Andreea paying a quick visit..

Daria

 

Alina and the tunnel