Evan and the Babies: The Human Jumperoo

No need for an exercise routine. I am perfecting the art of being a human jumperoo for Paula without too much damage to my back. Fortunately she has had other diversions, until this afternoon when her boyfriends, the older boys who have been regular visitors to our room, left the hospital.

Cleo left for Iasi today and Ana Maria and Nico have not returned so we only had Raul, Cristi and Paula, and of course our new friends. Unfortunately I can't post the picture of Caroline reading to the boy who must be about 12 and is almost as tall as she is as he was sitting on her lap. She read through every book we had. It didn't seem to matter to him that they were all in English.

When Mihaela started talking to the younger of the two boys we discovered that he had been at Tutova and left there about 5 years ago. Sounds like he has been in several foster families. It was so cute watching him smile as he talked to Mihaela. This also explains why he has been so gentle and sweet with the little ones in our room, especially Cleo and why when Caroline showed him pictures on her camera he said "Tutova."

Cristi was a bit fussier today than the past two days - almost as if he couldn't quite figure out what would make him happy. I think he is off his usual routine. He can't get down on the floor and crawl into corners or under things as he did at the clinic. He did eat 2 and 1/2 yogurts. He was so tired this afternoon and finally was able to sleep.

The piano that Jane brought has been such a great toy - both for our kids and for making friends with new kids. Everyone loves it. Thanks Jane. BTW, we have been keeping all the toys for our kids in the nurse's room next door to our room. We gather them up at lunch time and the end of our shift. Hate to do that but apparently there are worries that people will take them. Same for the radio/CD player that Jane bought that we have been using.

Paula continues to do well. I am learning "to speak Paula" and since there are so few children we are pretty much at her beck and call. No wonder she is doing well!

We heard from the nurse at the hospital that Nicoletta's father called and asked when he could take her home. So we are not sure what will be happening when she returns from Iasi. We aren't clear on the home situation. Hopefully if she does go home they will be able to get care for her when her frequent respiratory infections occur - or maybe she will be exposed to fewer germs at home. Who knows.

We also heard that Cleo may have a shunt put in. Previously, Cleo saw specialists in Bucharest who said surgery wasn't possible. We are now hearing there is a new kind of shunt made in Germany that might work for her condition. It isn't clear how this would benefit her as I believe it wouldn't change her overall prognosis. Her mother would need to sign for the procedure so we don't know what will happen with her. The most important thing is that this little angel be comfortable and loved in whatever remains of her short life.

My big Andreea goes home tomorrow. I pop in and out of her room during the day to give her kisses and pat her face. She is lucky to have such a caring grandmother.

Caroline and I made an executive decision that we will cut and paste from our blogs this week into the team journal that we do. Cathy is appreciative of the reprieve from having to write this week!

Bud, the GV CEO, arrived in Barlad on the train from Bucharest at about 5 pm. He is staying at the Occident where we believe the next team will be staying. Mihaela and Bud will be meeting with possible host organization partners tomorrow and Friday. I'm not sure what the next team that starts on Saturday will be doing when they start work on Monday. Flexibility is always important but our team and the next team need it more than most teams.

The last two days we ate a take out lunch from the Raluca at the hospital. Today Mihaela took us to the Da Vinci for lunch - quite a treat. It is gray and raining so we especially needed some cheering up.Tomorrow we are invited to eat hospital food. We hear it is good. Be prepared for the report tomorrow night. Not sure what vegetarian options there are so I'll be prepared with a protein bar.

Last night I started worrying about whether Gaby's family had bottles to give her as I wasn't able to get her to eat from a spoon or eat finger food. So then I started thinking what if she isn't getting enough to eat. I'm hoping the family situation is better than we think or there are relatives or neighbors or a village priest or someone to make sure she is ok. I feel like I'm back doing social work feeling helpless about children in bad situations.

Not too many pictures today. Hopefully a few of our girls will be back tomorrow.