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

First Monday at the clinic

Woke to a dreary, foggy and slightly rainy day. The pleasant weather we had in Bucharest on Sat. is past and it was quite cold today. At least the path to the clinic isn't too muddy.

Lots of hugs and kisses with the aides. It has got to be so hard for them knowing many will be out of work soon. Vale noticed I had lost weight and asked if I was sick. I reassured her that  I wasn't. I asked about her children and she appreciated the inquiry. All of this in my few words of Romanian and nonverbal communication!

On previous trips I have been with the non-mobiles.This time I said I would be with the mobiles. They mobiles though seem to be divided into two groups. The "toddlers" who are more mobile and/or older were in the pre-schoool room with Jane and I was in the big playroom with the twins, Gaby and Marius with Alina in and out. In the afternoon Jane was also with us while the toddlers were with Malika in pre-school. Then after pre-school ended we had the whole gang in the playroom. Jane brought this great silk like fabric tunnel that the children loved. The ones that were reluctant to venture through it liked the texture of the fabric and playing with the outside. Something for everyone.

Felt like I didn't need to do my in-room workout before going to the clinic what with chasing babies, lifting babies, tickling babies, and being bombarded by babies. If only I had more arms and laps  It is fun to see the twins, Marius and Daria walking. Gaby is a little further along in that she is generally more willing to walk but still needs to have both hands held. Alexandra doesn't seem to happy these days. Not sure what is going on with her. Celine taught me the Romanian word for horse when we were in looking at the new musical mobile I brought that has gone in Nicoletta's crib. (Nico is in isolation...again.)

Not sure if it is operator error or my camera or the older children being in constant motion but I didn't get too many great pictures today. Here are the best ones.

 

Me with Gabita

The twins check out the tunnel

 Maria Cleopatra

Roxana and Lily looking out the window

Andreea

Cristi (as noted on his special outfit brought by Jane!)

Marius

Cristi and Jane

Nicoletta

Daria makes it through the tunnel

Alina

Gaby took 1/2 of a plastic easter egg and moved it along the mirror with her mouth

 Andrada

Cathy with Gaby and Andrada

 Ana Maria doing her WC Fields imitation

Maria Alexandra aka pappanoush

Ionut

Getting ready

Spent today in orientation including a quick visit to the clinic. The usual routine of establishing goals and talking about team characteristics had a different flavor. In addition to the more typical goals of caring for the children and learning about the culture, I had a personal goal to stay positive and strong. I especially liked Jane’s goal to “be present.” 

And the usual team characteristic of being flexible also takes on a special meaning in these circumstances. We talked about things like having empathy and patience and the particular need this team to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. I’m confident that together we will persevere despite the difficult situation.

I was even more excited than usual to arrive at the clinic and see the children. I heard a baby crying and walked in to pick up Ana Maria and found the the room of children all awake. And there across from Ana Maria was my Gabita looking smaller than I remembered but more animated and excited to be picked up. It has been 6 months since I was last here and I can see changes, be they big or small, in some of the children. The twins, Andreea and Roxana are walking and Lea Celine is talking up a storm. Paula is definitely doing better. There are 2 new additions, Andrada and Maria Alexandra aka pappanoush (which is a Romanian donut dessert) and Robin’s BFF. I understand Caroline has been teaching Alina to say “I am an American citizen” to prepare for her entry into the U.S. Although Mihaela did remind us that kidnapping children violates Global’s rules.

At 7 pm we were joined by the waiter Ovi and I’m sure former volunteers and supporters around the world in a few minutes of silence and prayer for the children and staff. We just have to hope and trust that in this dark cloud there will be a silver lining. As I write this I’m remembering that the Chinese character for crisis includes opportunity. Or something like that. We’ll hope for the best.

I usually don't take pictures on the first day at the clinic but plan to take some tomorrow. We don't know if some of the children will be leaving sooner rather than later. Dr. Delia is in Jerusalem, I suspect praying for the children and staff, and will return late Monday. Mihaela hopes to have more information at that time about what is happening and when. Meanwhile, we have a job to do. I'm going to be with the mobiles which will be a change for me as usually I'm with the non-mobiles. Hopefully we can spend time with everyone. So hopefully I will have pictures to post tomorrow.

Prayer Request

Our local host has asked that everyone who is willing and able, pray for the children and the staff on Sunday at 7 p.m. Romanian time (12 p.m. EST).Although with the time change maybe it is a different time. Regardless, say a prayer even if you don't pray...

Uncertainty

I've arrived safely in Tutova, but confess to being more than a little worried about what the next few weeks will bring. Dan picked us up at the airport and said we may hear more definite news on Mon. or Tues. about the timing for the clinic closing and where the children are going. It's strange to think that I left social work many years ago when I decided it was just too hard to feel helpless working with at-risk children. And here I am again. I've gotten more back than I've given these little ones. Wish I could have more hope for their futures.

On a lighter note, there are 5 of us on the team for the next 2 weeks and then 3 for the 3rd week. Although it is sounding like some other former volunteers may try to get here soon to say good bye. Oh wait, I said on a lighter note.  Anyway, the "light" part is that I'm sure we will have a great team. Caroline, Jane and Robin (who has been here and I didn't realize was staying on) are all veterans like me. I had the pleasure of spending today with Cathy, our new volunteer, and as with others I feel like I'm making another friend. We went into Bucharest and went to the Village Museum and the older part of town where I've stayed before. I managed not to get us lost and got us back to the hotel and then to the airport to meet the team.

The weather today was quite nice - not too cold although a bit windy.  I heard it may cool down again though. And Romania changes clocks ahead an hour tonight so I'm losing an hour's sleep twice this year. I didn't sleep much on the plane flights on the way over and I can tell my body clock is off even though we did a lot of walking around and being outside today.

I just may need to sneak over to the clinic tomorrow before orientation starts but then I'm afraid I won't want to leave and come back to the hotel to sit in a meeting. Who wants to be in a meeting when we can be with the babies....
.

Romania Bound

I'm leaving for Romania on March 24th and will be on the March 26th team for 3 weeks. For anyone who can't wait for my blog for news and pictures, check out Caroline's blog, tutovababies.blogspot.com. I volunteered with her before and she always does a great job of posting information. She will be staying for the March 26th team so I get to see her again. A side-benefit of these trips - making new friends.