We went to the orphanage this morning from 9-11am. It was good to see Anna at a different time, she did seem a little more spunky and busy. We are not sure if it was the time of day, or the fact that she is starting to get more comfortable with us. We are beginning to see some insights into her personality which is soo cute. She definitely can get her point across, even though she doesn't use words. She enjoys slapstick humor (our boys will love that!). If you knock something down or pretend to fall down, you will get the cutest belly laugh out of her! I am sure the boys will provide countless hours of this type of humor for her:-)

While we visited with her for the 2 hours today, the same room was also being used for different groups "exercise time". They would rotate in and out small groups of 5-6 children to play around and even walk on these cute little treadmills (I will be sure to take a picture next time of them and post it). Although these children were having a great time and enjoying playing with their caregivers, my heart was still breaking for each of them. Do they also have a mama and papa who were coming for them? Many of them were content to just sit and watch us play and laugh with Anna. I wanted to let them join in, but it didn't seem like their caregivers wanted them to. One little one in particular walked up to Ryan two separate times and gave him a hug, then turned and went back to her group. She kept a close eye on him and seemed particularly interested in watching him play with Anna. I will always remember her adorable face.

After our visit we ate lunch at an Italian buffet and came back and did some grocery shopping at the store and farmers market. I think we are getting the "American prices", in fact I am positive of it, since we just spent $5 on a few sprigs of fresh dill!!!!! Can you believe that?! We also paid $10 for a few potatoes, I thought potatoes are cheap and that's why everything here is cooked with them! HMMM it sounds a little suspicious.

I can't help but post a few pictures of our sweet Anna's head donned with various bows. I know someday she will not like me for this, but seriously they are too cute to pass up. We were just saying we still don't know the true shape of her head because EVERYTIME we have seen her she is sporting these ginormous bows. I have to hand it to the caregivers, I am amazed that they can tie such a thing into an 18 month olds hair. Truly a work of art.








PS: Today was Anna's 18 month birthday. Happy year and a half to our sweet little girl!