First Tears

What an amazing day! Maksim knows the routine.

When we first arrive, he gives us hugs and kisses and goes straight for his blanket that Nana made for him. He knows that as soon as we set it out, food will come. He was really into English today. Every thing we said he would mimic. But he has learned to say "I like it! Da" He repeats this and "Pashaloosta Papa" all during snack time. Today he ate another entire green apple. "Yum" If we sound like a broken record, yeah, so. This is the visitation life. He gets so hungry that he chokes on his food sometimes. Papa cuts the apple into the smallest bites. It takes us about 1/2 hour for snack time. That is fine with us and with Maksim.

At lunch time, we ate with another American couple. They are from San Antonio and we had a nice time talking about the adoption, basketball, and beer. We also taught their translator some words to describe "over drunk" people. Probably not the best topic of conversation but it was funny.

We went to a bazaar and bought Maksim some new gloves (the ones we brought were too big for his fingers, but too short) and some sunglasses. And boy were the glasses a hit. He loved, loved, loved them. He wouldn't put them down. Actually he would put them down, then up, then down, then on his head, then poke his eye, then down and so on. He loved to wear them on his head like Momma does. He loves to make them move up and down like Papa. "I like it!"

We got to talk to one of the caregivers today. She is really nice to us and especially to Maksim. She explained that Maksim has really changed since we have been visiting. She said his language has increased alot and that he is like a boy that has grown up at home. We told her that we heard Maksim had been naughty. She said, "No. Not naughty. He has the taste of freedom." Even though Kazakhstan is a free country, Momma couldn't help but hear the Star Spangled Banner and see an American flag. Silly Momma, she is so patriotic!

We went for a walk and Maksim tried to entice Momma to leave the gates. "Come this way," he motioned with a cute little smile. Momma couldn't even come close for fear of the temptation. He still loves to look at all of the machinee. Yeah! Momma and Papa also love cars. He sweet talked Anya (translator for the Gaines family) into an extra piece of candy. Who can say no to a handsome dude in orange sunglasses! He looked so cute.

We came back to the room and played for a while. We read a book about a family of spiders getting a new car. It has some really fun onomatopoeia in it so we all SCREECHED and WHINED. My mom was right. It was a great book to pack. He hasn't liked it until today. But we had so much fun - over and over. He repeated all of the words with the same tones that we used. Amazing.

At the end of the visit it was time to fold the blanket. He did NOT want to help Papa. Nee-yet. He knew that it was time for Momma and Papa to go. Nee-yet. He started crying. Real tears this time. Momma got to pick him up and sing him a lullabye as he snuggled her. It made him feel better and he got back up to play. But it wasn't time to play. So we put away the toys and said Paka Paka. He went back into his room and waved and said Da Svidanya and blew us kisses. His caregivers allowed him to run back and give Momma E Papa another hug.

"I love you so much Momma." a first.

"I love you so much Papa." another first.

We love you so much, Maksim!

A. Maze. Ing.