The Night the Lights went out in Georgia

The Night the Lights went out in Georgia...

Yup.. we had a blackout late last night as I was finishing my post.

Only our block.. no power, no lights, no Internet, no phone.

Luckily we still had water.

Lasted about 10 hours... just enough to mess me up a bit.

It's amazing how we take such simple things for granted until you lose them.

Anyway... it came on as I was doing my makeup to natural light...

that too I found a little scary. ;o)

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OK.. a quick briefing and we get to it.

First off we're having email issues. We do receive your emails but are not able to respond

through my leek account. So keep them coming and I'll try to respond via the blog.

We do have Skpe and are able to call when we're here during our day time. Evenings are a problem as it wakes Tamara since we have to practically yell for you to hear us.

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OK.. let's get to it.

Today started out with no coffee :o(

So I was a little grumpy until baby girl woke up. She's a morning person. So sweet and cheerful you forget you're supposed to be grumpy. ;o)

We had breakfast... cereal for Tamara and hum... what did we eat? I don't think we did? Anyway Tamara was so cute.. even with a power outage. She wanted to watch TV this morning and of course it didn't work. So she brought Daddy the remote and grabbed his finger and dragged him to the TV.. pushed the power button on the front of the TV... put her little hands on her non existent hips and looked at Daddy as if to say "Fix it Daddy". Too cute.

Some how we managed to explain to her that there was no power and she understood. I guess she's familiar with power outages?

We had an appointment with a US embassy appointed Doctor to examine Tamara this morning so after breakfast we had to boogie as our driver and translator were waiting.

The Doctors visit went well so far. Her vital organs are all fine and she appears to be healthy.

Still waiting for the HIV and TB blood test results... probably tomorrow. Although Tamara has already been tested the US Embassy insists on another set of tests by their Drs. before issuing a visa. This is pretty standard for all international adoptions.

Tamara is very small for her age. Her 2 T clothing is falling off of her... especially the pants. Tiny Tush... no hips. Right now I would say she is probably 18 mo size.

She also has a tiny head... today we found out her skull is still not fused as it would be on a regular 3 year old. This could actually be good news as it still has room to grow.

When we return we will have to seek out a specialist in this field. She may have to wear a helmet for a while? Don't know?

The Doctor was amazed at her intelligence and how bonded she was to me. He couldn't believe she's been with us for only 4 days. He said that adopted children in this age bracket are very sensitive to their environment and that she must have sensed that she belonged to us?

She cried briefly during the exam and when they had to draw blood.

All in all a good visit.

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After the doctor's visit we went back to the apartment for lunch.

Anna made our lunch and then again we went out (driver and translator in tow) shopping for souvenirs. I learned a lesson today about 3 year olds. Don't give your daughter an expensive doll to see if she likes it. Within 10 seconds Tamara pulled some bead work off the doll's costume (repairable) but 140 Lari later we owned a doll ;o). LOL... the shop keeper didn't expect me to but it's only fair so I did. If you break it you own it right?

Tbilisi's main street .. sort of like their 5th Ave?

Today's goodies

The Doll... well made hand painted.

We purchased two paintings today... still not sure how we'll get the bigger one home? Doesn't fit in the suit case. Met the artist. I wanted this one because of the Pomegranate ... which Georgia grows and exports. Not in season now but the juice is great.

A full size hand made Georgian instrument... can't remember what they call it (starts with a P)but it has a nice sound and the women who was selling them played for us.

Drinking horns and daggers... both traditional and a must have if visiting Georgia.

So as you can see they have some pretty cool stuff. Not cheap but neat.

I wanted to pick up some decorative Georgian items to incorporate the Georgian culture into our lives. It's important that Tamara takes pride in being of Georgian decent.

Still have to visit the gold market. Want to get Tamara her name charm with the Georgian alphabet spelling. Also looking into getting her name done in Georgian for her room to match the Tamara letters we have on her wall in English. Just waiting for a quote.

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Our apartment is well stocked with many, many book shelves filled with all sorts of books in Georgian and English. Not much time to read but Bruce is hopeful.

Cutie Pie has mastered the sippy cup. She loves it and her light up sneakers. Which by the way are great for blackouts. You can tell where she is. I guess they lighted her path as she was fearless in the dark. lol . Who knew? I should have gotten a pair for Bruce and I.

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Tomorrow after lunch.. Anna will babysit Tamara while Bruce and I go to the Bazaar to buy orphanage supplies and then visit the orphanage. This I know will be a difficult day seeing all the children that are left behind. But Bruce and I both feel very strongly that we need to see first hand where Tamara spent the first 2-1/2 years of her short life. It will help us better understand her, her development and see what else can be done to help the orphans not only in Georgia but the rest of the world.

Again I'd like to Thank ALL of you who have sent checks and contributed to this cause. I should be able to take some pictures for you. Georgia does not do many international adoptions. Most orphanages around the world depend on adoptive parent contributions to help with supplies, food, repairs and such. I'm sure they are looking forward to our visit. I was told we couldn't go today as they we doing a massive cleaning? Hope it's not on our account. Anyway.. tomorrow will be a heart breaker for sure.

Many people have suggested that we skip this tour. That it will somehow haunt us forever? Perhaps it will... perhaps if everyone took this tour and was haunted by it "we" would all do something about it?

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