Mother of Georgia
OK... I know you're all wondering where I find the time to do this.
And why there are so few pictures of Mommy. Well I'm a night owl and have been running on fumes since we got here. Interesting part of it is ... When I wake up before Tamara all I can think of is that first cup of coffee... think of until Tamara wakes up. The amazing thing is once I see her I wake up QUICK ;o) Suddenly I turn into wonder woman. It's really weird.
No aches, no pains, no need for sleep.
Tamara seems to think her mom is the Energizer bunny. She keeps me going and going and going. I really need to take a count of her potty breaks. Some are real potty breaks and some are "if a tinkle a tiny tid bit.. mommy will wipe my bottom and I get to play with the water when I wash my hands" potty breaks. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference until we're in there.
She usually has a pretend potty break when Mom sits down and puts her feet up for more then 30 seconds. lol.
So as you can imagine I have very little down time right now while she's awake.
When she sleeps I get to have adult conversation with Bruce. OK... stop laughing. When Daddy goes to bed I hit the computer and try to stay on top of things. Sometimes it's fairly smooth and other times it can take hours. Like last night trying to get the video loaded was a nightmare that kept me up till 5 am. Tamara decided to wake up at 8 am..... Let the games begin.
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Our typical day starts around 8 am.
Tamara is supposed to sleep until 9 am.
I change her, wash her, do her hair, brush her teeth. potty break
Breakfast with Tamara finished 10 am... potty break
Play Time co mingled with potty breaks until 12 pm
Anna arrives at 12 noon ... potty break
Lunch until 1pm...potty break
Tamara Nap 2 to 4 pm or Power nap 2-3pm (if we're running out)...potty break
Dinner 6 pm-7 pm....potty break
Play time 7 - 8 pm ... potty break
Bath Time 8 pm and prepare for bed... potty break
8:45 in crib if Mommy timed it right? ... potty break
Tamara asleep by 9-9:15 pm.
Adult conversation... lol... can't believe I have a schedule for this ..lol 9:30-11 pm
Daddy goes to sleep ... 11 pm
I blog and try to keep up with my emails. 1 am - 5 am depending
Shower and Go to bed 1:30- 5:30 am depending
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Now I am in awe of my friends who have been doing this for years.
Most for multiple children.
Now I appreciate why one of my friends when asked what she wanted for her Birthday said "all I want is to shave my legs" hence the late night showers. Certain things I refuse to give up.. but now I can understand how it could happen ;o)
I guess I'm really starting to feel like a Mom the last few days.
Wiping, washing, feeding, wiping, washing, feeding.
There was a moment yesterday when I looked in the mirror after putting her to bed and I noticed a food stain on my shirt along with some baby cornstarch. I remembered where the food stain came from. I had taught Tamara how to spit (yeah I did...lol) for tooth brushing purposes.
She has been swallowing the rinse water and I didn't think that was such a great idea. Anyway.. she my little 5 star princess spit while I was feeding her some fruit yogurt. I was more concerned with her lack of table manners at that moment then the stain on my shirt. Yeah... welcome to Motherhood. I'm pretty sure I nipped the spitting issue as she's only doing it in the sink now. Thank God!!! ;o)
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As for the pictures... I'm usually the one who takes the pictures. I've always liked photography... when I see a Kodak moment and go for it. There's also the issue of quality of the photos others take. Yes... I'm vain. I'll admit it. If it's not semi flattering it's not going to be seen.
This is the first trip ever that I didn't over pack for. I was told everyone wears dark colors in the former Soviet countries. Mostly black. True they do wear a lot of black here but I really could have brought better more interesting, more flattering clothing. Georgian woman for the most part dress tastefully. Sometimes I feel under dressed. A first for me. I don't like it.
My advise to the future adoptive Moms or tourist going to Georgia is wear what you're comfortable in. Make it tasteful and don't worry too much about it.
No matter what you wear they will be able to tell you're not Georgian and honestly I don't think it matters much to them.
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Below... Tamara and Daddy.
It's official... he's in ;o)
Tamara loves her Daddy and as you can see in this photo she has him wrapped so tightly around her little pinkie it's really cute to watch her in action with him.
Today we went to the GOLD Market.
I bought Tamara a "Queen Tamara" Georgian Cross pendant and chain.
Still haven't figured out what the Kt. quality is. I asked but they don't seem to understand the concept of 14,18,24 kt. here? One person said it's 999 , one said 555?
Looks like 24 to me? Everyone claims it's the best in the world?
Anyone out there have any knowledge of Georgian gold?
I also picked up a ring and earring set for Mommy. Very pretty.
I was interested in several other pieces but when we asked everyone of them said $500 US ?
I think that was the price for being an American? Maybe... maybe not but that's the feeling I got. I found it interesting that they didn't give me the price in Lari? Were they hoping for US dollars? I really didn't want to go over budget on this trip. If I knew what our return date was I could perhaps justify another bobble or two?
The Gold Market is a fascinating place. I was going to try and sneak a photo but then I noticed the guards holding some sort of riffles and I thought better of it. I imagine they have rules about photography in the Gold Market.
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Yes we're still waiting to hear when we can leave. Apparently we're waiting for the official judges decision in writing and it was supposed to be today? Then there's some official that needs to sign it. Since today is Friday we may not know until early next week.
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The thought of leaving Georgia is bitter sweet for us. The people we have met have all been very nice to us. And the staff has become sort of an extended family. So as much as we know we have to go home and need to go home to start our new life with Tamara..
leaving Georgia will not be easy.
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After the Gold Market we decided to go visit "THE MOTHER OF GEORGIA"
She sits high up on a hill. A traditional wine cup in one hand and a sword in the other.
The wine to welcome her guests and the sword to warn her enemies.
I like her... she reminds me of what I have always said.
"I can be your best friend or worst enemy ... the choice is yours."
A Happy Hostess and protector of those she loves. lol
Neat concept, smart choice.
Below is the view from up above.
This is what The Mother of Georgia sees while welcoming and protecting her children.
Here's The Mother... she's pretty big as you can see.
Very nicely done.
Unfortunately I was unable to get a shot from the front as I wasn't willing to hang off a cliff to do it but I think you get a pretty good sense of her.
In this picture you see the sword she uses to warn her enemies in her right hand.
Wine cup in her left.
Lee, Tamara, Anna and Geo (not sure of spelling) our driver.
Found out today he's a retired cop... no wonder he's so protective. ;o)
These two happen to be a Father / daughter team. They're sweet together.
We enjoy their company... even though Geo don't speak English.. Anna has been able to translate enough that he even laughs at our jokes..lol.
Tamara eating AGAIN.
I don't know where so puts it but she's been eating more then we have. She loves trying new flavors and textures. This little 25 lb peanut can really pack it away. She always finishes everything on her plate. Will ask for more and snacks constantly. Could it be an orphanage thing? Children who come from an environment where food is scarce do over eat initially and do hide / hoard food for a while. Unsure where or when their next meal is coming from? Or is she about to have a growth spurt? They say children will binge eat just before they have a growth spurt? Hum... Guess we'll figure that out when we get home? One trip to Costco should convince her we won't run out anytime soon. lol.
Here she's eating the last piece of Anna's Mom's Bean Bread. Shouldn't have left the plate on the table. Anyway... she loves this stuff. I have to get the recipe so I can make it for her at home.
Tamara is doing very well... She has changed so much since we got her.
Even her hair is now shinny... when we got her it felt somewhat dry and brittle?
Change in diet? Or change in hair products? Must be the LOVE!!!
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