Tbilisi

Tbilisi

I thought I'd post a few pictures of sites in Tbilisi we took while driving around yesterday.

We never made it out of the house today. Just as we were getting ready to leave a wicked storm kicked up. Very very windy, rather chilly and rain. ;o(

Tamara didn't seem to mind.. she was happy to have us stay home and play.

I'm in the process of trying to upload some adorable video footage.. for some reason we're having real issues posting video from Georgia? Hopefully we'll figure it out.. if not we'll try again from Home (stateside).

Anyway... Tbilisi

A very interesting place, nice people. We tried the wine last night. One of the things Georgians are known for is their wine making. Excellent wine! Seriously if you find it locally grab it! If not ask your local liquor store if they can get it for you. It's that good.

Unfortunately I doubt we will be able to bring any home with us. With all the FAA security / customs regulations and the risk of breakage it would be a real challenge.

Below is a Georgian wooden balcony.. something else they're known for.

Beautiful.

The New Church

Can be seen from most points in Tbilisi.

The Georgian people are very religious and take great pride in their many wonderful churches.

When we visited "the Mothers" church. I was told it was made for women but man are allowed. Tamara had a rather odd reaction. When we walked out of the church she really really wanted to go back in. It was as if she had a magnet in her tiny tush?

More of those pretty balconies

Fountains every where. I'd love to have this one in our front yard. lol

The veggie market at yesterday's Bazaar.

Hopefully we can go back before we leave? I'd love to see what else they have. I especially loved the fact that it was for the locals. Not a tourist trap. It was odd seeing things like a woman selling bras and whole chickens. On display together? I guess you sell what ever works?

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I'd just like to clarify something as I did get several emails regarding the conditions at the orphanage. Over all the condition, cleanliness of the facility was better then I had expected. The baby section was very clean as were the children from what I could see.

The 3-5 year olds area was less sterile of an environment. Yes I really wanted to give them all a bubble bath. But we need to understand that although the conditions are not perfect the staff is limited due to lack of supplies and lack of staffing. All the children had at least one nanny assigned to their room. What these children need is one on one time for that you need staff or volunteers. In the orphanage and baby house there are children who have parents and are not available for adoption. This is due to lack of financial stability in the birth parent home. Several have regular visits from Mom, Dad or both. Some have parents that placed them there for safe keeping and have not returned to sign the papers giving up their parental rights.

This problem is not exclusive to Georgia. It happens in all countries including the USA.

Aside from adopting one yourself. The best way to help these children from a far is to keep the donations of supplies coming. Get involved .. whether in Georgia or some other country. The needs of the children are all alike. They all need a safe enviroment and someone to love them.

Working with an agency that has a constant flow of parents going over seas is often times the most secure way to donate. They are familiar with the orphanage staff and their needs. The adopting parent can usually provide some documentation in the form of video and or pictures upon their return. If going over seas.. why not volunteer your services? Help them with repairs, offer to cuddle babies, play with toddlers and older children. Make them feel loved .. wanted.

If you think charity starts at home? Do something state side for our children. There are many that would be thrilled to get to know you.

Remember there is no shame in being poor, ill or an orphan. But there is shame however in knowing you can help a child and choosing not to.

~~~

We Are The World

We are the world... we are the children.

Today started off with fun and games with Tamara. Here she plays with Daddy.

She makes him lay down on the floor so she can cover him up with a baby blanket. Every time he tried to get up she pushed him down. And then finally she helps Daddy up.

Pretty cute action shot I thought... these two are really starting to bond.

Soon after Anna came over to serve our lunch and then Nina our translator came by.

Great news... Tamara's test results all came back negative.

Another few days and we should know when we're coming home.

Hopefully tomorrow we get the written judges decision and then the birth certificate, Georgian passport and then we're off to the US embassy again to get her Visa to the US of A. ;o)

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After lunch we left with Nina .. met our driver downstairs and went to the bank to cash and convert the fundraising money into Georgian Lari. In Georgia American Express travelers checks are treated as checks and not cash as we had experienced in other parts of the world. So every time we do this it's an hour long project especially when we require substantial amounts of cash.

After the bank we were taken to the Bazaar. A very interesting market / primitive shopping center.. which I'd actually like to revisit. Since it isn't very kid friendly we left Tamara at the apartment with Anna. We also didn't want to take her to the baby house / orphanage as we felt it might be too disturbing for her.

Below is a picture of the shop we purchased items to donate to the baby house.

Our driver and translator box up 79 packages of baby wipes.

You can see the case is wiped out... pardon the pun. ;o)

Nina & I box up cases of baby bottle nipples.


And more nipples

The shopkeeper called her supplier and they met us in the back alley with a truck filled with diapers. I'm pretty sure we made their day. ;o)

Taxi

Had to hire another car to help us deliver the goods.

The Baby House Entrance in Tbilisi

Inside wall of fence which surrounds the baby house gated property.

Unloading the donations.

Over 4,000 disposable diapers ( I lost count)

Cases of bottle nipples, baby wipes, baby powder and safety Q-tips

Our facilitator Mariza on the phone. She arranged our visit.

An amazing woman who is not only efficient but has great leadership skills... her team is in constant contact with one another and seem to know what our needs are even before we do. She is also genuinely concerned about all the children as is the rest of her team.

We're in Good Hands. ;o)

Bruce helps unload the cars.

The special needs ward.

I decided not to post most of these pictures as I felt it might be upsetting to my young nieces, nephews and friends children who are following our journey. There are several children who need very special care. Two need surgery. One little girl has a feeding tube. Has had surgery in Germany and needs another. Her father is hoping to be able to do this for his daughter but is unable due to his financial situation. Very sad. Cute little girl with mile long eye lashes. Another little boy needs hand surgery. His hands are deformed and he'll need the surgery to function.

I know there are many of you with soft hearts and deep pockets. If anyone is interested in sponsoring these children so they can get the surgery needed please contact me. I will put you in contact with the right people.

Bruce in The Baby room... he's really getting the hang of this baby stuff...lol

Kids are adorable & healthy.

A cute little cutie pie. About 6 months old. Just started teething.

One of their wonderful Nannies holding another cutie.

Toddlers... so cute

This sweet little boy has a wonderful attitude and is so cute. Unfortunately he was born with no arms. When he smiles the room lights up.

Feeding room

Perfect little baby girl ... abandoned at birth. There are several like her.

The opportunity to adopt one of these is usually reserved for natives of Georgia as it is in most countries.

Infant cribs. Most have been a donation. Very pretty in person.

Really neat swinging cradle... housing two twin boys. Going into foster care soon.

The twins.. 2 boys.. don't let the pink fool you. They put on whatever is clean. Colors are not gender specific in orphanages.

World's largest crib... well not really but it's really big.

Little boy with ball.. very sweet.

More babies

even more babies...

And more

Lollipops were a huge hit.

Nina gives a pop to a little cutie in the changing room.

Play area and equipment.

Entrance to 3-5 year olds.

3-5 year olds main entrance.

It was suggested that I bring 300 lollipops. I wasn't really sure why until now.

This was probably the most bazaar experience of my life.

The children all came running with hands out.

The children all sweet and beautiful. Candy is a rare treat for them.

This little girl is 5 years old. She is about the size of an American 1 year old.

She has a growth hormone deficency. Very cute... very intelligent and has a great personality.

I was called Dah-da (mommy) about a dozen times.

As these children get older they understand the concept of family.. It's heart breaking that they may never find theirs. :o(

cute little boy

Cute no?

Their toy shelf

A sister for Tamara?

Dinner time. Cereal and water. All the children drank out of the same cup. Eeek!

Little girl needed help with her overalls.

Nina helps put the bibs on.

7 kisses and a dozen Mama(s)

Although the staff is working very hard to make a difference in their lives.

We were actually surprised ... Very limited resources but they do the best they can with what the have.

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We'd like to Thank ALL the Friends, Family and The United Methodist Church of Andover for your generous contributions towards making this day such as great success.

It was a lot of fun doing this. As you know I'm a shopper and nothing is more fun then walking into a shop and watching the expression on someone's face when you say... we'll take it ALL. :o)

Nothing is more fun then seeing the expressions on on the baby house staff and children's faces when they realize you're not kidding. The joy is priceless.

So I would like to personally Thank each and every one of you. We brought joy to the world together... something we need more of. Something that seems to be harder and harder to achieve these days. It was an opportunity to reach out to children half way across the world and let them know that someone far away thinks they're precious.

They truely are precious!

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When we returned to the apartment... Tamara was thrilled to see us. She wouldn't let me put her down for at least an hour. After seeing where she spent the first 2-1/2 years of her life is really hit home. What we were able to do for her... how many people saw that special something she has that made it all possible. We are truely blessed to have found her.

Lay down Daddy. I want to play.

Bath time

Can I come out now?

The End to another perfect memorable day.

~~~