Nov 27: Meeting the Babushka

11/27/07: We slept late, and then spent about an hour at the internet cafe. On the way back to our apartment we picked up some groceries, then stopped and bought some flowers for the babushka (grandmother). We got back and got cleaned up.

Misha picked us up at 3:20 and we arrived at the orphanage at 3:30. The receptionist said the grandmother would be there around 4:00. They brought our boy down about 3:40, and then the grandmother arrived.

We introduced ourselves and gave her the flowers. We sat down at the table in the art room and the receptionist said she'd be back in 15 minutes. The grandmother had brought our boy a juice box, and brought us all a box of chocolates. We showed her one of the photo books that we'd made for our trip, and told her she could keep it. She gave us some pictures of our boy, and we tried to communicate a little bit. The receptionist returned and we exchanged addresses. The grandmother only stayed about 30 minutes, then insisted on giving the three of us some time alone. She asked if it would be okay if she came back once more before he left, and agreed to come during our Friday visit.

We stayed and played until 5:30. He was more active and energetic than we'd ever seen him before: very talkative and lively! I walked him back to his groupa and gave the remaining chocolates to the caregivers.

Misha drove us back to the apartment and we walked to the Moscow market for a couple of things. We returned to the apartment and had dinner, then watched 24 and The Office beforegoing to bed.

It had been an emotional day, but in the end we were glad to have made a connection with someone in his birth family. She was very kind. It was obvious she only wanted what was best for her grandson, and was hopeful to be able to continue to have contact with us in the future.

By the way, did you notice he was wearing a different sweater on this day? This was the ONLY day he didn't wear the Mickey sweater!