Today was yard clean-up day at the orphanage. All of the nannies were out working in the yard. Ben spent about 30 minutes helping out while Erlan and I watched him. We saw Erlan's favorite nanny, Nazipan, outside, and she tossed Erlan's ball with him a couple of times. One of the other nannies said to me (in English), "Your father helps us. He's good!" :-)
Erlan tried out the merry-go-round today. You'll see how seriously he took the experience from the pictures. We took some video, but it is hard to watch. The merry-go-round is in serious need of WD-40 and the squeak on the video is horrible. So, sorry kids, no video today.
Here's a picture of Erlan having Daddy help him practice on the stairs. We cannot walk by those stairs without Erlan practicing on them.
Here's a couple of pictures of Erlan trying on Daddy's sunglasses.
Erlan said another word today! He said, "Dog." He loves watching the stray puppies and their mom that live in the orphanage yard. We discovered that we can distract him from a tantrum if we start talking about the dogs. He's always willing to go look at them.
Erlan also got a new toy today. Nadia's mom, Rosa, gave him a little bunny with a pull string. Erlan loved it. Nadia gave it to him as soon as he came into the room. Erlan played with it for 15 minutes, at least. It even distracted him from his usual goal of going outside. He's playing with the toy in the picture. This picture was snapped right before Erlan sent the bunny into the two large stuffed animals that you can see in the background. Fortunately for Erlan, Nadia rescued the bunny from the stuffed animals... maybe I should have said fortunately for the stuffed animals...
The nannies are really worried about chicken pox. They told us again today that Erlan doesn't have it. The doctors are checking him every day. Bayana, our translator, told us that the doctors check him first. Everyone wants him healthy so he can go home with us!
In other good news, our friend Agnes brought her little boy Sacha home. We visited the two of them today. He's adorable. He's such a big boy. He's in an 18-month top and he'll turn 1 tomorrow! He really liked Ben.
And in more good news, our friends Gen, Joel, Gabriel, Kami, Eric, and Lincoln get to go home tomorrow!!! We're very happy for them. We miss hanging out with them in Aktobe.
In today's video, Erlan is dancing with Bayana. Erlan had a great time. Bayana played American music, but I didn't know any of it. I guess I'll have to turn on some top-40 stations instead of my beloved NPR so Erlan can listen to the tunes he seems to like. Fortunately for me, he also seems to like the Hank Williams Sr songs that I sing to him. :-)
Our afternoon visit started with one of the orphanage doctors and one of Erlan's nannies swooping into the playroom, taking off Erlan's shirts, and checking him for chicken pox. Chicken pox is going around the orphanage. Fortunately Erlan's spots were nothing. My fingers and toes are crossed that he can experience this childhood ailment once we get back to the States (if he experiences it at all).
We were able to go outside today during both visits. This is good news since Erlan allows us about 15 minutes in the playroom before he grabs his shoes and wants to leave. If we don't go outside, he spends his time looking out the window. Not sure what he saw when we snapped this pix, but he looks fascinated!
When we do go outside, Erlan likes for me to carry him and he almost falls asleep in my arms. He's done this during all of our outdoor adventures. I think he's skipping naps.
Erlan also practiced his climbing skills today. Nothing makes Mom or Dad move faster than these practice sessions. He's got such a big head that he's a bit top heavy and has a tendency to tumble.
In today's video, you can see Erlan's started babbling again. No idea what he's saying but he sure likes saying it. :-)
One more week and we get Erlan! The three of us are ready to be together as a family. Erlan practiced saying "up" more today. He's started whispering it instead of saying it--not sure what that's about. He's also decided not to use the potty when he's with us. He'll sit for awhile, but he doesn't do anything. He hasn't used it since we started sharing the playroom... maybe he has a shy bladder?
We were able to go out during our afternoon visit. It was a very nice day. The kiddos watch us from the playrooms. When Nadia goes outside, Erlan will watch for her. Nadia does the same thing. In the picture, she just gave Erlan his toy cell phone. As we were getting ready to go back inside, Erlan just about fell asleep on my shoulder. He was tired. I meant to ask the nanny if he's taking his naps.
We haven't taken pictures of Erlan's nannies yet. We tried once but the woman practically dropped Erlan trying to run away. We've been a bit wary of asking after that.
Today's video is actually from a few days ago. Erlan doesn't like sharing, whether it be food or toys... we're working on this skill. :)
It was Sunday, so only one visit today. Erlan was in high spirits. I am posting a very quick video where he says "up" and then Ben tries to get him to say it more. Naturally once Erlan saw the camera, he refused. :-) Such a 2 year old!
Erlan does look quite serious in all of the pictures and video that we take outside. I imagine that he is on sensory overload when we are out there trying to take it all in. I also think he's plotting his escape. ;-) We saw puppies today, and Erlan was intrigued. He wanted to follow the puppies. Poor old Jackson (Ben's 14 y.o. cattle dog), he doesn't know what he's in for.
Erlan had a grand time playing with Nadia. She's such a funny little girl. She tries to mother Erlan. She helps him with his boots and with the potty. She wants to share her cookie and drink with him. She is prepping Erlan quite well for the mothering he will get from Kenzi and Keely.
Another visit, another big day! Erlan said his first English word, "Up!" He has said mama, papa, and baba (banana) but this was his first clear word. He held his hands up to me and clearly said, "Up!" He also tried to say animal names when we read his book today. He understands when I tell him to put his shoes by my shoes. He knows when we want him to come to us. He's such a clever boy!
We were able to go outside twice today. Erlan likes going outside so much. I think he would like to escape from the orphanage whenever we go outside. The nannies are taking the children outside now so we see groups of kids. We try to avoid them b/c they just watch us and some clearly want to interact with us. I kind of think Erlan likes to show us off when we do see groups of kids.
Erlan is very fearful of stuffed animals. He's even afraid of the fur on my boots. The only stuffed animals in the orphanage are huge. At first, Erlan would give them wide berth and a terrified look. Ben showed him that Erlan could hit them so he wouldn't be afraid. The video shows the results of Ben's efforts. Erlan still doesn't like stuffed animals, but I think he's overcoming his fear.
Erlan was Mr. Gigglepants (I like that one Regina!) during our visits. He got to go outside. He played with Nadia. He ran around the room. He was worn out by the time we left today. I'm posting some video of him playing soccer with his balloon. I know that I'm completely biased but I think he may be the next Beckham ;-) (Yes, he is the only soccer player that I know.)
