Yesterday, Aliya had her first grumpy day with us (see photo exhibits a, b & c, above), likely due to some obvious and fragrant GI distress. Sal took it especially hard, because he was barely able to get a chuckle out of her, when normally he has her guffawing. 
She also refused to be rocked to sleep, preferring to comfort herself with fingers and blanket in her bed. We both left feeling a little down & helpless that we could not soothe her and relieve her distress.
Today she was back to her old self, greeting us both with a giant smile, laughing when she was tickled and tossed about, and falling quickly asleep in my arms at naptime, as I sang to her. Please, Powers Above, let this baby continue to be an easy sleeper, at least for another couple of years – two consecutive bedtime battles each night may take more energy than I have.
Overall, Aliya is becoming merrier and merrier, possibly because the caretakers have recently started making Sal wear a kerchief at meal times – initially, as a man, he was spared, but no longer. Aliya is not the only one giggling at the sight, the caretakers are highly amused (perhaps that’s why they started making him wear it). 
The days continue to shrink exponentially, and it is now just barely daybreak when we arrive at the baby house at 9AM. Temperatures have climbed to above freezing today, and everything is damp and muddy from the thaw. Sadly, we both are recovering from a restless night’s sleep, so we may miss out on cavorting in the balmy 36F temps, due to intense nap-o-philia. Then again, the forecast for Thanksgiving has a high temp of -12C, so we should probably do our best to enjoy the thaw while it lasts.
November seems to be wedding season in Kazakhstan – on the weekends, we see a car decorated for a wedding drive by every 10 – 15 minuets, no exaggeration. Our hotel has hosted a wedding each weekend, and they are protracted 2-day affairs, with dancing, music and eating late into the night each day. I would love to put on my only dress and sneak inside, ala Wedding Crashers, but while my round face, blue eyes & Russian name fit in well here, my frumpy & sensible Earth Shoes would give me away in a heartbeat.
Well, Sal is napping away as I type, and the bed is beckoning to me as well. So much for frolicking in the thaw. Love to all back home -t
She also refused to be rocked to sleep, preferring to comfort herself with fingers and blanket in her bed. We both left feeling a little down & helpless that we could not soothe her and relieve her distress.Today she was back to her old self, greeting us both with a giant smile, laughing when she was tickled and tossed about, and falling quickly asleep in my arms at naptime, as I sang to her. Please, Powers Above, let this baby continue to be an easy sleeper, at least for another couple of years – two consecutive bedtime battles each night may take more energy than I have.
Overall, Aliya is becoming merrier and merrier, possibly because the caretakers have recently started making Sal wear a kerchief at meal times – initially, as a man, he was spared, but no longer. Aliya is not the only one giggling at the sight, the caretakers are highly amused (perhaps that’s why they started making him wear it). 
The days continue to shrink exponentially, and it is now just barely daybreak when we arrive at the baby house at 9AM. Temperatures have climbed to above freezing today, and everything is damp and muddy from the thaw. Sadly, we both are recovering from a restless night’s sleep, so we may miss out on cavorting in the balmy 36F temps, due to intense nap-o-philia. Then again, the forecast for Thanksgiving has a high temp of -12C, so we should probably do our best to enjoy the thaw while it lasts.
November seems to be wedding season in Kazakhstan – on the weekends, we see a car decorated for a wedding drive by every 10 – 15 minuets, no exaggeration. Our hotel has hosted a wedding each weekend, and they are protracted 2-day affairs, with dancing, music and eating late into the night each day. I would love to put on my only dress and sneak inside, ala Wedding Crashers, but while my round face, blue eyes & Russian name fit in well here, my frumpy & sensible Earth Shoes would give me away in a heartbeat.
Well, Sal is napping away as I type, and the bed is beckoning to me as well. So much for frolicking in the thaw. Love to all back home -t
3 comments:
Cute pictures, she looks so happy with you guys.
sandi
Aw, it's so pitiful when they feel bad and you can't fix it. Have you decided whether her stomach is a belly or a tummy? We have a belly household here, but I grew up in a tummy household.
Thinking of you!
Mel
Hi, Sweeties,
All things considered, one grumpy day every two weeks is pretty darn good for a 7-month-old (on the other hand, one NON-grumpy day every two weeks is pretty good for a two-year old!). Hope you were able to catch up on your sleep. You'll probably be fully adjusted to Kaz time just about the time you return to the U.S.! We think about you all the time. Love, Mom & Dad
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