Last day at the baby house, and it was an emotional one. We met with the Baby House director, and the three doctors to give our thanks and goodbyes. Then, a little celebration with Antonio and Julia, and with the caregivers whom have looked after our children all the months before we came here, and watched us as we came to know our children.
For the people that work at the Baby House the departure day is bittersweet. The caregivers below,Galina and Nina both said that they were especially happy for Katja and Artome, but sad to see them go. Katja and Artome have been at this Baby House since November, 2004.
It was an incredible day and I wasn't ready for the reaction from the kids. Actually, we weren't sure how they would react. We skipped our morning visit as we were in a paranoid state as to preparing the apartment for their homecoming. We spent the morning cleaning and vacuuming the apartment and the early afternoon shopping for additional clothes, gifts and groceries. (Tsum Store (zoom) and another fab meal at Mario Pizza)
When we arrived at the Baby House at 4pm, we first met with the Doctors and the Director of the Baby House and presented them with cake, champagne and gifts. It was pretty brief, but they were very nice and congratulated us on our children and wished us the best. We hugged our beloved Dr. Lubov (a few times) and told her we will never forget her! We even caught a glimpse of the infamous Baby House cat! Black and white and a little fat! :)
What we didn't realize was that the kids knew that their day was coming. It starts with the day that their parents show up at the Baby House. A few days before, the caregivers start telling them: "Your Mama and Papa are coming!" "You are going to leave here someday soon with your Mama and Papa!" Wow.
So, what eventually happens in the Baby House group (in toddler land, at least) is that the other kids figure it out, and after you have visited your child or children for a few days they get jealous. Towards us the other kids were very loving and actually begging for our attention whenever they saw us. What we didn't know until today is that for the last several weeks Katja and Artome have been sort of "outcasts". The other children have shunned them in their own sort of way. It is their way of expressing their anger that their own "Mama and Papa" have not yet arrived. I almost cried when I heard this.
So, today when we arrived with no toys and our usual green duffel bag filled with clothes, Katja and Artome were on a different level. Then, when we began assembling a table in our usual "hallway" they knew that it was THEIR going away party. These parties signify to the kids that this is their last day at the Baby House and they are leaving with Mama and Papa. They've seen it many times and today was finally their turn.
Lots of tears from everyone as we left the Baby House for the last time. They did assure us that if we need them in case the kids are sick or have any problems that their doors are always open and we can come to them for help. That was very nice to hear. So, off we went to the apartment. Had dinner, played a little bit and put the kids down at 8:45. They 'talked" to each other a little bit and then went right to sleep!
The same little girl that cried that second day of our visits when we took her out the front door for a walk, was pointing at the door today as we bundled them up and said "Go!, Go!" Incredible.
