Second day

Today they let Ionela and Maiastra out of the isolation room. Ionela was in their because she had just ben to the hospital to have a procedure for her cleft lip. Maiastra had also just ben to the hospital, I'm not sure what for. Maiastra is part of the mobile group although she is 4 years old now -older than most the toddlers. However, she is not walking much yet and she is not verbal like the toddlers. She suffered oxygen deprivation during birth and has some mental retardation. She was the secnd born of a set of triplets. Her birth parents kept the boy (Maiastro) who was born after her and her sister Maia, who was born first was at the clinic too until recently; Maia is now placed with a foster family but unfortunately they were not able to take Maiastra too. Maia was a very normal toddler -very friendly and interactive and the most talkative of her bunch. It's really sad that they couldn't be placed together. I wanted to bring the two of them (as well as about 6 others who became my favorites) home with me last time.

I played with Beatrice (one of the others I wanted to bring home last time) some more today. I took her outside and she played very nicely with Marion and Julian. They dug with a small rake and played with some rocks. They wanted nothing to do with the play area full of slides and swings and plastic toys. Beattie had on the cutest outfit today -a white onesie with red ginham bloomers and a pink sun hat. unfortunately my camera battery died before I got a picture of her today (I forgot to charge the battery this morning). There will be plenty of other chances but she did look so cute today I'm sorry I didn't get it on film -or on disk rather. I just bought myself a new digital camera as my lovely film one isn't working and I didn't have time to get it fixed before my trip. I think it's the flash that's broken on it so it might take fine pictures on a nice day outside; that's the best time to photograph anyway.

Tiny little Alina was dressed in a size 0-3 month outfit today and she was swimming in it. We're going to have to look for some newborn size clothing for her. She is taking her bottle a little better today. She only take about 2 to 2 1/2 ounces at each feeding and then fusses heartily untill the bottle is removed. I think she must get hungry in between feedings. If she was mine I would be feeding her more often and back in the states she would porbably be getting nutrients intervieiously or through a G-tube or something. She keeps amazing me with her strength. She sat for a few seconds on her own today and she holds her head up so well. I took her outside today and she slept out there in my arms. There was a warm breeze blowing and we sat with Hali, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Bree (fellow volunteers) and watched the toddlers play. It was lovely.

It started to rain as we left today which felt so nice in the hot humidity. Hopefully it will clear up by tomorrow though so we can bring the kids outside again.