Day 2 Tutova Clinic

I'm not even sure where to begin writing about the babies... there is so much going on and so many different thoughts running through my head all day long... I think I am going to just show pictures of each and give a mini-update each day, maybe?!? Who knows.. I may change my mind again tomorrow LOL

Cristi-DanielCristi-Daniel (who is a boy regardless of his clothing color) and Maria chatting together

Cristi-Daniel is a sweet boy who has Down Syndrome. He loves to watch himself in the mirror. He had horrible tummyache after nap time! So he missed out on lots of picture taking! This picture of Cristi and Maria was taken before nap. Cristi was babbling and talking to Maria like crazy! I actually have a video of it also which I will post soon! More about Cristi tomorrow!

Marius the Man

Marius and Cristi are the only boys in our room so they get attention from all the girls! Marius is a content baby. He enjoys just lying on his back and playing with any toy that makes noise! We are working with him on holding his head up while on his tummy and encouraging him to crawl. He has a March birthdate I believe and also has heart problems. He will eventually need surgery for his heart.

Andreea, the rocking chair queen

Andreea getting poop from Evan... poop means kiss in Romanian ;-)

Andreea is one of the long time residents of the clinic. She is a precious girl who lights up whenever you speak to her! She and Evan are long time friends and she truly responds to her like no other! We were so pleased with her progress today! During tummy time she was pushing herself up on her arms and knees AND holding her head up! Bravo Andreea!!

Maria Maria... our May 3 baby!

Maria is such a sweetheart!! She came to the clinic due to being malnourished. She has gained weight obviously and seems to be a healthy, content baby. She just hangs out.. unless one of her friends begins to cry and then she jumps in to make the crying louder! :-) Such a sweet baby!

Laura and Maria looking out the playroom window




Alina, otherwise known as Thumbalina

Alina with Terri

Alina with Shannon

Trying to show how tiny this baby truly is

Alina is 13 months old and weighed 8 pounds according to the last volunteer. We are planning to ask someone to weigh her for us soon! She is truly a teeny, tiny doll. She has a wonderful personality and will smile at anyone who speaks to her. Alina was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is crawling like a mad woman and likes to escape with Mihaela. She is cruising and constantly wants to be on her feet walking! Amazing to watch such a tiny thing cruising around the room holding on to toys!

Gabriella, aka Sleepy Head or Sleeping Beauty, twin to Mihaela

All this sweet girl does is sleep!! She actually is quite cranky while awake.. we think she is teething! She has the sweetest smile and soft coo! I promise to try to get a picture of her awake tomorrow!




Mihaela, sweet twin to Gabriella

Mihaela is the bouncy, laughing girl! She is a huge hit in the room because she is always so happy! I haven't re-read her jouranl and therefore don't know a lot of her background. I do know that she is crawling like a wild woman! We have to scream out "ESCAPE ATTEMPT" frequently as she tries to exit the non-mobile room! She is smaller than her sister and it seems much more advanced.

Evan and Mihaela snuggling

Shannon with Mihaela

Ema-Elena

Ema-Elena the sweet, sweet Valentine baby (dob Feb. 14, 2008)... Ema is so precious. On our first day at the clinic she cried uncontrollably. We took turns walking her and bouncing her... We finally determined that she is EXTREMELY gassy and unfortunately wasn't being burped after bottles & feedings... She arches her back and her whole body stiffens... it is painful to watch :-( She seems to feel better after a big burp! However Ema-Elena was diagnosed as having cataracts, being malnourished, and having "Spastic Cerebral Paralysis" at birth. Apparently she spent the first 3 months of her life with a feeding tube and came to Tutova Clinic at 3 1/2 months. The good news however is that her parents have visited at least a couple of times so she should have a place to go home to when she is ready. Too bad - because I would fight to bring this sweetheart home! :-) On Day 2 we made sure to burp her immediately upon removal from her crib and FREQUENTLY during feedings.. I think it took me over an hour to give her the last bottle of the day because I couldn't bear to think of her lying in bed suffering with a tummyache all night long! Day 2 was a much better day for Ema-Elena, everyone fell a little bit in love with her!