First day at the hospital... (Monday morning)

After a yummy breakfast, Kerry read her journal writing and Dan gave us the message of the day. Then we jumped in 3 taxis and headed to the hospital. It was about a 5-10 minute taxi ride.

Emily as we got out of the taxis.

It is suggested that we wear street clothes to the hospital and change after we arrive. Emily is looking lovely and official after she changed into her scrubs. However, I think we have both decided that it is awfully hot to be wearing scrubs in an un-airconditioned hospital.. tomorrow will be shorts and a scrub top for me!!

Emily and Gabriela with one of the balls we bought for her. I first met Gabriela in Dec 2008 at the Tutova Clinic... she was a chubby, lovable baby! Now she is a tall skinny girl but still so lovable!!

Paula... Paula was also at Tutova Clinic when I first arrived in December 2008.. but I must say she has changed in so many positive ways it is AMAZING!

This beautiful girl is Ionella, 10 months old. She just came to the hospital on Friday. Here is her story. A lady called the police and said she found this beautiful baby in the road with a note saying the mother could no longer take care of her. :-( Turns out that wasn't the truth.. the lady was Ionella's mother!! She just doesn't feel she can care for her any longer. If I am not mistaken the doctor said the mother was 17 and has 3 children.

Ionella is BEAUTIFUL! She did not enjoy being held much today. She would point to the crib frequently wanting us to put her in and leave her alone. She is going to have to adjust to being around people and being held and loved.

Katie and baby Ana Maria. Ana-Maria is 18 months old.

Another picture of Emily and Gabriela.

Marius. Marius was at the Tutova Clinic in December 2008 during my first trip to Romania. He became Emily's "favorite" as she learned more about him through my blog. We were super excited to see him today!

Mihaela. Mihaela is Gabriela's twin sister -- so of course I met her for the first time in Dec. 2008 also. Mihaela is a normal active beautiful girl. She does have a cold and that is the reason for the IV on her wrist :-(

This is a new boy named Sebastian. He and his brother Alexandru were taken by CPS and brought to the hospital last week.

Maria-Cleopatra is a beautiful girl who is hydrocephalic. She also came to Tutova Clinic in Dec. 2008. She recently had a shunt placed.

Mihaela, Jane (volunteer from Australia), Gabriela, and Emily

One of the playrooms where the older children gather. (Volunteers Kerry, Bob, and Brad are in this picture but only Brad can really be seen. :-) )

Maria-Cleopatra

Emily and Mihaela dancing

Having a music lesson: Emily, Mihaela, Gabi, Jane, and volunteer Jennea (from MN)

This precious boy came to the hospital on Friday also.. he and his sisters were taken by CPS. His name is Emilian and he is 4 or 5 years old.

This is Mina, Emilian's sister. She is 4 or 5 years old. Not sure which is the older of the 2.

Mihaela with a drum set we brought from the States.

Gabriela with a ball we brought from the States.

Marius and Jennea having a great time throwing the ball over and into the crib. He was laughing so hard.. check out his cute dimple!

Sweet baby Ionella

After all the morning medical exams were completed we were able to bring some of the children outside. Nine volunteers, ten kiddos, and 2 strollers down 4 flights of stairs.. it was rather comical!

Alexandru and Sebastian - brothers and sweethearts!! They are so loving and shy!

Alexandru or just Alex

Emily and Ana-Maria

This lovely lady is Deona-Georgiana. She got stuck with the names Sunshine and Strawberry Shortcake today because none of us could remember her name! She is the baby sister to Mina and Emilian. Mina and Emilian had a great time pushing her in a stroller outside.

This little guy was cracking me up. Whenever he wouldn't get his way he would run over behind the bushes and pout. His name is either Gabriel or George LOL I am not sure which but will find out for sure tomorrow.. and he has a sister named Denisa. They were also taken by CPS in the past week.

This is beautiful Denisa... I did not get a good enough photo for you to see how beautiful she is.. but she is lovely! Bright eyes and huge smiles! She is also shy and likes to be close to volunteers.

Deona and Emilian on the swings

Brad and Kerry playing on the merry go round

Alex loves this toy!

Mina loved my camera.. she made all these silly faces and then wanted to see the pictures!

Emily and Ana-Maria playing in the grass.

Krista (from California) with Ionella visiting with Emily and Ana-Maria

Jane and Denisia (sp?)

Emily stole my camera for this one! At least Ana-Maria looks good!

After playtime we took the kids back upstairs for lunch. As soon as we came back inside Dan told us that it was time for Marius to head back to the Placement Center -- here several of the Tutova kids went. :-( We were sad to see him go but so happy that we were able to see him in the first place!!

Coca, an aide from Tutova, came to visit! Coca is one of the sweetest, happiest ladies I have ever met! I wish I knew more Romanian so I could communicate with her more! She loves sweet Ana-Maria and comes to check on her when she has a break from working with Raul.

Mihaela got curious about my camera while waiting for her lunch...

Gabi is worrying me... she ate less than half her bottle at lunch and none of her afternoon bottle. She is *so* skinny! :-( I am going to start sneaking something/anything in to get her to eat!! Okay not really or not without permission from Dan! But I think I will go to the store and get either yogurt or baby food in the morning.. the nurses think too much yogurt will give the babies diarrhea but they ate it EVERY DAY at Tutova and were fine!

Dan's wife, Mihaela (who is also a Country Manager/Team Leader for Global Volunteers) cane to visit before lunch and had a singing session with some of the older kids. Their daughter Delia assisted her.

Shortly after the last song was sung it was time for everyone to take a nap and for volunteers to have lunch. I do have more pictures from the afternoon but it is 10:30 in Romania and I must go to bed or be worthless tomorrow! If I happen to wake up early and blogger is cooperating I will post more pictures then! Noapte buna! Goodnight!