Boredom is Setting In

Well as the title says boredom is beginning to settle in ..... there's not a lot to do, at least that we can find on our own. We've pretty much explored everywhere within walking distance -- well, and then I have to be comfortable enough with where we're going to get us back to the apartment. Wouldn't want to get lost .... it would be nice if the agency would give you some time with the translator and driver to see some of the other areas. But they will only come when there is "business" pertaining to the adoption. Rossi actually does a lot of the adoption paperwork so she does not have time to take us around. That is much different from when we were in Kazakhstan -- the translator is just that, your translator, and the driver was very willing to take us places and pick us up if we gave him a specific time. That is not an option here.

Hailee really wanted to sleep in again. She might as well enjoy it while she can. While she slept Gabriela and I kept ourselves busy with play-dough, old-maid and crazy 8's. While playing we kept hearing an odd sound coming from the balcony area -- we opened the door and went out and found these two visiting ...... Gabi must have spent 20 minutes just watching. And taking pictures, of course, this is one of about 50 (no exaggeration here)

Eventually Hailee rolled out of bed and wandered into the living room. Gabi was watching her video from Ganka so Hailee sat down next to her to watch it too.

About 15 minutes into it Gabi was very quiet and Hailee snuggled her close as they both continued to watch. (Thank you Catherine for sharing your story about Oksana, I know there is going to be rough patches ahead -- it helps to know someones been through it with an older child. Hailee was so young and didn't have the family connections that Gabi does -- I'm sure I'll be asking your advice!)

After Gabriela and Hailee watched the video together, Gabi started it again and started dancing and singing with it -- of course, when I got the camera out she stopped and although she started again it wasn't the same. Thought you might enjoy hearing part of the church service they dedicated to her. Jack, I'm thinking dance lessons will be in her future -- Kylie and Payton, will you be able to help her with the moves???



To lighten Gabi's mood we decided to get out of the apartment. We walked across town to the apartment Jack & I stayed in last time we were here -- Hailee thought this one looked scarier than ours ..... I actually think it was a little nicer inside. Both bedrooms had double beds (we have a double bed in one room and a single in the other) that were more comfortable than what we have now. Celeste, you asked about the apartments -- Rossi said that they contract apartments from a leasing agent here in Sofia so they don't know what apartment you will get when you come. It depends on what's open at the time.
We watched for another kitchen store without success. A lot of the stores were closed today because it's Sunday. We started to pass the pizza place we ate at earlier and Gabi stopped to say she was hungry (with a sort of sign language) so we went in for some lunch.
On our grand adventure of the day we stumbled on some workers repairing the cobblestone sidewalk. They were carting sand by hand (in kind of a wheelbarrow type thing) so we stopped to watch for a little while.
I missed getting them close up, but there they are going down the street to get more supplies.
Another thing we find interesting in Sofia is the amount of restaurants that offer outdoor seating. Most of these outdoor areas are just right on the street in front of the restaurant so when you're walking past you are really walking right through the people who are eating. I think what's odd is that the restaurant may be empty inside but the outside area is full .... now would you choose to eat your dinner (and according to Kaleem, this is an expensive restaurant) right on the street corner???? We haven't -- Hailee always opts for inside seating ....

No idea what this is but Hailee thought it was kind of neat so we took a picture. The colors were very vivid, at least in the areas it had paint ......

We were out about 4 hours and when we returned the girls were just silly ......

Here's a little clip -- Gabriela is beginning to feel more comfortable with us -- everytime Hailee sat still someone was coming over .......

That's about it for today. A little nervous about this Exit Interview tomorrow. I'm not sure what it is I have to do -- Rossi said not to worry .... but I am going to anyway. We were told to be ready at 10:30, bring our passports and $400 for Gabi's Visa -- hoping that Rossi calls tonight so I can get more information -- we haven't heard from anyone all weekend, although, they did provide a cell phone with their phone numbers in case of emergency.

Almost forgot -- I've had several people ask about the phone number at the apartment -- it's 00359 2987 6757 -- would love to hear from you, please remember that we're 8 hours ahead of those in Wisconsin ......

Again, thanks you guys for staying in touch!! You'll never know how much it's appreciated!!!