Day 12 - Taking Akvila to the doctor

We got up this morning, made some breakfast and then headed out to meet Edita (correct spelling now) to go to the orphanage.  When we got there Akvila did not want to go with us, she did not understand what was going on, they explained to her that we were going to get her picture taken and then going to see the doctor.  She was hesitant to come down to the play room with us, but she did with the caregivers help.  We went in and started to play a little.  Edita left the room because we told her that Akvila usually is more active when we are by ourselves with her.  So we played for a while and then Akvila got very sad.  She started to cry so mama held her and rocked her.  She was upset because she was still not clear on what was going on.  After a little while daddy started setting up the blocks like dominos and then she went back and knocked them down.  When Edita came back she asked her again where we were going and if we were going by airplane or by taksi.  Edita is very good with her and explained again that we were going by taksi to go get her picture taken and then going to see the doctor and then coming back to the orphanage.

At noon she went upstairs to eat her lunch and we went outside to take photos of the outside of the orphanage.  The snow is melting but was still very deep, I went walking through the snow and it was almost to the top of my boots.  It is hard to believe there are about 100 children living in this orphanage and there are two other buildings nearby that house the older children.  There is a little boy in Akvila's group that has a smile that lights up the room, he came over and hugged me today, he is so sweet. 

After lunch Akvila came down all dressed for the cold and we left to get in the taksi.  She likes riding in the car.  She was asking about the traffic lights and what they meant.  She saw birds and other cars, it was a good trip.  When we go to the grocery store near the orphanage we had to go in and get photos done for the doctor and the embassy.  Edita and I went in and Wayne waited outside.  It takes about five minutes to get the printed photos so we went into the grocery store to look around.  It was fun to watch her, the look of amazement in her eyes; at all the things you can buy.  This was the first time she has ever been in a grocery store (that she can remember).  I had her help me pick out a snack.  Then we went and looked for some ponytail holders.  We found some really cute ones and I let her pick them out.  We walked around the store again and I got some dried apples for Wayne & I to snack on since we did not know when we would get lunch, she told me "no" until I told her that they were for Mama.  She then found the peanuts in the shells and I asked her if she liked them and she said yes so I let her scoop some in a bag.  I was glad to know she was not allergic to peanuts because we brought some peanut butter with us.  We found out that she has never had peanut butter, they didn't realldy even know what peanut butter was.  We headed for the register and Edita suggested something to drink.  So I ran back to get some iced tea for Akvila and Coca-Cola Light (diet) for Wayne & I.  When I came back around the corner Akvila was looking for me.  We were waiting in line she saw one of her favorite candies (the eggs with the surprise toy inside) so Mama bought one of those too.  I know she is spoiled already.  I told her to put her hair bows on top of the belt and she did, then she went to reach for it and the belt moved.  She jumped back and said "Oy".  It was very cute.  When they started to ring us up I moved forward to the end of the counter to get the items and she got scared to leave her stuff until Edita told her the lady will slide it down to us.  So she moved with me and saw me collecting the stuff and started to help me.  She watched intently while I paid and then took the items to leave.  We picked up the photos and got back into the taksi. 

We got to the doctors office and she did well there.  She had some peanuts while we were waiting and then they weighed her and measured her height.  Then we went upstairs to fill out some forms and then she saw the doctor.  The only part of the exam she did not like was when the doctor tried to put the nasal speculum in to look up her nose, she wrinkled her nose and pulled back.  Once we were done we got all dressed for the cold and went back to the taksi. 

The taksi took some back roads which were very curvy.  Riding with these drivers on the narrow snow covered roads is an adventure all its own.  We went inside and she started up the stairs and then daddy told her bye bye and held out his arms for a hug.  She came back down the stairs and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek!   We were so excited because this is major progress. 

When we got back all the small children were napping so we talked with the caretakers for a few minutes.  Akvila told them she liked when I spoke Lithuanian.  They asked her if she was going to America and she said she did not want to go and then they asked if she wanted to go to America with her mama and she said yes.  She will likely have a hard time the first night but I think once she is with us she will be ok.  She does have other friends that were adopted and went to America.  I left the peanuts for her to share with the other children.

We headed back to the apartment for a late lunch.  While walking through the courtyard I dropped the folder I had which contained Akvile's artwork that she made for us so many months ago.  Of course it blew directly under a car into a mud puddle.  I was freaking out a little and Wayne quickly laid down on the pavement to get it out.  We ran upstairs and dried it as well as possible.  I think it will be ok. 

I had to wash Wayne's coat because there was mud all over the front.  So he will be cold when smoking tonight, especially with it starting to snow.

I will add pictures tomorrow of the Trakai Castle and the pictures from the outside of the orphanage from today.  We didn't take many pictures inside today, because she was moody and tearful.