We're here!

First off, I know you are all awaiting some pictures of Miss Ava but yesterday was our first time seeing her and we spent that time doing lots of hugging, cuddling, and trying to re establish our bond. We wanted her to feel safe and comfortable so we didn't bombard her with photos. But don't worry, the bombarding will be happening soon!

Here's the quick story of our journey here and our first day in Pavlodar:

Travel:
Our flights were just about as perfect as could be! All of them were on time and the flights themselves were smooth. I love the first flight to Frankfurt b/c there are people on it who are going to so many different parts of the world as their final destination. Last time we sat next to a women traveling to Iran to care for her mother and this time we sat next to a mother traveling with her daughter to Italy to plan a destination wedding! So fun!

Arriving:
We arrived in Pavlodar at 8:15 in the morning and it was still very dark. The sun comes up at about 8:30 or 9:00 in the winter I guess. The weather yesterday was FREEZING and today it's -22F. We haven't been outside yet and I'm guessing we wont be spending much time out there till it warms up. Our American friends (the Issacs) who live in Pavlodar are going ice skating outside today but we WONT be joining them.

Settling in:
We are staying at Emma's families apartment in Pavlodar as they are at home for the next few months visiting family. It's great to be in a familiar place! Belinda (Issac) met us here yesterday with homemade coffee cake and a fridge stocked with goodies. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends here! Emma and her husband also welcomed their third child, Charlotte, to the family a few weeks ago. CONGRATS!

Seeing our Ava:
When we arrived Sveta told us that Ava was in Pavlodar city getting a check up at the doctor's. At first this worried us b/c we didn't get to see her last trip when she went to the Doctor. But, Sveta said we could see her and that she was closer to us so that worked out great! Walking into the hospital we were so nervous and overwhelmed with emotion. When we first saw Ava she had just woken up from a nap and was weepy but after about a half hour of rubbing her back and allowing her to wake up, she was smiling that gorgeous smile and ready to color. I have never seen a child like any ONE thing like this girl likes drawing! By the end of the night she was cuddling with us and accepting LOTS of hugs and kisses from both James and I. YAY! We also noticed improvement in her fine motor skills...she was holding her crayon correctly and was even able to color in really small spaces. YAY, that was encouraging. They also say she is speaking some Kazakh words now.
We left that night with many emotions...it is a little heart breaking knowing how confused she must be but we know that time will heal and bring us back to the place we were before we left nearly 6 months ago. She cried when we left which was a good sign but again, heartbreaking to leave her before we establish a routine. She is probably wondering if we are going to disappear again. NOPE, never again!!!
The nurses at the hospital were very kind to us and said that I could spend the night with her if I wanted to. I decided that I needed a good night sleep and time to wind down with James but I'll be spending the night with her tonight. We will drive back to the orphanage with her on Monday in Iliya's car...another first for the three of us...driving in a car!
We will post some pictures tomorrow and I will report on the adventure of sleeping overnight at this children's hospital with Ava.
Thanks for the prayers and love. We're feeling it :-)
xoxoxo,
Kari and James