Day ;two of visits

Well, day two of our visits, our first "regular" visits day.

We got up and out of our apartment, and decided to cab it the first day to the orphanage on our own. It took us about 40 minutes by cab. It is not that the orphanage is that far, it is probably about 2-3 miles. The traffic is just that heavy!

We checked in through the security at the orphanage, leaving our passports with them as required. Then up to find Jasmina to let her know we were there. She updated us a little on some pending things, and took us to pick up Milos. He recognized us and was less aggressive with us today. We did notice that everytime someone from the orphanage came around, he would strike out at us. Since he does not talk, this is his only method of communication.

We had a nice morning visiting, and took him back in time for lunch. We stayed for a few minutes, wanting to observe him eating. First up were cups of chicken noodle soup...heavy on the soup part. He did not want his, but started crying immediately. They served his lunch, which he immediately started eating. When we asked if he cried for every meal, they explained that he didn't want his soup, but didn't want to wait for the rest of his meal. I did notice another child start to cry and was immediatly fed.  There are a few other instances of this institutional behavior we've noticed, and have seen others displaying the same behavior.  In other words, other than  not speaking, he doesn't seem too different than his role models!

For our lunch, we walked to St. Sava's Cathedral, then to a doner kebap place close by. The Doners were beef, in a tortilla, and delicious! We walked back to the orphanage, picking up a banana for Milos on the way. (We had asked this morning if we might bring him a snack. WHen they hear "snack" they think chips type of food. I was thinking a banana or other fruit. They approved the banana. 

We got him from his group after nap, and they were just sitting down to a "snack". They had bread, some with jam on it, but for Milos and others with difficulty chewing, theirs was soaked in some liquid. Someone told me it was a chocolate cream...but it was neither brown nor creamy. Looked kind of like the chicken soup base!  At any rate, he loved it. They allowed me to help him with this. and he readily accepted it. I noticed he sucks everything, and chews NOTHING. It is like he is still sucking on a bottle, but they don't give him a bottle. We returned to our little room, where I produced a banana and Milos was all for that! He readily took the bites I provided him, but again, didn't chew anything. When I gave him an actualy small bite sized piece, he swallowed it whole and then made a pain face. From then on, I just smashed little bits in my fingers to give him. Tomorrow, I will bring a small bowl and a spoon with me to feed him his banana. He was VERY sad when the entire banana was gone! But I didn't want to over feed him.

We went outside for a while, but he did  not want to be on any of the playground equipment, so I just ended up carrying him around. Everytime I put him down, he asked to be picked up again. Good  thing he only weighs 30 lbs!

Back inside and we walked the hallways. (I walked, he was carried!) He is busy building his bond to us, and that's ok.

We took the trolley tram back to our apartment, and are settling in. We are both tired...the days are long, but very fruitful.

No idea yet when this will be completed. But things are going well.

Till later.....
Mary