June 17 Entry
Happy Friday All! What a birthday today!! It started at 3:00 a.m. when Lisa
and I were awaken by the sounds of a person banging on the apartment
exterior doors so loud that you could hear it all the way at the top of the
stairwell where our apartment is. Back home something like that would make
you angry instead of nervous but over here it is a whole different game. My
next wake up call was from my parents who called to sing me happy birthday
(thanks Ma and Dad! You feeling OK today Ma?).
Today's session with Lia was unique. When we got her this morning we could
tell she was not quite as perky or happy as previous days. Regardless the 1st
hour went fine, then all HECK BROKE LOOSE! Something set her off and we
were in the cross hairs of hurricane Lia. She cried, kicked, screamed, and was
inconsolable for 30 minutes before her tantrum tired her out so much that she
fell asleep in Lisa's arm. Luckily Lisa and I agree how we are going to handle a
tantrum like this at home, but those thoughts and beliefs are not useful in a
place where your child, who is surrounded by other children, cant play with
them. A place where your child is surrounded by toys, but can't touch them.
A place where your child wants to sit and play but she is not allowed to touch
the ground with anything other than her feet. A place where you are being
observed and watched by all of the workers and you can't reward, love, and
discipline like you want too. Lisa did a great job of trying to settle her down
with what we have been dealt. Lisa and I had Natasha to ask the care takers if
this tantrum was the result of a medical necessity or just grumpy. We were
advised that this was just a 'Vica' tantrum and they deal with it by ignoring her
and laying her down. Well not an option for a couple of Americans who can't
leave her alone or lie her down while she is in our care. As Lia slept off the
grumpies we could not help but worry about her and desperately wanted to
ease her pain. All of the sudden she slowly woke up and we held our breath.
As she put her fingers to her mouth and we quietly greeted her from her nap,
we saw her smile at us and she began to playfully babble at us. A 30 minute
tantrum (over what we do not know), a 30 minute nap, and BAM she is
making googly eyes at us and is now ready to play again. We took the last
couple of minutes with her on the playground and we ended the visit on a high
note. Man, even on a day where we had a difficult visit she still makes it all
worth while!!!
After our visit with Lia, Lisa arranged Natasha to take us back to the mountains
where we were able to ride the ski lift again (I love that thing man!!). After
the mountains we treated Natasha to lunch and she took us to a great Tartan
restaurant (a Russian restaurant). We had great food and I was treated to a
native beer and shashlik (type of Russian BBQ) and it was WONDERFUL! As
we celebrated my birthday today Natasha got me a Russian honey vodka that
is great. After the mountain and lunch Lisa and I retired for a wonderful night
together and she prepared a birthday feast for dinner (check out the photo)!!
I hope you all have a great Friday and we would like to wish Mr. Nickel and
Kirstin (Nini) a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY AS WELL!!!!
Love, Wil, Lisa, and Lia!!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
the storm. We
spent some time
today walking in
the wilderness
My wonderful
birthday feast
prepared by my
beautiful wife. My
ride on the ski lift
with my beautiful
wife.
