Today was an awesome day with Greta! We had a great visit with her. We didn't have any time alone with her yesterday. The pattern has been that we spend the morning visit with the group and the afternoon visit in the play room. The first day it was only the 3 of us for the afternoon visit but yesterday they sent one of the older girls with us. This made getting to know and bond with Greta much more difficult since this girl wanted our (especially Robert's) attention and wanted to "take care" of Greta. This afternoon it was only the 3 of us again. I had to request (insist on?) this, but it's important to me for us to spend time together. I'll post more pictures!

Robert and Greta were fast
buddies! The pictures of our first meeting will come soon. They are on Robert's camera and he is taking a nap. Greta wears him out! She can't get enough of him tossing her, lifting her, spinning her around, etc. She tried to lift him this morning!

She loudly declares "mano mama" and "mano brolis" to anyone who comes near us - that's my mama and my brother. She smiles when I reply with "mano Greta".

We are having so much fun with her. She walks with determination! She seems to like puzzles. The giggling doll I sent is not her favorite toy! Anything with buttons is a hit though. She also likes the small stuffed horse that we brought.

The orphanage is much different than I expected. It is bright and cheerful. Much like our day care centers. She is in a group of 8, all of the others except 1 are boys. There's one that she obviously doesn't like and another that seems to be her best friend. She definitely knows how to express her opinions, regardless of language barriers!

Robert is taking a nap in Prague. The trip continued to go smoothly.

Then arriving in Vilnius, Lithuania. Agnes from the Family Law Center met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. Elona, also from the Family Law Center, came over a little later to go over the paperwork (I really got here with all of the documents I needed!) and the plans for the next few days. We walked to the bank and to the store. It's a little chilly here!

Tuesday...leaving Nashville. My mom helped us get ready and out the door...and to the airport! Lorie met us there. Everything went so smoothly!

I thought I would have posted by now! It seems as though every free moment we are sleeping! It's 1:30 am here and I'm awake, so I thought I'd catch up a little. Pictures will have to come a little later.

We were able to spend several hours with Greta today (yesterday?). She was very timid when meeting us, but I expected that. She would have gone straight to Robert if the Directress had not sent her to me. I tried not to rush her. I hope the Directress didn't take that as me not being excited. I had taken a small stuffed horse to give her. I think that was a good distraction for her. She sat in my lap and looked down at the horse, then I'd notice that she was looking at me out of the corners of her eyes. When I noticed, she smiled.

She has every bit of the personality that her picture indicates! She smiles a lot. I love watching her play with Robert. She's good at pushing him around already!

When we were getting ready to leave, she thought she was going with us and started putting on her snowsuit. I wanted her to come with us too! She handled it well when the caregivers explained to her that she wasn't going yet.

I'm going to check e-mails and try to go back to sleep. We'll post pictures before leaving for the orphanage.

It's 13 degrees in Klaipeda right now . And it's about 3 pm there. Somehow I don't think I'll be letting the cold weather bother me too much!
Today is the last business day before I leave. 4 days to go! So many things to remember!

A week from today I finally meet Greta!