Tiny Twin Departure

Having a private goodbye conversation. They also sucked on each others' fingers.

Departure outfits. These outfits also came with double layer fleece hats and jackets (also with vests); the bows were my touch. Then to leave they added two bed sized blankets each to swaddle them, then tied each with a ribbon.

Days #56 and #57

Yesterday was my second birthday in a row that I have celebrated here in Romania. Different, of course, from Tutova, but we had a nice day. After lunch we celebrated and had cake with the aides/nurses on the third floor, then took the rest of the cake to the first floor for the staff there. They all enjoyed the treat, and were wishing me a happy birthday from the first time I saw them in the morning. Unfortunately I have a cold, so I skipped going out to dinner with part of the team and a few local friends, but did get to spend the full day at the hospital.

The only big news I can remember from yesterday is that the tiny twins, Gabriela and Ana Maria, went into foster care. Their birth sister, a teenager, came and helped bathe them and dress them in cute matching outfits from their family. The girls will be placed in separate foster homes, but the plan is for them to go back to their birth family after one year. After they left, Adrian (who we call Harry) and Denisa moved in with Delia.

Adrian's last name is one that sounds very British, so we thought the name Harry was more fitting for him (not to mention his exceptionally hairy head!). Today we were introduced to another new little baby, Ionut, who is about one week old. He has been there a couple days already, but we weren't sure if he had someone with him or not, so we hadn't visited him. Now we know he is alone, but he is not allowed in with our other babies as he may have some sort of pink eye or something (they are running tests, though his eyes look normal to us).

This morning Cristi's parents came to visit, and stayed for multiple hours, including a visit to a doctor at another hospital. They say they are building a room for Cristi at their home, but we will see what happens! They seemed nice, and Cristi was happy playing with them. Supposedly CPS is evaluating their situation, as well as Paula's family, to see if they can go home. Paula also went to visit the other doctor, we think an endocrinologist, and two aides went with her.

Ana Maria will continue to stay at the hospital for now as she is quite sick (on IV antibiotics), and is apparently in need of heart surgery. She did enjoy watching part of the wedding today though! Ana and Nicoletta are cousins we found out, and both have heart problems. We heard today that Nicoletta is actually having heart surgery in Cluj, despite other rumors we had heard. No word on Cleo or if she has had surgery yet.

Raul's parents also visited today to visit with us and ask any questions they might have about Raul and his medical visa. They both had some really good questions, mostly about his medical and developmental situation, and seemed to truly care about him. Both got teary when they could see he was in pain after his bottle, and when he got upset when they held him. The dad very sadly asked if he would ever get to know them, and if he would ever be any better off. He was happy, though, to hear that there are many kids with EB around the world living productive lives. Sadly I don't think anyone had ever even tried to explain the condition to them before. They were happy to hear about how smart he is, and said all their children are quite smart. The dad laughed watching how well he manipulates his toys, and thought it was funny how he kicks his mobile to tilt it.

We have heard we may be having our hospital rooms moved by Monday to one of the ends of the hall, and that there may be some other changes. This could include the return of all, or some, of our CPS kids, but only time will tell...

Day #55

Gabriela after a diaper change

Delia

Ana

Adrian

Friends

Denisa

Raul

Gabriela

Day #54

Yesterday was another day of turmoil for us here in Romania. Ion, Marius, and Alina were outside with a few volunteers when a bus showed up unexpectedly to take them, and Ionut and Nadia, back to the CPS Center. They had only been at the hospital for seven days. I won't go into the details, but this was a move made by one person, and one person only, that was not approved by other important people. Off our brave little ones went to go through a transition once again.

Nicoletta's mom spent the day at the hospital waiting to take Nicoletta to Cluj for more endocrine testing. They will be taking an eleven hour ambulance ride from Barlad today (Wednesday). The mom seemed a little overwhelmed, and she was happy to have our help with Nico during the day. No word on Cleo from Iasi yet.

My mom and I spent the afternoon on the first floor, as there were only three kids upstairs. We had all the infants, and Raul in a room together. We let Raul roll around on one of the beds, and he was so happy. We would take the preemies and lie them in front of them, and he thought they were just hilarious. He was laughing very loudly, and squealing, and having a great time. When the bottles came we fed the preemies first thinking that Raul wouldn't eat (he hasn't eaten much at this hospital), but he fussed the whole time, and was kicking us. When I got to him, he sucked down the whole bottle!! The doctor also talked to my mom about his medical visa and asked how soon we were taking him! She is very much in approval of his medical visa, which is great!

Adrian Florin

New baby today named Adrian Florin. He was born April 8th, so is only about two weeks old. I don't know much about his story, but he has a soft, fluid filled feeling, lump on the back/side of his head. He has a very full head of hair, and is awake and alert much of the time.

Day #53

Saturday brought the arrival of my mom, and the start of the Easter celebrations here in Romania. Unfortunately we were both exhausted, my mom wasn't able to sleep on the flights, so we had to skip the evening at Mihaela's house. We heard from the others though that they had delicious food, cracked Easter eggs, and walked up to the cemetery with candles from the church with all the locals. We had dinner at the hotel, then slept for fifteen hours! Sunday, after sleeping in, we rested in the hotel, then decided to go out to dinner as there was a party at the hotel. We had pizza at the Alona, and as we were eating David and Pat arrived for pizza as well. The party was for a christening, and it lasted until about four in the morning! Luckily we are on the third floor this time, but it was still quite loud.

This morning at the hospital we brought all the kids in the playroom so the aides could air out their bedrooms. Slowly the kids were let back in their rooms, and we were left with Alina, Cristi, and sometimes Paula in the playroom. The only other patients on the floor Sunday night were four (young) teenagers who had passed out drunk. We decided that Paula'screaming all day might have taught them a lesson! David spent the morning outside with Ion, so things were more peaceful inside. After lunch we all went out to enjoy the nice weather. I brought out Raul, as he was awake. There was a new nurse on his floor, so I don't think she knew who I was, but she let me take him outside, she just told me to "bring him back" haha. We sat outside while everyone else went to a local shop/stand to buy water, then it was time to go back to our kids.

Some of the kids took long naps, so things were slow at first. Then after they ate, Mihaela, my mom and I took Ion, Alina, and Marius outside. We stayed out most of the afternoon playing and walking around, which was tiring, but was nice to get the fresh air! When we went back upstairs we found Nicoletta's mom waiting! She claims to be taking her to Cluj for medical care by way of ambulance to Bucharest, then helicopter?? We aren't sure about that part, but the mom is definitely taking her somewhere, as she had a bag packed and was spending the night at the hospital. I guess we will find out tomorrow!

Paste Fericit/Happy Easter!

Day #49

Poor Delia has a sore on her right "arm", which was causing her a lot of pain today

Denisa and Ana

Gabriela, Denisa, and Ana Maria

Gabriela

Denisa

Ana Maria

Miruna came in to play with us today as we have good toys (including sensory toys), and it gave her foster mom a little break

Raul in his new walker from Pat (without the wheels on)

"Return" of Petre

Today as I was walking down the hall I saw a little boy that I thought I recognized waiting outside the doctor's office. I bent down to say hello, and it was Petre! I asked the woman with him for confirmation, and she said it was him. He didn't look like himself as he was just so sad at first, but luckily he perked up seeing his friends and getting some food. He and Ion were so happy to see each other, and gave each other big kisses! Petre is currently at the emergency placement CPS center in Barlad, and hopefully will get a foster family soon. Things didn't work out at home, but it is not clear if he was taken from the parents, or if they gave him up. Petre has been through a lot in the past couple weeks, and we are so hoping that he will end up in an amazing foster family!

Outside Time

Day #48 Toddlers

My baby girl

Paula loves these new chairs

Alina

Ionut with his curly hairdo

Sleepy Alina

Ion sleeping

Marius

Ionut with tigger

Ionut actually put his arm around tigger

Paula

Princess Alina