Day #2

This morning at the clinic we mostly took turns moving between our assigned groups and the children in isolation rooms. Somehow out of 11 possible non-mobiles, we only ended up with four in the playroom, so there were lots of children to visit in their beds. The children with runny noses were able to get out of their cribs and play on a blanket for a while in the morning. Jane was also able to find out that Ionela will be at the clinic until December 2nd, when she will then go home.

We split into two shifts for tonight: one from 5 until dinner, and one after dinner until 8. We were both on the first shift. The mobiles were still with the preschool teacher, so we mostly spent time with the babies and children in isolation. Though at the beginning I walked around with Alex for a bit, and she seemed much happier than she had been in the morning. I fed the new baby Andreea her bottle, and helped Marius and Gabriela with theirs. Then I put the twins in a crib together to hang out, and took Gaby and Marius out to play in the walkers. We were able to take some of the children with colds into one side of the hallway (away from the others), so they were happy to walk/crawl/scoot around outside their room. Then it was back to the hotel for dinner before the second group went over to the clinic.

Day #2 Photos

Day #1

This morning after breakfast we had the first part of our orientation: introductions, goal setting, desirable team attributes, and lunch. After that we had a chance to go to the clinic for about an hour. I played mostly with the non-mobiles and isolation babies. I started by getting out Roxana (a new 5 month old twin) and giving her a bottle in the playroom. Then I had a chance to play with Roxana, Petre, Daniela, and Gabriela while the rest of the group was with the mobiles or isolation kids. Right now they are isolating any children with runny noses in a bedroom, so Andrei, Cristi, and Alina were confined to a room together (with Andreea and Ion probably joining them soon). I did take Alina out of her crib and let her walk on the floor for a few minutes, and her balance has gotten great! In the normal isolation room were Ema and Ionutz, who I spent some time with towards the end. Ionutz is funny, he just laughs at everything (though he also has multiple medical problems). Ema was looking the same as the past times I've seen her, so hopefully she is feeling better after her hospital stay a few weeks ago. All the babies were pretty happy and giggly today, except Paula who was particularly unhappy. Before dinner we had the rest of our orientation and language lessons, and after dinner we did our work assignments. We will both be mainly with the non-mobiles, but also taking turns with the mobiles, and rotating through the isolation rooms. At this point the mobile group consists of: Ionella, Mihaela, Lea-Celine, Ion, Andreea, Alexandra, Alina, and Cristi. The non-mobiles are: Gabriela, Petre, Daniela, Ema, Marius, Andreea, Roxanna, Ionutz, Andrei, Paula, and Maria. The kids are split into a non-mobile and mobile group, through at this point there is a third group of children as about six are either in the normal isolation room or in the new isolated bedroom for children with colds.

Day #1 Pictures

Ionutz

Andrei

Alina

Daniela

Petre

Daniela

Roxanna and Petre

We Made It!

Our travels through Air France and Paris airport were not the most pleasant, but we made it! We actually decided that the bus to Tutova was the best part of the day, and that's saying a lot for people who get carsick! Our team has six women, and one guy (who is also taking time off before college). Tomorrow we will be doing orientation, and also visiting the kids!

Changes

We will be leaving for Romania Friday, getting there Saturday, and hopefully seeing the kids Sunday! There has been a lot of movement since last time I was in Tutova. Last spring after I left, Ioana (who was there during our second trip as well) went into foster care. Sammy, Maiastra, Andreea, and Ana-Maria (who were all there the first time my mom and I went to Tutova in March 2008) have left the clinic this fall. Maiastra and Ana-Maria went to a different in facility in Barlad, while Sammy and Andreea went home to their families! Last month Ionela had her cleft palate surgery, and earlier in the fall Alexandra went home for a while, but was brought back to the clinic by her family.

Ioana (born in January '08)

Alexandra (born in August '02)

Maiastra (born in May '04)

Ionela (born in April '07)

Andreea (born in November '05)

Sammy (born in July '05)

Ana Maria (born in January '02)

November 7th Trip!

I am now planning on going back to Tutova for on November 7th!