Tiny Tots

For the past 3 days i have been working with the todders along with Jane and Alaina. Many of these tikes are small for their age groups, but what they lack in size they make up in energy! I am exhausted by the end of the day! I also have been spending some time with one of babies, who is in isolation - Anna Maria.

Upon arrival we are greeted with excitement and hugs. They are already begining to recognize us. Sweet Gabriella comes over to me everyday as soon I arrive. She loves to get a hug with her head on your shoulder. Next we help with breakfast. Then if the weather is nice we head outside. Luckily, Romania has been having unseasonably warm temperatures and we have been able to go outside everyday. Today has been the best weather so far - high 60's. The clinic has several acres of property so there is lots of room to explore - sticks, rocks and hum-hums (dogs) are some of the favorites. Then it's back inside for some more play time in the mobiles playroom. We help with the lunch feeding and while the children take a nap, we head back to the hotel for our lunch and a short break. The food has been excellent - the soups are particularly good. In the afternoon we head back to the clinic to help the preschool teacher, assist in the dinner feeding and then right before the toddlers are set free in the halls to run off some of their energy before bed. It is controled chaos (hopefully) and they love it.

This chubby-cheeked girl is Anna-Maria. She is around 9 months old and is kept in isolation in her room because she has heart issues and a weak immune system. She is extremely alert and loves to be held. I weighed her yesterday and she is about 10 lbs. We are allowed to take her into the hallway, so I try and grab her duing chaos time so she can check out all the action. I have also discovered that when I hold her above my head and swing her gentle sideways (like a bell) she gets a huge smile complete with a crinkled up nose. I try to do it as often as possible

This handsome little guy is Petre.  He is a litte shy and reserved, but once he has warmed up to you, he is all smiles.  He has decided that I am alright (I think the fun game of place the book on your head and laugh as it falls off won him over.) and greets me with those big brown eyes and a big smile.  He has some respiratory problems, although I lately he hasn't had many issues.  Other than that he is developmentally on par for his age group.  He has a facination with rocks and has a talent for finding the small ones that will fit in his mouth.  I trade him for slightly larger ones that are good for tapping on various objects - pipes, buildings, sidewalks, etc - to hear the different sounds.   

Andrea has beauty and brains and uses them both to her advantage.   She will run from the cross the room, jump into your arms to give you a big hug, squeezing you tight, then give you a big smile and try to get you to give her whatever is in your pocket.  She is particulaly fond of cell phones and digital cameras.   She doesn't currently have any health or developmental issues, but was removed from her home when she was 3 months old because it wasn't safe - alcohol problems.  She is very vocal and one of the ring leaders for escaping from the play room.  She takes the toy drum and puts it by the door to stand on so she can reach the handle to open it.  Then races down the hallway and hides in one of the bedrooms. 

More on the some of the other children tomorrow.  The clinic currently hast 18 total.  With about 6-7 staff members on the day shift, 4-5 in the evening and 3 at night.