Back in Kiev

Hello All

Well as I write this we are back in our apartment in Kiev.  The same one we landed in when we first arrived.  Feels like we've made the full circle.  We packed up in Kryvyi Rih Friday night and boarded the overnight train to Kiev at 9:20 PM.  Kody and I went for a walk just before dark (he really likes to ride in the baby carrier) while Steph packed up and I wandered down and looked at the orphanage one last time.   It seemed strange...almost eerie.  Such a part of his life and now ours for the last 4 weeks and now we leave and may never come back. Kryvyi Rih will always have a place in my memory.  It is such a prime example of this deeply flawed country that is struggling to find its place in the 21st century while held back so much by ex soviet mind set.  The smart phones, old buses, the BMWs, the shiny new malls and McDonalds, the trash everywhere, the hundreds and hundreds of dumpy soviet era apartment buildings,  the strict attention to picking up all the leaves.  These people are trying their best but there is so much holding them back.  This train seemed rougher than normal.  Lots of jerks like someone was jumping on the brakes and back on the throttle.  There is a emergency brake lever in every car and I think somebody was providing their own entertainment.  PJ and I took the top bunks while Steph and Kody took the bottom.  Kody slept till around 5 so that was a real blessing.  We got to Kiev at 5:40 and our driver picked us up at 6ish.  Back to the apartment and we all slept for a while then to McDonalds for PJs lunch and a sidewalk stand for me and Steph for sharma.  Kody got a lot worse this afternoon.  He basically had to be carried around all the time. He won't eat or drink any amount.  I think his teething together with adjustments is about to push him over the edge.  I finally called the American Clinic here in Kiev and they were nice enough to call their pediatrician and patch me through (this was at 6pm on saturday).  She told me everything sounded normal and what kind of pain meds to get at the pharmacy.  I ran down and found a pharmacy with a pharmacist that actually spoke english! Got the meds and gave them to Kody and he went to sleep soon after and has slept every since.  Hopefully it helps.  He liked this stuff and what we were trying to give him that we brought from home he always tried to spit out...  Steph and PJ both went to bed early with aches, chills and sore throats so I'm not sure what I'm in for.  May be a long night between the three of them.  Now for the really good news.  We will be done here Monday or Tuesday so I had Corwin change our tickets to wednesday of next week.  I haven't got the confirmation yet but I think he got it done so we are on the countdown!  Keep us in your prayers.  Especially for Steph and PJ to feel better and Kody's adjustment and teething pain.

Bill