Updates on Anna

Last week after we got these new pictures of Anna, I asked our agency if Elena, our coordinator in St. Petersburg (I can say that now..yeah!) could give us an update on Anna's development compared to the last time she was there in May.  When she went in May to get pictures and info for her update on Reece's Rainbow, Anna had just been transferred to an orphanage for preschool age children .  She had aged out of the baby home and was very, very lucky to get to to to this place instead of an institution where most kids with special needs are sent.  So when Elena saw her last, she had just been taken from everything she had ever known, and put in a new place, with all new caregivers and friends.  At this time, Anna was still ahead of other kids with DS for her age, given the amount of early intervention she was given: none.  She was totally potty trained and could run, jump, and eat with the best of them. The only area she was behind on was her speech.  She only spoke her "own language" much like a toddler, although she seemed to understand everything that the caretakers said to her.

So, it's been almost 6 months since this last visit.  And here's what Elena shared about her observations of Anna:

She seems to be doing well. This time she was more active than before: she wanted to have a look at all the toys in the room, but was choosing among colorful ones. Thus, she didn't like 2 big stuffed brown turtles ;). She was more actively climbing on different things in the room, behaved more independently and had opinions on her likes and dislikes.

She loved the mirror! She took a toy kitten in her hands, came up to the mirror and looking at her reflection said the Russian word for "two". Even her caregiver was surprised. Also, during that short meeting besides the words "yes" and "no" she also said "give me", "aunt", "lady", "kitty" and "hair" (in Russian, of course).

Together with her caregiver she showed me a short dance representing how an elderly woman is making a pie.

She got upset when it was time to leave the room full of toys, but immediately calmed down after the caregiver promised her a candy after lunch.


To me she looks about 3-4 years in size.


Regards,
Elena

So cute!  She sounds like my other little ones..loves to play with toys, climb on furniture, and dance (Sadie loved that part.  And the part where she loves looking in the mirror.  She can't wait to do her hair every day. :) )  Sounds like she's used to candy bribes.  We do that occasionally around here. And she's talking!  Putting two words together even!  This tells us that she should pick up on language quickly once she's in a good family environment. 

We were so happy to get these updates yesterday.  She sounds like she's doing great and will really thrive once she gets into a loving family environment. We can't wait to see her blossom!