IT IS A GIRL

The day started with a short traffic free ride from the Marriott Grand to the MOE for the Moscow Region. After about 30 minutes of looking at the hole in the floor in the hallway where all families wait, the head of the MOE invited us in. We sat around a round table and she came in and explained that girls were very difficult to find, but she had one and only one. If we declined this child, she would be glad to refer us a boy.

We accepted the referral and headed to Podolsk where the orphanage is located. We met a beautiful little girl who appeared to be very healthy. Our doctor met us there and spent 20 minutes giving her an exam and than reviewed her medical records. In the end he said this was an easy job for him because he did not see any serious problems with this girl. He explained that she is small and a little developmentally behind, but that is normal for children in institutions. He said a few months of good nutrition, love and attention will cure all her problems.

We have not come down out of the clouds yet. We are going to go to visit the next four days and will post more info everyday.

Maria and Jeff