Independent Mom goes shopping SOLO!

It was a great Monday in Kostanai today. The sun was shining brightly, and my new Kazakhstan jacket keeps me cozy and warm, along with a sweet lil girl in a snowsuit strapped in my ergo!

Leeza ate a great lunch today-no messin around, and then we had to gear up in the snowsuit for our walk. She doesn't like that part (the gearing up) but I gave her my watch to play with so that made her happy. We walked for over an hour...she took a power nap for about 25 minutes. We were on our way in, when all the kiddo's in her group were bundled up to come outside. The caregivers asked me to go back out, so I helped them carry out the snowsuited up kids to put them in the strollers. I pretended I had triplets, pushed 2 in the stroller while carrying Leeza in the ergo. LOL It was fun though and they all look so cute bundled up.
However, by the time we went in, we'd been outside over an hour and a half and Leeza was ready to get out and play!




We headed up to the playroom but it was only about 5-10 minutes before a horrific smell emated from my sweet rose of a daughter-so we had to go downstairs to get her diaper changed. She had to sit on the potty because she wasn't "done" so we spent another 45 minutes playing while Leeza finished her "business". By the time she was done, we only had 10 minutes left before milk and cookies and time for "spot" (sleep!). I wished we could have played more, but oh well.......SOON!

After lunch, I went out shopping ALL BY MYSELF! I felt pretty independent! It sounds silly, I guess, but I'm always accompanied by my "dream team", so I haven't really ventured into stores "solo" with my lame Russian skills. However, I did today, and I got some cool shoppin done! I got myself a new purse, and Leeza a sweet lil Kazakh purse (for when she's older), and a cool lil book of Kostanai from the Kazakh souvenir store. I also got her a potty, a sippy cup, some soska's, some nice warm socks, some jammies, and some new toys for the apartment that I thougth she'd like. I also bought 15 soska's (pacifier's) for her group because it seems like they are always short. They give them to the kids when it's time for nap time.
I looked at walkers, but I didn't like the selection so I will check out this other baby store near my house tomorrow.

I got home and was very pleased with my purchases, and Ivan called and asked me what my plans for dinner were. I had eaten some triscuits and cheese, and said I was fine, didn't need dinner. However, he said they were going to pick me up in 5 minutes because they wanted my company. :) They are really nice to me.
We went to this new USSR restaurant below the new Gros that was very good, and also had an english menu. I had a greek salad and a peva. :) I met a sweet Kazakh girl named Aliya who was an immigration police officer. She liked practing her english, so it was fun to talk to her. I loved her because she did not believe I was 42 years old. :)

Tomorrow, we are planning on getting Leeza's passport picture! Tatiana's transmission is going out in her car, it won't go into drive, SO, I hope we can still go. However, she is always resourceful so I imagine she'll get us a ride. Ivan is still picking me up tomorrow with a business asociate of his, in his car, I was all prepared to walk to the baby house (it's only about 4 miles) but I guess that won't be neccessary!

It was a great day-and hopefully all is on track for GOTCHA DAY ON FRIDAY!