We are now Baba and Deyda

Those are Hannah’s names for us.  Grandma and Grandpa in Russian is Babushka and Dedushka.  Hannah lived the first year and a half of her life in Russia.  She immediately started calling us Baba and Deyda. We are honored.

We met Mila and Hannah for the first time yesterday.  Hannah held us so tight, and she wouldn’t let go…we loved it! 

Over two weeks ago, Owen and Mila started off on a road trip with little Hannah in their 17’ travel trailer.   They left Spokane, Washington, in the dead of winter and headed south through Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.  

Mila, Owen’s wife, is from Russia, and he has been showing her and Hannah this magnificent country that is now their home.  And he has taken his bride and their child to meet her new family.  They are now headed back home to Washington.  But first they swung west to meet Baba and Deyda in Arizona. 

We had an endlessly wonderful day together.  It was like a dream come true.

Dan says that the reason to have a child is so you can have a little playmate.  I will add to that—and then years later your child will have a baby, and you’ll have another little playmate.  

Hannah is a GREAT little playmate.  She is observant and curious and finds everything interesting and fun. She joins right in with the conversation using a mixture of Russian, English, and Hannah-speak.  

She tried to jump in the pond with the ducks and geese, while quacking at them the whole time.

We never realized that we should stop and play on the railings….now we know.

A particular delight for her (and all of us) was feeding the giant Koi!

Deyda showed her how to throw the fish food far out into the pond.

Hannah was mesmerized by the swan.  She needed to sit down and watch it.  And the swan watched Hannah.  After a bit, we were all amazed to see the swan furl it’s giant wings, catch the wind, and sail downwind across the pond.  The most unique and beautiful “sailboat “ we had ever seen.

It pays to be a child again and stop and look.

  

Hannah wanted to ride a horse, so she rode on Baba’s shoulders.  We trotted and cantered home.

She turns two in a month, so of course, we celebrated her birthday, and spoiled her with a lot of gifts!

Her new kitty robe—she insisted on wearing her “dress” the rest of the day. 

She was thrilled that we gave her baby a bunny sleeper.  It is her favorite doll, and she won’t sleep without it.  Talk about rewarding—this is the doll that we gave her for Christmas.

Now she is in Papa’s lap modeling her first swimsuit….or maybe just cuddling with Papa.

Dan spread his collection of  1950’s Dolly Toy wall decorations on our patio.  Mila and Owen chose several for Hannah and her (hopefully soon) brothers and sisters.

Hannah said her prayers before dinner.

Then she helped Baba light her two birthday candles.

She needed no help eating her birthday cake!

Hannah took Deyda’s hand and led him around.  She showed him our yard, the neighbor’s yard, the road in front of our home…

In fact, Deyda had a little playmate for the rest of the day.  Then it was time to pick lemons and oranges.

Her bag of fruit was almost too big, but she is a strong and determined little girl and carried her own lemons and oranges!

She really liked Deyda’s model cars.  Hannah roared “rmmm rmmmm” as she patted the glass and looked into the display cases.  And then on a low windowsill, she discovered our vintage Avon bottle glass camper and truck…..

Sadly, all too soon the sun began to set, and it was time to say goodbye.  

There were hugs and kisses for everyone….

Saying goodby was painful, but was also so very sweet. 

 

Hannah didn't just let Deyda pick her up and hug her, but she grabbed him and hugged him. 

 

Look at that hug….Hannah could not let go, and neither could Baba.

As they drove away, we could see Hannah waving goodby to us out the back window until they were out of sight.  

This was a day filled with loving, sweet memories that we will remember forever—the day that we first got to see and hug our dear new daughter, Mila, and our precious granddaughter, Hannah.  Thank you Owen for bringing them into our lives.