Wednesday, Dec. 16

We introduced some new rattles to our baby today, while she continued to experiment with rolling to and fro. We had great fun showing her bubbles, as she reached to pop them after one of us caught them for her in mid air. We love being with her and it’s increasingly hard to say good-bye at the end of the visit. Back at the hotel, we look through the days videos and photos as a way to be with her, and have fun picking out her next day’s outfit.

We were fortunate to get a very personal tour of an amazing Russian Orthodox Cathedral, St. Michael’s, built in the 18th century. We befriended the priest, that graciously talked to us in a combination of Russian/German/English, using his cell phone to translate words for us to understand one another. Hand gestures also came in quite handy. When we asked to take his picture, he took off his hat, and combed his long white hair and equally long white beard. I guess some things are universal.