So this is the beginning of the Baby Freeing Process: Flowers, Cakes, and Gifts for the Caregivers, Nurses, Doctors and Director.



After the gifts were sorted out, we headed up to Aitugan's room where Marzhan put Aitugan into her escape outfit - clothes from the outside. It would be the last time upon this changing table.



A quick goodbye to those that remain on the inside.



One last kiss from Marzhan.



And finally, the long awaited Hand-Off.



And of course in the name of equality, I get a turn - to show off her award winning and heart stealing hair.



We head downstairs and pop in for a photo with her Doctors



then head over to Dr. Alma's (Director) office and complete our farewell parade. Next stop - Freedom!



Welcome to the world Dear Aitugan. We love you!



Somehow I think the enormity of the moment overtook our little girl, and for a few moments she was inconsolable.



By the time we got in the van, the tears were in freefall, and the eyes redder than her lips.



Not even Mom could save the day.



WIthin a few minutes, the tantrum had passed and she became once again transfixed by the visuals of a world passing outside the window. By the time we got home, all was right again in the world - okay, our world anyway!

As the bib(and eyes) say, Daddy's Little Girl. We will see how long that lasts.



This is not such a great shot, but does give a feel for our kitchen. Really quite nice. The table has now been transformed into one of her crib walls.



She was in such a hurry to finish her bottle that by the end, she looked as if she had sprung a leak.



Here is a selection of items KJ was able to buy locally for Aitugan.



We knew that Aitugan loved bath time. What we didn't know was how much she would love naked time that follows the bath.



She excitedly climbed all around the room exploring everything and even insisted upon climbing up and through the coffee table (now also a part of her crib).



Once in the table she decided her best mode of travel was to attempt to get to her feet, and remarkably she did.



One last parting shot before it is off to sleep for the night.

It's never too early to start giving back!



Aitugan alsleep with us tonight. Hope you all have a great day.




What a day. It is hard to know where even to begin so I'll begin with right now and work back.

As I sit here at the computer, I've downloaded another 100 or so photos, and have yet to back up what is probably an hour or so of tape. Nanci Griffith is playing, in part for me, and in part for Aitugan who is asleep about 10 feet behind me in a make shift 'crib' fashioned from two upturned tables set in the corner of the living room.

So we arrived at the baby House around 2:30 this afternoon and, after sorting out what gifts were for the caregivers, which were for the doctors, which were for the Director, and which were general donations to the Baby House, were with Aitugan in her room around 3:00. KJ bought an outfit for her to wear on her first day of freedom, and her caregiver took care to make sure we had all of her belongings before we left the room.

Walking out of that room with Aitugan that one last time was a surreal moment, and of course it was met with tears from me. For Aitugan, things had not yet begun to seem unordinary, though she would quickly pick up that this was no ordinary day as rather than going to the playroom as usual, we began what amounted to a long parade through the Baby House, stopping for photos and goodbyes at the various doorways.

After a few last photos in front of the Baby House for posterity, we drove out through the gates, leaving the womb of the Baby House and entering the world. Just like a newborn, the act was met with screaming and crying from our little angel.

It was a scene we had not yet experienced, and the tears that flowed spoke of a blend of confusion, fear, and tiredness. Within minutes, the tears receded and curiosity took its place in her eyes. The remainder of the journey back to our apartment continued with tired but inquisitive eyes.

we arrived here a little after 4pm and after a quick tour and bottle of juice, decided it was time for an overdue first nap together. It took a while, but with KJ on one side of her and I the other, we all found a few minutes rest in bed.

That lasted for roughly 45 minutes and then Aitugan was up again looking around and crawling over, anxious to explore. We got up and took her into the kitchen to feed her for the first time since our third visit day, when inexplicably we were allowed to feed her for both the first and last time until now.

After a jar of apple and a bottle of formula, Aitugan was eager to explore the apartment, and explore she did.

I am tired and finding it difficult to make this interesting, so let's just outline things.

We had a great afternoon. Aitugan has been brilliantly receptive to all that is changing and was quite smiley and playful during our awake time. She starred in several iChat video calls to folks back in the states, ate well, enjoyed a wonderful bath time, and has now been sleeping for a few hours. In fact she just awoke as I heard a noise from her for the first time in nearly two hours.

In a few minutes we will wake her to give her a bottle and put her right back in bed. We have brought our bedding out into the living room and will set up next to her for at least this first night if not until we leave.

The long and short of it is that she is well and free, and happily asleep in the company of her parents. We are all tired and so will sign off until morning. Take Care.