Eta Mama, Eta Papa

Exactly five years ago, we were in Ukraine, three weeks into our five-week adventure for Masha’s adoption. For the next few weeks, I’m posting excerpts and a photo or two from each day. Sometimes funny, and sometimes proof of how naive we were, I hope you’ll enjoy our little trip down memory lane…

Friday, 8 June, 2007 – Eta Mama, Eta Papa

As I’ve mentioned before, our time with the girls is getting a pretty routine. [At the park] they checked out a teeter totter and a slide you could fry an egg on before settling on a row of four swings. As they flew higher and higher, we heard them start singing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” in English! Lisa and I ran over and sang with them, launching into the Russian version that we learned in class. We all sang childhood songs as the girls glided back and forth on the swings, with Mark recording clips on the digital camera. The girls are really starting to open up around us.

When we arrived at the café, the girls scarfed down their ice cream and asked for more food. Lisa had sandwiches leftover from lunch for Amina and Khrystyna, and I had an apple and some chips for Masha, and then Masha grabbed the camera to take pictures of the large fishtank in the café. She snapped a few photos, then switched to video.

Later in the evening, as we transferred the contents of the camera to the laptop and watched it all, tears of joy and laughter filled our eyes. The video clip begins with Masha introducing herself, and then walking through the café and out the doors. We giggled as she showed the car, announcing in a funny sing-song voice “Eta mya machine,” or “This is my car” and then the same for Amina and Khrystyna’s car. Then she turns toward of the café, where I’m coming out the door. “Eta Mama” as I lean toward the camera with a kissy-face. She then proceeds back inside and introduces “Papa.”

This is so special to us because, as I reported a while ago, she had been somewhat hesitating to call us “mama” and “papa.” The last couple of days, we’ve heard a couple more “ma” and “pa” from her…we’re joking that we’re Ma and Pa Kettle! We just think it’s a big step for her to see us as a natural part of her commentary!

What did it feel like the first time you heard “mama” or “dada” and knew that the little one meant you?  Leave a comment…