The Room

As promised, I took some pictures of the room. It's not complete, but coming along nicely. The twin bed is for us to switch out sleeping in the room until Alina is comfortable. She's used to being in the room with many other children so it's going to be quit an adjustment for her. Let me know what you think :)

Cute, cute, cute!

I saw on some comments someone wanted to know which Peace Travel apartment we're staying at. It's called the Ambassador's residence. Also, what did I get in the shower today?



Well today was the first baby shower that I'm having. I made my mother-in-law (MeMaw) come with me so we had grandmother representation. I had another one of those reality hits when someone hands you a bag and it's got cute pink dresses and onesie's in it. I've been trying to put the room together to at least make it look like we have something done for court. Two of my friends gave me the rug I registered for and the ladybug lamp. I had only seen them online and they fit the room SOO perfectly. Once I get everythign sorted out I'll post some pictures of the room.

I got two of the sweetest crib blankests. One is a twisting pattern with exactly the colors of the crib sets. The other is the softest blanket with lady bugs and dragonflies. That one is going on the twin bed to tie the room colors together. I found a bedspread that's lavendar on one side and pink on the other. I used the lavender because it tones down the pink a bit.

We got one of the car seats and the high chair from Andy's aunt and uncle a few days ago through Walmart. The highchair is great. We have a VERY small house and it folds up so it doesn't take up so much room when we don't need it. I had registered for a pack and play, but then a friend gave us her old one. So I've taken them off my registry as I'm getting things from outside.




One of my totally favorite things is this humpty dumpty looking lop eared bunny that a friends husband picked out. Totally cute... and so many sweet and soft teddy bears, bunnies, and animals. We're going to be buried under stuffed animals I'm afraid. Who can resist.

I got some more outfits including a few for little bit older ages for her. Got lots of socks, washcloths, and bibs. Can never have too many of any of these things.

Memaw (Midge) gave me a new testament bible with Alina's name embossed on it.

So from a few weeks ago when we had very little...we are now exploding with pink, fuzzy, cutesy, lady buggy...stuff of all kinds. I'm loving it :) Thanks to all.

And they're off...well okay two more weeks to go...

Well...when this stuff hits it comes fast.

I'm sorry I left such good news with no follow-up. I've been busy this week making our plans.

We're leaving on March 7th to fly to Moscow. We arrive on March 8th. We actually have court on March 10th, but they want us there by the 8th so we can have one or two visits with Alina. I'm hoping we have time to visit the day we arrive if we aren't just too zapped for words. I'm willing to push myself a little in order to go see her.



After much debate, we've decided to stay in Russia for the entire 3 weeks because in the end it actually saves us money. I got a really good deal on the Holiday Inn (thank you Priceline.com) for the two weeks and then we will switch to a Peace Travel apartment for the final week when we have Alina. It's only one large room but it has a kitchen, bath, phone, washing machine, and space for a crib. Also, it's only a few blocks from the U.S. embassy so we can almost walk there for what we need.

Once we have court on the 10th then we start a 10 day waiting period on the 11th. Good news we did find out is that Saturdays count. So depending on the space issues with the baby house, we will either get Alina permanently on March 21st or March 23rd. They don't do check-outs on Sundays, but ocassionally they do on Saturdays. I'm so pumped about that.

The baby room is coming along slowly because we're doing it in our spare time. I've got to finish clearing out stuff not baby related and need to clean the room thoroughly before I go.

Well...I will be writing more later. I have a baby shower tommorrow and I'm so excited... Love to all.

Got a date!!

Well, we got awesome news today. We're headed back to Russia on March 7th. We have court on March 10th.

Now I just have to get all the paperwork ready and finish with the room and etc.

Love to all.

Waiting,but for what??

Well, I heard some interesting news on Thursday. Our agency rep in Moscow is going to court on Monday to see about a date for us. Several people that I have spoken to have said when that happens, we may have as little as a week (oh my goodness) or 2-3 weeks. So I'm hanging on a fish hook waiting. I'm going to go back to biting my nails again with this kind of thing.

We've been distracted this week because my Dad had back surgery. But he's doing great and we're visiting them this weekend to help out. He's moving slowly, but he's moving. Got to wait for the incision to heal up more. Poor guy has to sit in straight back chairs for 3 weeks (he loves his recliner). I really feel for his dog Sam. Sam is confused why Dad can't pick him up and why he can't sit in the recliner with Dad. Ah...the life and worries of a dog.

Our poor dog was dropped into jail this weekend. We will hopefully rescue her Monday and promptly trot her over to the dog groomer becuase she will be stinky. Our dog is a bit of hair ball. She's 1/2 Spitz so her hair is really long when it's grown out. So I want her cut very close so I don't have to worry about her for a little while. She's a sweetheart though. Andy keeps teasing that the dog has no idea how her little world is going to get turned upside down when Alina comes home. She's not walking yet, but will be soon... Our cat has a better idea...when things are uncertain. Go hide under the bed.

I was worried that I might not be ready for parent. I think all first time parents have this worry/concern. But I have this extraordinary growth of love and joy at the idea of her. I'm ready to make all the adjustments I need to give this dear little girl a home and my heart. In a way, the hours away from her are just like a pregnancy in that you have something growing inside of you. That is the love I'm feeling. She is already the child of my heart.

The joy and excitement expressed by friends and family have been so uplifting. Also, I have felt much closer to God ever since we went overseas to meet Alina. I truly beleive we're on a path that God intended for us. There have been some major hurdles to overcome and they seemed insurmountable at times, but they have come up roses in the end. We're being attacked right now by things beyond our control, but I still have a clear sight of our goal and I'm pushing through. No matter what it takes or the sacrifices we have to make, it will be worth it. We're walking on faith, so at this point I'm waiting on God to do his thing. When HE moves, it's an amazing amazing thing.

Love to all. I'll post if as soon as I hear something.

Decorations

We picked up our crib this weekend and put everything together. The room is still pretty much a blank slate but some asked about the crib and colors. So I thought I would post a picture. I love it ... it's so sweet with the ladybugs on it.



I have a daybed in the room and I found a pink/lavender comforter yesterday at Target. So I'm going to start putting everything together. Got to get it looking like a complete room so I can take pictures for court. Still waiting, but hoping for early March to get back.

I've already started gathering things to take for Alina and for the orphanage as well.

Much love to all.

Oh so real!

Well it was a busy week this week getting back to work. Andy's been buried under school work and I had lots of paperwork and emails to catch up on. I had to get a lot of paperwork together in order to send it off to be Apostilled. In our state, a state certification of a notary (Apostille) only costs $5.00 per page. For other states I was horrified to hear they charge up to $20.00 per page. That would break the bank, but that's what it takes to get U.S. documents accepted abroad.

I had to get my FBI finger prints and Local Criminal Background check. Apparently Andy and I aren't criminals and have no warrants according to the FBI and the local police department. Had to update some licensing information and a few other peices of paper. So I mailed off my last Apostilling paperwork and the Secretary of State is forwarding it to agency.

Today some of our friends gave us a crib that they had used for their son. We put it into the room and my mother-in-law brought a rocker that had belonged to her father. The room is so tiny that the rocker is almost in the middle of the room...but it's comfortable and necessary. I brought a comforter that has pink flowers with yellow centers and has cute ladybugs all over the place. We're starting to put the room together. It's so exciting. I love how the room is starting to feel and it makes it so real that we're waiting for our little girl.

Week 1 down...hopefully can go soon soon soon.

We've been getting the sweetest calls and emails from family and friends. They are so excited for us. It's been a blessing to know that much love and support is out there. Please keep praying for Alina. It keeps me content knowing that God is looking out for her and she will be safe and waiting for us when we get back.

Back to Work

Well, I'm back at work again. Seems almost like a dream that we even met Alina. But then I look at her picture. Andy has already picked a nickname for her. They are always such attractive ones. She's called 'pussface'...because when she concentrates or is concerned (most of the time) she puckers up. He'll say...where's a picture of Pussface...it's cute because I know he's already so enamoured of her.

Well, from this point we're working on paperwork. I'm delighted that my FBI fingerprints that I mailed off the week before we left came back. Thank you FBI. Very quick.

We also have to update a few other pieces of paper and then get a Local Criminal Background check. They want to thoroughly know you aren't a criminal.

This weekend we're getting a crib from friends and we're going to start working on the room. I deliberately didn't start that process until I knew we had a match because I didn't want this room screaming at me that you are getting a child if we really weren't.

The grandmothers are going nuts. The clothing that is being purchased will probably be in mass quantities (not that we have anything yet so its great), but I think its hysterical that everything seems to be pink. They apparently like pink. My daughter is definately going to be frilly.

Love to all.