Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Bye-Bye For Now
Well, we're packing and about to go to bed. So does the computer so there won't be anymore news for a day or so. We're headed home tommorrow.
We went by court today and dropped off our registration paperwork with them to process our adoption request. This was cool because we were able to see the Courthouse. A very imposing and new building. The courtroom where we will be going was actually pretty small and intimate which suprised me. I expected a great big room with a looming judge.
Pretty much about 100 aquare feet with a maximum of about 10 seating areas. You'll face the judge and there's room for a few in the gallery, but that's about it.
Today we passed our physicals...it was easy but lots of sitting and waiting in a Soviet era hospital.
We had a scare with our photos becuase my photo card from the camera yesterday wasn't working, but we figured it out and have about 4 more good photos. The rest were blurry. We bought a camcorder, but we should have bought a newer camera as well. Mine is too slow and tired to work right. We missed smiles because it was too slow to click. Make sure you have a good one, that's for sure.
Well love to all and Dasvedanya (I'm sure I spelled it wrong) to Moscow.
We went by court today and dropped off our registration paperwork with them to process our adoption request. This was cool because we were able to see the Courthouse. A very imposing and new building. The courtroom where we will be going was actually pretty small and intimate which suprised me. I expected a great big room with a looming judge.
Pretty much about 100 aquare feet with a maximum of about 10 seating areas. You'll face the judge and there's room for a few in the gallery, but that's about it.
Today we passed our physicals...it was easy but lots of sitting and waiting in a Soviet era hospital.
We had a scare with our photos becuase my photo card from the camera yesterday wasn't working, but we figured it out and have about 4 more good photos. The rest were blurry. We bought a camcorder, but we should have bought a newer camera as well. Mine is too slow and tired to work right. We missed smiles because it was too slow to click. Make sure you have a good one, that's for sure.
Well love to all and Dasvedanya (I'm sure I spelled it wrong) to Moscow.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Last Day with Alina
Today was a fun, crazy but sad day. We got out and met with our guide to start the day. We went to the agency to leave a few things over from this trip for next trip. Then we went to the Notary agent to legally sign the documents for court formally requesting adoption and removal of Alina from the Russian registry.
Nothing is final with everything until we come back in March sometime for court and they officially declare her our adopted daughter. Then we have a 10 day waiting period, which is true of all Russian court cases no matter what type, and then we can take Alina into our permanent custody. We will have a chance to see her a few times around court time, but they don't really encourage it becuase it disrupts the children because they get visited by strangers and then left again.
I'm hoping that I can stay during the 10 day wait which would allow for possibly one more visit. We have to balance the expense of Moscow which is pretty outrageous with the expenses of flying. Depends upon how much notice we get and when we are coming. That would mean 3 weeks+ time in Moscow. It's unknown right now if Andy can come for the entire period. If things fall good with Spring Break, he would automatically have a week off. He's considering flying home after court and then coming back. If tickets are inexpensive still then I might also, but if not then I would prefer to stay here until all is done.
I was fine until today when we said goodbye to her for the last time this trip. So I'm refocusing on decorating a room, getting furniture, baby clothes, how to fed/slash change diapers, picking a pediatrician, followup with the medical issues through the International Adoption Clinic, etc etc. Those of you who have offered your children for my diaper changing practice, thank you so much...I think!
We enough gloom. I'm so excited about tommorrow...I get to see the court and meet with doctors who will pick apart my medical history and my brain. I love you all and thanks for the wonderful and supportive comments and emails.
Nothing is final with everything until we come back in March sometime for court and they officially declare her our adopted daughter. Then we have a 10 day waiting period, which is true of all Russian court cases no matter what type, and then we can take Alina into our permanent custody. We will have a chance to see her a few times around court time, but they don't really encourage it becuase it disrupts the children because they get visited by strangers and then left again.
I'm hoping that I can stay during the 10 day wait which would allow for possibly one more visit. We have to balance the expense of Moscow which is pretty outrageous with the expenses of flying. Depends upon how much notice we get and when we are coming. That would mean 3 weeks+ time in Moscow. It's unknown right now if Andy can come for the entire period. If things fall good with Spring Break, he would automatically have a week off. He's considering flying home after court and then coming back. If tickets are inexpensive still then I might also, but if not then I would prefer to stay here until all is done.
I was fine until today when we said goodbye to her for the last time this trip. So I'm refocusing on decorating a room, getting furniture, baby clothes, how to fed/slash change diapers, picking a pediatrician, followup with the medical issues through the International Adoption Clinic, etc etc. Those of you who have offered your children for my diaper changing practice, thank you so much...I think!
We enough gloom. I'm so excited about tommorrow...I get to see the court and meet with doctors who will pick apart my medical history and my brain. I love you all and thanks for the wonderful and supportive comments and emails.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
And the Rest of the Story and Today
We had about 2 hours with our daughter yesterday. She was taken up from a nap. Poor baby....she's awakened and then thrust into the arms of a bunch of strangers going oooo...ahhh.. But she handled it like a trooper. Andy already mentioned in his part how she didn't like the Doctor sticking things in her ears and measuring her head. But she only cried when he was doing that and also when we tried to get her to crawl in the opposite direction from where she wanted to head.
Another aspect of this whole story which is amazing and cool is about the coincidences which have occurred. Andy and I were referred originally with another couple back in November and told we were traveling in December. Well due to audits in Moscow Region, that did not happen for us. But after Christmas we received our dates. So did Greg and Mary from Tenneesee.
They met their little boy Daniel on Monday. They are at the same orphanage. We got our second referral on Tuesday. Our guide stuck her head into the room and said hello to them. It didn't dawn on them until about 15 minutes later when we walked into the play room with Alina. So we're sharing an apartment, eating dinner together, going to the same orphanage. It's kind of scary...I'm sure they think we are stalkers.
Just kidding. They are lovely people and it has been wonderful sharing the experience with another family that can appreciate the ups and downs with this process.
Our guide showed us a restaurant at Red Square called "Red Square" which is located inside the Russian Historical Musuem. We wanted to go someplace special to celebrate. We had the most amazing Chicken Kiev and Beef Stroganoff. It's was a little pricey, but it was special. Afterwards we walked out to the Square and listened to the bells go off one of the Churches. There's also an Ice Skating rink where we watched the skaters and then walked over the St. Basils. Its the first touristy thing we'd been able to do this week.
Today, we left the house at 9:30 and we arrived at the orphanage about 12:30. The drive from Moscow the baby house is located took about 2 hours. We got stuck in traffic round the government Duma which is just around the corner. This is the equivalent to the Congress in Washington. Lots of big wigs.
When we got out of the car we got a fresh powdering of snow on the grounds. The playgrounds are covered in about 2 feet of snow. We actually haven't had a lot of problems with the cold because we've dressed properly and it's been mostly in the 30's. It's supposed to go into the negatives Saturday night, but we will already be gone when it does.
Alina was again coming up from a nap, so she was sleepy and hadn't wanted to eat. So they brought me her bottle with a fruit juice concoction that they give to them. She settled down into my lap and drank it down. She was staring and me and Andy with wariness, but after a few minutes she settled down.
She's got a very serious demeanor until you turn on the musical toys and stand her up. Then she starts to boogie and crow. It's the cutest thing (any I'm not just saying that because she's mine).
Andy was so sweet with her. She's trying to walk but she's still doing things on her tip toes so he held her hands and walked with her. She was so proud of herself.
We forgot to take a musical toy we had with us yesterday and we played it. She sang along with the music.
I could gush more, but I'll stop.
Tommorrow is the day we go to the Notary in order to sign our registration with the courts and turn them in. On Friday we do our medical exams. Our last major legal transaction before leaving the country.
Another aspect of this whole story which is amazing and cool is about the coincidences which have occurred. Andy and I were referred originally with another couple back in November and told we were traveling in December. Well due to audits in Moscow Region, that did not happen for us. But after Christmas we received our dates. So did Greg and Mary from Tenneesee.
They met their little boy Daniel on Monday. They are at the same orphanage. We got our second referral on Tuesday. Our guide stuck her head into the room and said hello to them. It didn't dawn on them until about 15 minutes later when we walked into the play room with Alina. So we're sharing an apartment, eating dinner together, going to the same orphanage. It's kind of scary...I'm sure they think we are stalkers.
Just kidding. They are lovely people and it has been wonderful sharing the experience with another family that can appreciate the ups and downs with this process.
Our guide showed us a restaurant at Red Square called "Red Square" which is located inside the Russian Historical Musuem. We wanted to go someplace special to celebrate. We had the most amazing Chicken Kiev and Beef Stroganoff. It's was a little pricey, but it was special. Afterwards we walked out to the Square and listened to the bells go off one of the Churches. There's also an Ice Skating rink where we watched the skaters and then walked over the St. Basils. Its the first touristy thing we'd been able to do this week.
Today, we left the house at 9:30 and we arrived at the orphanage about 12:30. The drive from Moscow the baby house is located took about 2 hours. We got stuck in traffic round the government Duma which is just around the corner. This is the equivalent to the Congress in Washington. Lots of big wigs.
When we got out of the car we got a fresh powdering of snow on the grounds. The playgrounds are covered in about 2 feet of snow. We actually haven't had a lot of problems with the cold because we've dressed properly and it's been mostly in the 30's. It's supposed to go into the negatives Saturday night, but we will already be gone when it does.
Alina was again coming up from a nap, so she was sleepy and hadn't wanted to eat. So they brought me her bottle with a fruit juice concoction that they give to them. She settled down into my lap and drank it down. She was staring and me and Andy with wariness, but after a few minutes she settled down.
She's got a very serious demeanor until you turn on the musical toys and stand her up. Then she starts to boogie and crow. It's the cutest thing (any I'm not just saying that because she's mine).
Andy was so sweet with her. She's trying to walk but she's still doing things on her tip toes so he held her hands and walked with her. She was so proud of herself.
We forgot to take a musical toy we had with us yesterday and we played it. She sang along with the music.
I could gush more, but I'll stop.
Tommorrow is the day we go to the Notary in order to sign our registration with the courts and turn them in. On Friday we do our medical exams. Our last major legal transaction before leaving the country.
My 3 Ruble's worth
My 3 Ruble's worth (about .09 USD)
Alina is a very serious child who will accept no nonsense. She was particularly unimpressed when the doctor used a tape measure to measure her head and used that light thingy to check her ears. She felt that this was a ridiculous waste of her valuable time and let us know. On the other hand she thought that the stethescope? was quite interesting, and tasty. Giggled when it was used and tried to claim it as a toy.
As for her other toys she particularly liked the colored shapes and elephant head. I'm not quite sure what that means yet. Interestingly she has also begun to assess all of her toys by chewing on them. I think that this is the mark of a great scientist since any fool can assess them using their hands, eyes, etc. Only great scientists take that extra step of discovery.
Russian drivers are worth every penny. Try to imagine the worse rush hour in the history of the world. There is congestion and pollution and people speaking gibberish in your back seat. Now immagine an ice storm which has made all of the roads terribly slick. He hasn't hit anything yet. Or uttered a discernable epitat. Amazing. I have and I'm in the backseat.
Today we're going to 3 ministries and 3 government offices and one baby house and a Russian version of Wal-Mart.
By the way the Russian ministry of education sits right across the street from a school. Aren't you 100% positive that in the bad old days bad teachers at this school were sent to Siberia? Makes you appreciate those AEA benefits doesn't it?
Alina is a very serious child who will accept no nonsense. She was particularly unimpressed when the doctor used a tape measure to measure her head and used that light thingy to check her ears. She felt that this was a ridiculous waste of her valuable time and let us know. On the other hand she thought that the stethescope? was quite interesting, and tasty. Giggled when it was used and tried to claim it as a toy.
As for her other toys she particularly liked the colored shapes and elephant head. I'm not quite sure what that means yet. Interestingly she has also begun to assess all of her toys by chewing on them. I think that this is the mark of a great scientist since any fool can assess them using their hands, eyes, etc. Only great scientists take that extra step of discovery.
Russian drivers are worth every penny. Try to imagine the worse rush hour in the history of the world. There is congestion and pollution and people speaking gibberish in your back seat. Now immagine an ice storm which has made all of the roads terribly slick. He hasn't hit anything yet. Or uttered a discernable epitat. Amazing. I have and I'm in the backseat.
Today we're going to 3 ministries and 3 government offices and one baby house and a Russian version of Wal-Mart.
By the way the Russian ministry of education sits right across the street from a school. Aren't you 100% positive that in the bad old days bad teachers at this school were sent to Siberia? Makes you appreciate those AEA benefits doesn't it?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
More to the story
Hello Family/Friends. We thank you all for your best wishes and we honestly couldn't be happier. Andy is actually going to get on here a little later and do his own blogging so I'm just going to tell a bit more from my side.
Monday we went the the CSS office here in Moscow to meet the Moscow represenative for the first time. She is very loving lady and no nonsense. I love all of the staff in Moscow is just as awesome as what we've been working with stateside. We were told to make sure that we don't "get upset", over react, and don't pay attention to the pictures. Listen to them. Our guide was also fantastic and helped us so much.
For those of you following our blog about to get into the adoption process yourself, the agency told us to get educated about things in international adoption. Reading, going to the International Adoption Clinic Seminar, online workshops, etc. All these things make you have the knowledge you need to make good decisions. Also, we get our own independent medical assessment of the children. We used Dr. M like a lot of CSS families, though I had the Internationl Adoption Clinic as backup if I needed them. The situation with the first child, we knew fairly quickly after being there that it wasn't going to work for us. I won't go into a lot of details for a lot of reasons, but knowing what I knew ahead of time and having a medical assessment from a competent medical professional made all the difference.
Once we met Alina it was also obvious, but we still had her examined as well because you can't jump into a life altering decision without knowing what you are getting into. It's best for the children and yourself.
I know it's hard to make such decisions because i just did it, but when it's the right child you know it. We met with her for about 3 minutes and held her. We were pretty much sold instantly, no matter what.
I can't beleive this WE HAVE A DAUGHTER!! The grandparents of course were all choked up and sniveling over the phone (yes even you Daddy I heard it). We've sent them pictures, but we cannot post anything about her photowise online until she's legally ours in March/April when we come back and have court and then wait out the 10 days.
I'll type somemore tonight, but I have to go get ready and eat some breakfast. Andy's blogging next.
Monday we went the the CSS office here in Moscow to meet the Moscow represenative for the first time. She is very loving lady and no nonsense. I love all of the staff in Moscow is just as awesome as what we've been working with stateside. We were told to make sure that we don't "get upset", over react, and don't pay attention to the pictures. Listen to them. Our guide was also fantastic and helped us so much.
For those of you following our blog about to get into the adoption process yourself, the agency told us to get educated about things in international adoption. Reading, going to the International Adoption Clinic Seminar, online workshops, etc. All these things make you have the knowledge you need to make good decisions. Also, we get our own independent medical assessment of the children. We used Dr. M like a lot of CSS families, though I had the Internationl Adoption Clinic as backup if I needed them. The situation with the first child, we knew fairly quickly after being there that it wasn't going to work for us. I won't go into a lot of details for a lot of reasons, but knowing what I knew ahead of time and having a medical assessment from a competent medical professional made all the difference.
Once we met Alina it was also obvious, but we still had her examined as well because you can't jump into a life altering decision without knowing what you are getting into. It's best for the children and yourself.
I know it's hard to make such decisions because i just did it, but when it's the right child you know it. We met with her for about 3 minutes and held her. We were pretty much sold instantly, no matter what.
I can't beleive this WE HAVE A DAUGHTER!! The grandparents of course were all choked up and sniveling over the phone (yes even you Daddy I heard it). We've sent them pictures, but we cannot post anything about her photowise online until she's legally ours in March/April when we come back and have court and then wait out the 10 days.
I'll type somemore tonight, but I have to go get ready and eat some breakfast. Andy's blogging next.
It's A Girl!
We were blessed with a beautiful little girl today.
Her name is Alina Faye. She's 9 1/2 months old and looks like a little elf. She has black hair and black almond eyes. She's half Russian and has Asian heritage. She is such a serious little girl until you give her kisses and she kisses right back.
After all the emailing on Monday we went to the Ministry of Education, unfortunately the youngster we met had some medical issues that would be beyond our resources to help so we had to decline. We returned the next day to the MOE and received our 2nd referral.
The represenatives in Moscow were such wonderful support during everything.
It is SUPER late and my daughter awaits me in the morning, so I'm keeping this one short.
Love to all.
Her name is Alina Faye. She's 9 1/2 months old and looks like a little elf. She has black hair and black almond eyes. She's half Russian and has Asian heritage. She is such a serious little girl until you give her kisses and she kisses right back.
After all the emailing on Monday we went to the Ministry of Education, unfortunately the youngster we met had some medical issues that would be beyond our resources to help so we had to decline. We returned the next day to the MOE and received our 2nd referral.
The represenatives in Moscow were such wonderful support during everything.
It is SUPER late and my daughter awaits me in the morning, so I'm keeping this one short.
Love to all.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Andy's 2 Rubles Worth
We're waiting for our 9:30 pickup. It's only 8:30. We went back to McDonald's because we wanted something solid. We're not sure that we will be able to stop for lunch. We've packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Andy had a MacMuffin Omlet sandwich and I had Blini a traditional Russian pancake with jam. Yummm...Andy likes Micki D's becuase he can get Coca cola light (Dt. Coke) there.
Andy's two rubles (2 cents) worth of blogging:
When we arrived it was 32 degrees. Our interpreter, Tania said it was a warm spell (??).
The ice is melting off the roof of the apartment building which causes occasional crashing sounds as it breaks away. Aparrently they pay someone to go on the roof and loosen the ice. Hopefully they aren't full of vodka. Ice, heights, liquor, and ice picks...great combination.
We've eaten at McDonalds twice. This is a great Russian invention. I hope we get them back in the states. So far, the food score board is: Thumbs up on Russian Little Debbie Cakes, Chocolate with Cashews, and cheese. Thumbs down on store bought bread, no air holes and mineral water.
We're going to feed our interpreter and driver a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, U.S. raisins, and Russian potatos chips if we can't stop for lunch. If that can't start an international incident nothing will.
Stacye's butchering of the Russian language has not gotten my face slapped yet. It will inevitably happen.
Can't get over that at 8:30 in the morning it is pitch black outside. Moscow is beautiful when viewed from the back seat of a heated car. Pretty red, white, and lime green buildings. Seen many statues of Lenin and Horses. I'm sure to the people riding the horses are more important. But the horses look heroic too.
Apparently, it's a Russian tradition to take off your shoes before going into the apartment. This is because of the fine mud everywhere from slush. Our Russian apartment features shoes lined in the hallway, high ceilings, narrow rooms, toilet separated from the shower (next to the kitchen)...all in Russian chic. The apartment is 6 blocks from the Kremlin and probably housed someone imporant back in the day. Now it houses two Alabamians and two Tennessians for the week. Is this progress or not?
Andy's two rubles (2 cents) worth of blogging:
When we arrived it was 32 degrees. Our interpreter, Tania said it was a warm spell (??).
The ice is melting off the roof of the apartment building which causes occasional crashing sounds as it breaks away. Aparrently they pay someone to go on the roof and loosen the ice. Hopefully they aren't full of vodka. Ice, heights, liquor, and ice picks...great combination.
We've eaten at McDonalds twice. This is a great Russian invention. I hope we get them back in the states. So far, the food score board is: Thumbs up on Russian Little Debbie Cakes, Chocolate with Cashews, and cheese. Thumbs down on store bought bread, no air holes and mineral water.
We're going to feed our interpreter and driver a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, U.S. raisins, and Russian potatos chips if we can't stop for lunch. If that can't start an international incident nothing will.
Stacye's butchering of the Russian language has not gotten my face slapped yet. It will inevitably happen.
Can't get over that at 8:30 in the morning it is pitch black outside. Moscow is beautiful when viewed from the back seat of a heated car. Pretty red, white, and lime green buildings. Seen many statues of Lenin and Horses. I'm sure to the people riding the horses are more important. But the horses look heroic too.
Apparently, it's a Russian tradition to take off your shoes before going into the apartment. This is because of the fine mud everywhere from slush. Our Russian apartment features shoes lined in the hallway, high ceilings, narrow rooms, toilet separated from the shower (next to the kitchen)...all in Russian chic. The apartment is 6 blocks from the Kremlin and probably housed someone imporant back in the day. Now it houses two Alabamians and two Tennessians for the week. Is this progress or not?
Big Day Today! Part 1
Well, as usual I'm up at 4 o'clock in the morning. But today its for different reasons. We traveled a total of twenty or so hours yesterday between going to the Airport, waiting, flying to Atlanta, waiting, flying to Moscow (9 hours), driving into Moscow, waiting to meet the others to get an apartment key. Once we got settled into the apartment, we were starved and I mentioned before we went to McDonalds. It was Sunday in Moscow and we were starving....not too many choices.
After that we went to the PRODUCTI, not spelled like they do...but enough. We took a walk after sitting so long and found a small grocery with all the basics that we needed. I'm pretty proud that my relearned Russian allowed me to read necessary signs and passable to ask where the milk was. Andy, of course, bought some good looking cookies to try out. We have fresh bread, yogurt, and other goodies for Breakfast and bottled water for today.
Our guide is an amazing little pistol. She comes up to about half way up my chest with bright reddish hair. A couple on my Yahoo group shared a pictures of her with me so we spotted her immediately when we came out of the airport. We slide through the passport control and customs with zero problems. The customs guy was so flustered with the crowd and took one look at our 5 bags and just waived us through. Seems he didnt' want to mess with it.
We have a driver who has a nice smaller SUV. He doesn't seem to speak much English but he's very nice. These two will be our leaders throughout this trip to the orphanages and speaking to officials. Very important for us.
The plan today is to get up this morning, eat breakfast, and shower. Our guide is coming to get us at 9:30am so go over to main office here in Moscow. We meet with her about things and then head to the Ministry of Education (MOE) where we meet officials about our referral. This is the big meeting. From there we will head to whatever our orphanage is and finally meet our child! I mean meet our child! Meet our child!! MEET OUR CHILD!! Oh my goodness....sounds so weird...exciting....YIKES!!
I'll just leave you with that becuase it's about time for me to eat breakfast and start to get ready. I want to take a walk outside before the day really hits. I'm going to be sitting a lot again today. It's about 33 again today and overcast. There's been snow but it's only piled about 6 inches and all the sidewalks and roads are clear. As long as the wind isn't too high its not too bad.
After that we went to the PRODUCTI, not spelled like they do...but enough. We took a walk after sitting so long and found a small grocery with all the basics that we needed. I'm pretty proud that my relearned Russian allowed me to read necessary signs and passable to ask where the milk was. Andy, of course, bought some good looking cookies to try out. We have fresh bread, yogurt, and other goodies for Breakfast and bottled water for today.
Our guide is an amazing little pistol. She comes up to about half way up my chest with bright reddish hair. A couple on my Yahoo group shared a pictures of her with me so we spotted her immediately when we came out of the airport. We slide through the passport control and customs with zero problems. The customs guy was so flustered with the crowd and took one look at our 5 bags and just waived us through. Seems he didnt' want to mess with it.
We have a driver who has a nice smaller SUV. He doesn't seem to speak much English but he's very nice. These two will be our leaders throughout this trip to the orphanages and speaking to officials. Very important for us.
The plan today is to get up this morning, eat breakfast, and shower. Our guide is coming to get us at 9:30am so go over to main office here in Moscow. We meet with her about things and then head to the Ministry of Education (MOE) where we meet officials about our referral. This is the big meeting. From there we will head to whatever our orphanage is and finally meet our child! I mean meet our child! Meet our child!! MEET OUR CHILD!! Oh my goodness....sounds so weird...exciting....YIKES!!
I'll just leave you with that becuase it's about time for me to eat breakfast and start to get ready. I want to take a walk outside before the day really hits. I'm going to be sitting a lot again today. It's about 33 again today and overcast. There's been snow but it's only piled about 6 inches and all the sidewalks and roads are clear. As long as the wind isn't too high its not too bad.
Oh so tired, but here!
We arrived in Moscow at 11:00, few minutes early. Took an hour to get to the apartment and we were hungry so went to McDonalds. Just across the street and no fuss. Flight went well if long. Going to leave off now...REALLY tired. Love you all.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Well, It's time to go!
It's finally here. I woke up about 3am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. I read a book for a while and then got up and did my excercises. I've researched on the computer about adoption, pre-adoption medical evaluations, jetlag, airplane exercises, tourism in Moscow, checked my work email, checked everything I can. So I made it to 8am. I just am not one to wait.
I let Andy sleep as long as I could, but he's up and ironing his last two pairs of pants. I'm really proud of him becuase he was 80% packed by last night. Usually it's all done the morning after. He's worked so hard these past two week getting ready for being away from school for a week. He's been home every night after 8pm. But it's done.
I've already showered and getting dressed. My friend Christina is taking us to the airport, so she's coming around 10:30 or so. It's only 5 minutes to the aiport on the weekends, so we'll be there by 11am.
Andy agreed to my packing plan. We have an extra duffle bag as the 4th bag and we're going to dump the extra weight into it if we go over. It worked last time I went abroad. I have to make sure to put luggage tags on everything though because I forgot to get extras. Always something missing.
Our plane will take off from Bham at 1pm to Atlanta. Our Atlanta flight goes at 4:44pm direct to Moscow.
I just read the facebook page of the couple we are staying with. They posted that they arrived safely. It's nice that they are already checked into our apartment so we just have to walk in the door. I'm going to buy a pay-as-you go cell phone when we get ther. Peace Travel (the company we're renting the apartment from) rents cell phones, but I know were going back for such a long period it's more economical to just buy one. They told me the store I can buy one at is about 1/2 block from our apartment so that's great.
Love you all. Please keep us in your prayers for smooth travel. I'll type at you when we get to Moscow.
I let Andy sleep as long as I could, but he's up and ironing his last two pairs of pants. I'm really proud of him becuase he was 80% packed by last night. Usually it's all done the morning after. He's worked so hard these past two week getting ready for being away from school for a week. He's been home every night after 8pm. But it's done.
I've already showered and getting dressed. My friend Christina is taking us to the airport, so she's coming around 10:30 or so. It's only 5 minutes to the aiport on the weekends, so we'll be there by 11am.
Andy agreed to my packing plan. We have an extra duffle bag as the 4th bag and we're going to dump the extra weight into it if we go over. It worked last time I went abroad. I have to make sure to put luggage tags on everything though because I forgot to get extras. Always something missing.
Our plane will take off from Bham at 1pm to Atlanta. Our Atlanta flight goes at 4:44pm direct to Moscow.
I just read the facebook page of the couple we are staying with. They posted that they arrived safely. It's nice that they are already checked into our apartment so we just have to walk in the door. I'm going to buy a pay-as-you go cell phone when we get ther. Peace Travel (the company we're renting the apartment from) rents cell phones, but I know were going back for such a long period it's more economical to just buy one. They told me the store I can buy one at is about 1/2 block from our apartment so that's great.
Love you all. Please keep us in your prayers for smooth travel. I'll type at you when we get to Moscow.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Adjusting Time
Okay, apparently my body is already wanting to adjust to Moscow time. According to my little clock on the blog it's midnight here and 8:59am in Moscow. So I'd be ready to go for the day right now...so I bid you Dobre Den (Good Day).
I went to bed trying to get some sleep and the dumbest thing popped into my head. I have a transformer/power converter for my laptop that I bought when I was going to on a big trip to Europe in 2007 on exchange. I wondered...is the plug the same. Well, I love google. I googled the image "RUSSIAN PLUGS" and it showed pictures of the plugs. They are the same as Europe.
If anyone is going to Russia, the best converter in the world for a U.S. stuff to foreign voltage is at Brookstone ($25.00). Most malls have Brookstone. It weighs about 1.5 lbs and you have to buy little fuses at Radio Shack. But this sucker will work for laptops, hairdryers, fax machines, etc. without anything blowing up. So I'm very proud of myself that I have it, but would have felt an idiot hauling it over and then not being able to actually plug it in.
I've had conversations with two of three Grandmothers today and owe a call to another of the grandmothers. One was laughing at me (my Mom) for worrying and the other is worrying more than me. So she said I don't have to worry anymore because she's worrying enough for the both of us(that's directed at you Midge).
Our child is so fortunate to have so many grandparents living. I hope they stay around a long, long time to see their grandchild grow up. We have my mother, my father, Andy's mother, and my stepmother Judy. I'm going to have to beat them off with a stick I think or this is going to be a VERY spoiled little one.
I'm not as frenetic today as I have been. As a matter of fact, things are dragging a little bit. I'm taking a step back and savoring this anticipation. I want to look back and see how much I was longing for this. This will especially be important when shorty is having a crying fit or I'm changing diapers. I've been trying out nicknames until we know a real name...stealing from others ... we have 'peanut', 'munchkin', little bit, 'yoo hoo', 'kiddo', 'kidarusky'(I kinda like this one)... I'll be able to put a real name to this blog next week I hope.
I've started a journal (you know one you actually write not type) like a letter to my child so he/she can know what we are feeling later on. I'm sincerely hoping to keep this child connected to the Russian heritage, but I've also been writing about what has been going on in our world this year...particularly this week. Whomever you voted for, the spectacle of an inauguration that has so transfixed the world is an amazing thing. This is the beauty of the U.S. that we can be tied to our heritage from several generations ago, or from our own childhood, yet be so proud to be citizens of this great country.
I've always been fascinated by my family's Scottish heritage and so I explored that several years ago and really got a thrill out of it. I know a lot of Russian history from my college days and my time in St. Petersburg. I'm not going to push this knowledge on him/her, but if they want to know it...I've got it.
Well, I think I've done my brain dumping for today. Thanks for reading.
I went to bed trying to get some sleep and the dumbest thing popped into my head. I have a transformer/power converter for my laptop that I bought when I was going to on a big trip to Europe in 2007 on exchange. I wondered...is the plug the same. Well, I love google. I googled the image "RUSSIAN PLUGS" and it showed pictures of the plugs. They are the same as Europe.
If anyone is going to Russia, the best converter in the world for a U.S. stuff to foreign voltage is at Brookstone ($25.00). Most malls have Brookstone. It weighs about 1.5 lbs and you have to buy little fuses at Radio Shack. But this sucker will work for laptops, hairdryers, fax machines, etc. without anything blowing up. So I'm very proud of myself that I have it, but would have felt an idiot hauling it over and then not being able to actually plug it in. I've had conversations with two of three Grandmothers today and owe a call to another of the grandmothers. One was laughing at me (my Mom) for worrying and the other is worrying more than me. So she said I don't have to worry anymore because she's worrying enough for the both of us(that's directed at you Midge).
Our child is so fortunate to have so many grandparents living. I hope they stay around a long, long time to see their grandchild grow up. We have my mother, my father, Andy's mother, and my stepmother Judy. I'm going to have to beat them off with a stick I think or this is going to be a VERY spoiled little one.
I'm not as frenetic today as I have been. As a matter of fact, things are dragging a little bit. I'm taking a step back and savoring this anticipation. I want to look back and see how much I was longing for this. This will especially be important when shorty is having a crying fit or I'm changing diapers. I've been trying out nicknames until we know a real name...stealing from others ... we have 'peanut', 'munchkin', little bit, 'yoo hoo', 'kiddo', 'kidarusky'(I kinda like this one)... I'll be able to put a real name to this blog next week I hope.
I've started a journal (you know one you actually write not type) like a letter to my child so he/she can know what we are feeling later on. I'm sincerely hoping to keep this child connected to the Russian heritage, but I've also been writing about what has been going on in our world this year...particularly this week. Whomever you voted for, the spectacle of an inauguration that has so transfixed the world is an amazing thing. This is the beauty of the U.S. that we can be tied to our heritage from several generations ago, or from our own childhood, yet be so proud to be citizens of this great country.
I've always been fascinated by my family's Scottish heritage and so I explored that several years ago and really got a thrill out of it. I know a lot of Russian history from my college days and my time in St. Petersburg. I'm not going to push this knowledge on him/her, but if they want to know it...I've got it.
Well, I think I've done my brain dumping for today. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Two days to go--Can we stand it?
Well, from the title you know that it's time to go. Now. But I can't. I have to acutally wait for a plane. I've been packed since Saturday and trying to squeeze extras into my luggage.
Andy is making me crazy because he won't pack until tommorrow night. He thinks its important for him to have clothes to wear to work. It has been really cold and he's taking all the same cold stuff to Russia. He says he's been breaking it in. Oh, well.
Things are much better for me today because yesterday we FINALLY got our visas by Fedex. It was such a relief.
Reallly busy at work fortunately, so I don't have to think so much when I'm there. It's when we get home that it's so hard somewhat.
We've arranged for a doctor who is going to meet us when we go to the Orphanage. Many of the other families with CSS have used him and he's very reputable. We've also given him an assessment form provided to us by the International Adoption Clinic. They IAC is one of the few in the southeast and we're so blessed they are in town.
We have to make some tough decisions next week when we receive the referral. We've registered for a child under the age of 18 months with minor medical conditions. What that means is yet to be determined. Because it's a blind referral, we don't know anything in advance and so we're going to have to rely on our doctor, common sense, our hearts, and some strong prayer to know that this is the child for us. We need all the prayer that we can get.
I've loved seeing the comments from everyone so far. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Love to all of you.
Andy is making me crazy because he won't pack until tommorrow night. He thinks its important for him to have clothes to wear to work. It has been really cold and he's taking all the same cold stuff to Russia. He says he's been breaking it in. Oh, well.
Things are much better for me today because yesterday we FINALLY got our visas by Fedex. It was such a relief.
Reallly busy at work fortunately, so I don't have to think so much when I'm there. It's when we get home that it's so hard somewhat.
We've arranged for a doctor who is going to meet us when we go to the Orphanage. Many of the other families with CSS have used him and he's very reputable. We've also given him an assessment form provided to us by the International Adoption Clinic. They IAC is one of the few in the southeast and we're so blessed they are in town.
We have to make some tough decisions next week when we receive the referral. We've registered for a child under the age of 18 months with minor medical conditions. What that means is yet to be determined. Because it's a blind referral, we don't know anything in advance and so we're going to have to rely on our doctor, common sense, our hearts, and some strong prayer to know that this is the child for us. We need all the prayer that we can get.
I've loved seeing the comments from everyone so far. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Love to all of you.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Russia or bust!
Okay, I really wasn't going to start blogging for real until this weekend, but I just can't stand it. I have to vent somewhere.
I feel like a coke can that's been shaken. You pull the tab a little bit and the thing spews all over the place. I have tried talking to friends (sorry to those of you whom I've totured with frequent calling this weekend). I'm a bit hyper about it all. Wouldn't you be?
I have pre-packed everything for the trip that I can think of. This trip I'm taking my clothes, a few childs clothes in preparation for next trip, gifts I've accumulated to give to the orphanage caregivers and people helping us, toys for the pre-adoption evaluation, snacks, medicine (like Imodium), etc. We have to go to Andy's gym to weigh the luggage. In October, Delta changed their weight allowance from 75 lbs to 50 lbs. We get 2 bags each plus a carry on, that sounds like a lot but it's amazing how fast this fills up.
The other thing that's been making me crazy has been the wait on our visas. I sent the documents on January 2nd by Fedex to New York. The Russian consulate received them on January 5th, but then they closed for 3 days for their Christmas/New Year holidays. I was so worried that I faxed the consulate on Saturday. Bless their little souls, they emailed me today saying it was sent FedEx today. They even sent a tracking number. So I should get the passports/visas tommorrow.
Now I have four more days of waiting to go.
My friend Christina is taking us to the airport on Saturday morning so we don't have to worry about transportation. Russia or bust!!
I feel like a coke can that's been shaken. You pull the tab a little bit and the thing spews all over the place. I have tried talking to friends (sorry to those of you whom I've totured with frequent calling this weekend). I'm a bit hyper about it all. Wouldn't you be?
I have pre-packed everything for the trip that I can think of. This trip I'm taking my clothes, a few childs clothes in preparation for next trip, gifts I've accumulated to give to the orphanage caregivers and people helping us, toys for the pre-adoption evaluation, snacks, medicine (like Imodium), etc. We have to go to Andy's gym to weigh the luggage. In October, Delta changed their weight allowance from 75 lbs to 50 lbs. We get 2 bags each plus a carry on, that sounds like a lot but it's amazing how fast this fills up.
The other thing that's been making me crazy has been the wait on our visas. I sent the documents on January 2nd by Fedex to New York. The Russian consulate received them on January 5th, but then they closed for 3 days for their Christmas/New Year holidays. I was so worried that I faxed the consulate on Saturday. Bless their little souls, they emailed me today saying it was sent FedEx today. They even sent a tracking number. So I should get the passports/visas tommorrow.
Now I have four more days of waiting to go.
My friend Christina is taking us to the airport on Saturday morning so we don't have to worry about transportation. Russia or bust!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Well, this is the beginning of our journey to meet our child. What do you say about something that will so drastically change your life and the life of a little one. We are leaving on January 24th and expect to meet him or her on January 26th, 2009. Here's a little about how we got here: We've been going through fertility treatments for the last 5 years. I don't say this in a complaining way but factual. I used to be so sad about the idea of not being able to have a child, but I truly believe God had another plan for us. We were married in 2001 and wanted to wait a few years to be together before we had children. Pretty normal...you don't expect to have your life plan to not work out like you expect it. When we started trying to have children, it came up pretty quickly that we would have trouble having kids. We went through all the pills, shots, and not-so-fun stuff with the doctors. If you've been through it...nothing more need be said. In our 5th year in the process we starting looking at adoption as an option. I had prayed through every bit of the fertility process for success or guidance on what God's will was for us. Everything with fertility was a trial and nothing seemed to be working. When we started to focus on adoption it seems like a path opened up before us. In February 2008 we decided to actively sign up with Catholic Social Services to try for international adoption in Russia. We chose them because they were a Christian based organization and also because they focused on two countries were interested in (Russia and China). Russia was one of my first choices because I had studied there in 1996 and I know a lot of the history and culture of the country. CSS had been in Russia since right after the Russian Federation opened their borders to international adoption in 1992. We had our homestudy in the Spring and by mid-summer our paperwork was sent over to Russia. It has gone amazingly quickly and we were originally expecting to travel the week of Christmas 2008. It all sounds so simplistic, but at the end of it is the life of a child. Who is this little one? We registered with Russia as a no preference family, but most likely (99% chance) will end up with a boy. It is a blind referral which means we know absolutely nothing about him until we get there. Some districts would send you a referral in advance. Our referral could have been in many different parts of Russia, but we have been assigned to the Moscow Region. International adoption procedures are different from country to country. In Russia, you must go for two trips during the process of trying to adopt. The first trip is what I've been calling the 'meet and greet' trip. During this we will meet our referral (son--yikes what a thought), assess their health with the help of a local doctor (or an International Adoption Clinic doctor in the U.S.), have an 8-doctor physical done on ourselves, and deal with all the legal paperwork involved in accepting the referral and requesting the court date. This trip is just one week. We will be going from January 25th-31st. We've pre-packed a small amount of children's clothes of various ages (unisex), toys, gifts, and contingency stuff to be as prepared as we can. Delta only gives us 50 lbs per back (2 bags each) so we're trying to take as much as we can now so we will have enough room on the 2nd trip. The 2nd trip will be 6-8 weeks after our return. It takes that long to get a Russian court date. This trip will be between 2-4 weeks because you go to court, then you have to wait on the Russian passport, and then you have 10-day waiting period, and then you go to the U.S. embassy and wait on the U.S. passport and can then go home. We're excited and scared all at the same time. So many unknowns, but we've put our faith in God on this. I feel such an unexpected love for this unknown child. I hope you will follow us on our journey.
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