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.
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