We're sorry we have not posted in several days. Our travel schedule left little time but I'll bring you up to speed.
On Friday, we took the Sapsan train back to Moscow. The train is nice, clean and comfortable. It has only been in service since May so again it is clean and new looking. We sat in the first class car. It was not much more than coach and it includes meal and beverage service. Very similar to an airplane, they bring the carts down the aisles. They serve sodas, juice, wine, and liquor for beverages. The meal is a salad plate with fish or beef, a hot meal ( I think the choices were beef, chicken or fish) and dessert. It was all included. If you choose coach seating you can go to the dining car and purchase drinks and meals. It just so happened that on both legs our seats faced a table with 2 more passengers on the other side. The first train was when we met the nice people from Mexico. On this leg we faced a grandfather and his precious grandson. They spoke Russian only but the joy of this trip they were sharing together did not need translation. The grandson was wide eyed staring out the window, but he tried to keep his cool since he was facing us 2 Americans. I was entertained by the gentleman, 3 rows from us, listening to "It's Raining Men" & Tina Turner over and over again! It was loud I could clearly hear the words from my seat and he had on headphones! Obviously his 2 favorite songs!
When we arrived in Moscow a driver from the hotel picked us up. On the way to the train station on Sunday it only took about 20 minutes. As we headed to the hotel there was a lot of traffic but we assumed it was just rush hour on a Friday night. When we reached the 1 hour mark we couldn't believe it. There were 8 lanes of traffic headed the same direction and we were not moving. We finally got to the hotel after 2 hours. The staff told us that Putin was going somewhere and the roads had been blocked. By that time we just grabbed dinner and went to bed. We were being picked up at 7 am for the airport. That ride was smooth and only took about 45 minutes. The Moscow airport was pretty easy to navigate. We had a comfortable 11 flight to Houston. I was thrilled to see more movie & television choices that I liked on this leg, one of which was The Help. I saw it in the theater but I watched it again. The flight from Houston to Tampa was uneventful.
Bill slept through the night Saturday night. I was not so lucky, but last night was better. We are getting back on track. So now we wait. We hope to hear about a court date soon so we can get back to our precious little girl.
Also, thank you to all of you for your support and comments. We can not tell you how much it meant to hear from you and know we and our daughter are so loved. Stay tuned for trip #2!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Hoping time really does fly
We had a busy day. Our driver took us to meet our coordinator and translator at the notary's office. Here we had to sign an official request to adopt little miss. From there we went to a medical clinic to have the check-up required by the court. We had another hour before we were permitted at the baby home so we stopped in a coffee shop. We enjoyed more interesting conversation with our driver and translator. Finally we could go to the baby home!
Little miss was a happy girl today. We showed her the photo book we put together to leave with her. She loved looking at it and turning the pages. We played lots of music and even discovered another toy in the room that played different music. We listened to it over and over again. We laughed thinking how the passengers sharing our plane home with her are going to really appreciate her love of music...for 10 hours!! We took off her shoes to try on some pants. As soon as they were off she pulled off her socks and played with her feet.
After some time she became very calm and just wanted to be held. There were no complaints from us. The perfect way to spend our last day together. We took turns cuddling with her. During this time she revealed another first to us: she sucks her thumb! She looks like she wants to put both in her mouth at once but actually just holds the second hand near the other. Almost like she is praying. During this time we told her all about her new home, and all of you that are waiting to love on her. As we looked out the window, we told her how she would love running bare foot in the yard. As we stood in that tiny room, we told her how she will love running and playing all over the house. And, of course, we told her how much Mommy & Daddy loved her. And that we promised to be back very soon.
Eventually our translator came back to say we only had 10 more minutes. That's when the waterworks started-Bill & I both just hugged her and cried. Bill carried her as we took her back to her group. We gave her the photo book, a stuffed doggie, and that magical, musical piano that we played so much.
So now we are hoping and praying time flies by until we get to come back. We are thankful to the ladies who have cared for her all of her life. We continue to have gratitude towards them for protecting our precious girl until we return.
Little miss was a happy girl today. We showed her the photo book we put together to leave with her. She loved looking at it and turning the pages. We played lots of music and even discovered another toy in the room that played different music. We listened to it over and over again. We laughed thinking how the passengers sharing our plane home with her are going to really appreciate her love of music...for 10 hours!! We took off her shoes to try on some pants. As soon as they were off she pulled off her socks and played with her feet.
After some time she became very calm and just wanted to be held. There were no complaints from us. The perfect way to spend our last day together. We took turns cuddling with her. During this time she revealed another first to us: she sucks her thumb! She looks like she wants to put both in her mouth at once but actually just holds the second hand near the other. Almost like she is praying. During this time we told her all about her new home, and all of you that are waiting to love on her. As we looked out the window, we told her how she would love running bare foot in the yard. As we stood in that tiny room, we told her how she will love running and playing all over the house. And, of course, we told her how much Mommy & Daddy loved her. And that we promised to be back very soon.
Eventually our translator came back to say we only had 10 more minutes. That's when the waterworks started-Bill & I both just hugged her and cried. Bill carried her as we took her back to her group. We gave her the photo book, a stuffed doggie, and that magical, musical piano that we played so much.
So now we are hoping and praying time flies by until we get to come back. We are thankful to the ladies who have cared for her all of her life. We continue to have gratitude towards them for protecting our precious girl until we return.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Another day with the one we love.
We had a first today. Bill was in the shower this morning while I was drying my hair. All of a sudden my hair dryer blew the fuse and the entire room went dark! Poor Bill was in a pitch black bathroom. I heard his voice "Umm Hello?!" Fortunately, the hotel electricians arrived within 10 minutes to restore the power. Needless to say I finished my blow out with the hotel's wimpy hair dryer. It took a little longer but at least we could see!
Our same driver and translator took us to the baby home. We reached it at the appropriate time but we had to wait a little bit. Once again our little miss came strolling around the corner. Today she was wearing a different outfit. The last 2 days she wore the same thing which included a boyish looking hoodie. Today her jacket was pink. She looks good in pink! I wish we could show you pictures of her but we have to wait until after court.
As soon as we reached our same tiny little room she was not very happy. We quickly realized she was bored with being contained in this small room. We snuck out to walk down a short hall, and up and down a stairway. As soon as we reached the theshold of our room she was displeased! Enough of this room!! She also enjoyed looking out the window. Talking to the birds and cars she could see. It was while I was holding her to look out the window that I received my first kiss! I'll never forget it-a smack on the lips! She also noticed Bill's 5-o-clock shadow. She started feeling it, along with his nose & eyes. I wore another long necklace that she liked. She was playing with it while I held her. She then lifted it up and put it over her head-so we both wore it for a while. She loved her music again today, but I think her favorites of the day was a piece of cardboard from a toy wrapper, pulling baby wipes out of the container, and pulling my facial blotting papers out of the dispenser. Bill wants to take her a box of kleenex tomorrow! Who needs toys?
After we went to a children's store to purchase some supplies for the baby home. Then we went to the Church on Spilled Blood. It is beautiful. We walked all around that area and the open air market nearby. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city. The architecture is gorgeous. There are so many waterways and bridges that are just lovely. We feel blessed to have the added bonus of experiencing this beautiful city while receiving our true treasure.
Our same driver and translator took us to the baby home. We reached it at the appropriate time but we had to wait a little bit. Once again our little miss came strolling around the corner. Today she was wearing a different outfit. The last 2 days she wore the same thing which included a boyish looking hoodie. Today her jacket was pink. She looks good in pink! I wish we could show you pictures of her but we have to wait until after court.
As soon as we reached our same tiny little room she was not very happy. We quickly realized she was bored with being contained in this small room. We snuck out to walk down a short hall, and up and down a stairway. As soon as we reached the theshold of our room she was displeased! Enough of this room!! She also enjoyed looking out the window. Talking to the birds and cars she could see. It was while I was holding her to look out the window that I received my first kiss! I'll never forget it-a smack on the lips! She also noticed Bill's 5-o-clock shadow. She started feeling it, along with his nose & eyes. I wore another long necklace that she liked. She was playing with it while I held her. She then lifted it up and put it over her head-so we both wore it for a while. She loved her music again today, but I think her favorites of the day was a piece of cardboard from a toy wrapper, pulling baby wipes out of the container, and pulling my facial blotting papers out of the dispenser. Bill wants to take her a box of kleenex tomorrow! Who needs toys?
After we went to a children's store to purchase some supplies for the baby home. Then we went to the Church on Spilled Blood. It is beautiful. We walked all around that area and the open air market nearby. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city. The architecture is gorgeous. There are so many waterways and bridges that are just lovely. We feel blessed to have the added bonus of experiencing this beautiful city while receiving our true treasure.
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| This is the Church on Spilled Blood |
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Full of Joy!
We enjoyed another fantastic day. I was able to get up early to workout. That felt good. We had breakfast at the hotel before meeting our driver and translator in the lobby. We had the same driver today, but a different translator. She was a ray of sunshine. So animated and warm. We arrived at the baby home earlier than our scheduled appointment, so we waited in the car. Then we waited inside while our little miss finished her lunch. They brought her to us and we went to our same tiny room. She was even more playful today. She came to both of us easily, without fear. We played-she loves music. One of the toys we brought has a keyboard. She kept pressing the key to play a song-each time she would tilt her head from side to side and put her hands in the air. Our translator said "Oh, she has an ear for music. Maybe she will be a talented musician!" I don't know about that but we enjoyed seeing her happiness.
She discovered she liked to sit on Bill's lap and lean back over his legs-and to have her belly tickled. Oh, how she giggled. And, of course, wanted to do it over and over. With me she loved when I would kiss her neck. Again, giggle upon giggle. She was enamored with my necklace and bracelets. Just another confirmation that this girl is my child!
We brought some clothes and shoes to try on for her size. The shoes fit and she was fascinated with the velcro. We tried on 2 tops and confirmed she needed the larger of the 2 sizes.
We visited for 2 1/2 hours. She was getting very tired so we took her back to her group for a nap. When our agency first described her to us they said she is full of joy. That truly characterizes her perfectly!
After our visit, our driver and translator took us to a souvenir shop. We bought a couple of items. Then we took them out to lunch. We asked our driver to choose a restaurant with Russian food. He chose a beautiful restaurant called Czar. It was delicious. They have good soups with interesting ingredients. Lots of fish, poultry, veal, and game. It was interesting to talk to them and they answered all of our questions about Russian culture and history. Those of you who know Bill know he had a lot of questions!! But they did not mind at all.
Later tonight, we went out to walk around. We discovered a couple of large shopping malls. I bought her a cute sweater dress with Russian dolls on it. We looked at winter coats and snow suits which she will certainly need when we return to bring her home. It's sure to be very cold here then.
Thanks so much to everyone who is following us. We are filled with your love when we read your comments.
Stay Tuned...
She discovered she liked to sit on Bill's lap and lean back over his legs-and to have her belly tickled. Oh, how she giggled. And, of course, wanted to do it over and over. With me she loved when I would kiss her neck. Again, giggle upon giggle. She was enamored with my necklace and bracelets. Just another confirmation that this girl is my child!
We brought some clothes and shoes to try on for her size. The shoes fit and she was fascinated with the velcro. We tried on 2 tops and confirmed she needed the larger of the 2 sizes.
We visited for 2 1/2 hours. She was getting very tired so we took her back to her group for a nap. When our agency first described her to us they said she is full of joy. That truly characterizes her perfectly!
After our visit, our driver and translator took us to a souvenir shop. We bought a couple of items. Then we took them out to lunch. We asked our driver to choose a restaurant with Russian food. He chose a beautiful restaurant called Czar. It was delicious. They have good soups with interesting ingredients. Lots of fish, poultry, veal, and game. It was interesting to talk to them and they answered all of our questions about Russian culture and history. Those of you who know Bill know he had a lot of questions!! But they did not mind at all.
Later tonight, we went out to walk around. We discovered a couple of large shopping malls. I bought her a cute sweater dress with Russian dolls on it. We looked at winter coats and snow suits which she will certainly need when we return to bring her home. It's sure to be very cold here then.
Thanks so much to everyone who is following us. We are filled with your love when we read your comments.
Stay Tuned...
Monday, October 24, 2011
Today we met our daughter!
What a day it has been! We were picked up at our hotel at 10:30 by our driver. He is a nice fellow that speaks English fairly well. He took us to the Ministry of Education where we met our coordinator (she lives here in St. Petersburg and works for our agency to handle the Russian side of our adoption), At the MOE, we were brought in to an office where a woman told us about our little miss, gave us some basic background information, and said we could now go meet her! Woohoo! Not so fast. Next we had to stop at another municipality within the region to get permission to visit her. Again, they approved the visit so NOW we are off to the baby home. Woohoo!!
We arrived at the baby home. As soon as we entered we put on blue plastic booties over our shoes. We were waiting in the hallway - I thought we were waiting for the director. Next thing I notice a young woman coming around the corner holding a toddler's hand. The baby looked up and it was our girl!! Our coordinator said "Let's go!" and we followed them down the hall, up the stairs to a tiny room. They left her with the 3 of us. She is absolutely beautiful! I think Bill & I were both in shock at first. We started pulling out toys, our coordinator spoke to her in Russian while showing her the toys. She took to them immediately. She seemed quite comfortable with both of us. We were pleased to see this because it is very common for the children to be distant with men because they never see them. All of their caregivers are women. But this was not the case for our girl. At one point, Bill was holding her and he lifted her up in the air. She giggled so loudly. It was music to my ears!
The doctor that we hired to check her arrived. She had already read all of her medical charts. She examined her while I held her and she cried. My heart broke. The great news is we received an excellent report! The doctor was extremely nice and helpful. I am thankful we made the decision to have her come. She made us more comfortable with everything. After about 2 hours, little miss seemed to be getting tired. Our coordinator took her back to her caregivers.
We signed our intent to adopt her today. We never thought we would be making this decision on the first day but it just felt right. After excellent reports from 2 doctors and a fantastic visit, we knew this little girl is our daughter.
It was a wonderful day that we will never forget. What a relief after so much waiting and worry. We are looking forward to seing her again tomorrow!
We arrived at the baby home. As soon as we entered we put on blue plastic booties over our shoes. We were waiting in the hallway - I thought we were waiting for the director. Next thing I notice a young woman coming around the corner holding a toddler's hand. The baby looked up and it was our girl!! Our coordinator said "Let's go!" and we followed them down the hall, up the stairs to a tiny room. They left her with the 3 of us. She is absolutely beautiful! I think Bill & I were both in shock at first. We started pulling out toys, our coordinator spoke to her in Russian while showing her the toys. She took to them immediately. She seemed quite comfortable with both of us. We were pleased to see this because it is very common for the children to be distant with men because they never see them. All of their caregivers are women. But this was not the case for our girl. At one point, Bill was holding her and he lifted her up in the air. She giggled so loudly. It was music to my ears!
The doctor that we hired to check her arrived. She had already read all of her medical charts. She examined her while I held her and she cried. My heart broke. The great news is we received an excellent report! The doctor was extremely nice and helpful. I am thankful we made the decision to have her come. She made us more comfortable with everything. After about 2 hours, little miss seemed to be getting tired. Our coordinator took her back to her caregivers.
We signed our intent to adopt her today. We never thought we would be making this decision on the first day but it just felt right. After excellent reports from 2 doctors and a fantastic visit, we knew this little girl is our daughter.
It was a wonderful day that we will never forget. What a relief after so much waiting and worry. We are looking forward to seing her again tomorrow!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
We're Here!
We made it to Saint Petersburg! After a wonderful nights rest and a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Moscow, we ventured to the train station. The train was on time, clean & looked new. We sat with a nice group from Mexico that spoke English. It took just under 4 1/2 hours to get there-it traveled about 200 kilometers/hour.
Our hotel in Saint Petersburg is on a popular street near the train station. We walked around tonight looking for dinner and saw there are many restaurants and shops within easy walking from the hotel. We had a delicious meal this evening at a beautiful restaurant. Now we are back getting settled in for a good nights sleep so we are ready for the big day tomorrow!!! I hope we can actually sleep!
Our hotel in Saint Petersburg is on a popular street near the train station. We walked around tonight looking for dinner and saw there are many restaurants and shops within easy walking from the hotel. We had a delicious meal this evening at a beautiful restaurant. Now we are back getting settled in for a good nights sleep so we are ready for the big day tomorrow!!! I hope we can actually sleep!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
One Giant Step Closer
We have made it to Moscow! Both legs went smooth. Singapore Air from Houston to Moscow was like a stage show. All of the female flight attendants were perfectly groomed with the same up do and they looked to be the same height & size! They wear these fitted, asian-inspried costumes/uniforms. Very interesting! At least for the first few hours, by hour ten I was not as entertained.
We are spending the night in Moscow. Taking the Sapsan high speed train to Saint Petersburg tomorrow. We are getting closer!!
We are spending the night in Moscow. Taking the Sapsan high speed train to Saint Petersburg tomorrow. We are getting closer!!
Monday, October 17, 2011
0 to 60 in a single phone call
The other important news of that phone call was that if we accepted this referral we would be meeting her in less than 2 weeks! That is the amusing part of this process so much waiting and now we are in a sprint. So here we go - to Russia! Can't wait!! Time to pack!
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