DOE & Meeting HOPE!

Yes, yes I know I have kept you all waiting all this time...and it is only because we are soooo EXHAUSTED!!

So I am not gonna get into it in such depth..but will give you an overview..and maybe touch back a little later if I feel that I forgot a lot.

Okay, so we went to meet with the DOE, I was so nervous I thought I was going to stop breathing and faint! We drove there along with another couple (which helped the nerves a lil), and then met another couple from CT...all very nice, and all as nervous as us about the appointment;) When it was our turn to meet with the two nice ladies with smiles on their faces. They asked us brief questions about our home & lifestyle..and then gave us a pic of our referral!!!
From there, we got to go immediately, to the orphange to meet our baby. Again, the nerves! Once we entered, we saw a spic & span cleaned baby home covered in a blanket of white snow. We waited a while and then got presented with our baby's history. It was short, but enough to understand, and be able to share with her one day -what she will want to know at some point.

Then soon after, came baby! She is Eurasian and a lot paler than I had expected..she also seemed well fed (giggle). She immediately started crying! She has a cold and some wheezing so it was awful hearing her cry with that lil rattle voice. I actually panicked at some point. Surprisingly, I didn't cry! Though, Fred did-alot!

I started reaching for my bag to give her something to calm her; cookies, but she refused and cried more! Then I showed her toys that calmed her a lttle, but the bubbles were the best! She was instantly amused! I started to rock her a little (she is a heavy lil thing), then I offered her a lollipop (yes very bad of me) but she LOVED IT, and SUCKED AWAY! We then took out our blanket, and the rest of the toys, we put her on her tummy but she hated that. Though, I think that with some exercises, she will be much happier. She is a shorty, despite her weight, with tiny hands & feet. They had layered so many onesies on her..I am sure it is not helping her breathing. Freddy then took her away and showed her pics of the boys, and he put some music on (laptop)..she was very entertained and happy. She was jumping, and shaking her head no. She's a smart lil cookie, with quick reaction time and reflexes...so we're proud! she has a horrid haircut, but has beautiful hair (once it grows)...I remember myself asking GOD what it is we are supposed to do and feel (cause I felt overwhelmed too), though, immediately we felt GOD's presence and asked to change her name! We got copies of her medical info/vaccines etc. I even changed her clothes and gave her the up and down and turn around looksies (I'm a mommy, its what we do;) She is just perfect for us really...who can ask for more? I hope she will be happy with the change that will (GOD willing), soon take place in her young life (despite the beginning).

Once it was nap time, Fred and I felt sad...;( time flew so fast, we had so much fun. I think she did too...and when we said our good-bye, she kept turning around to look at us, which really hit me hard. Y'know it all took place so fast & smoothly- (we quickly became very comfotable with her and the staff)...that, it wasn't till the ride in the car and coming to the apartment, that I started to really get emotional. I keep looking at her pictures..and wish we had more time, and wish we didn't have to wait till February to return;( Well...we did all we could up to this point, its in GOD's care.

May everything be for her best interest!

P.S. She has really claimed her name-wink* (that's another post!)


MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS & MANY BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE!

Day 2 in Russia...

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for your warm comments and wishes.
You have no idea how reassuring it is from here.

Today..I felt grumpy! It must be close to that time of month cause I am so sensitive and irritable. We walked out of the apartment all bundled up, but took one look around and nearly fainted! Our driver got our key for us last night and we were not paying enough attention I guess..cause we could not figure out how to get to the office to register our visas! Anyway, luckily Peace Travel the company we used to book our apartment with sent someone over..she was very nice and helped us a lot!
I also needed to ask her how to use the washing machine (I already washed Fred's shirt twice, but could not for the life of me figure how to drain the water). Then, we set out again with a map on a mission to eat (it was then like 2pm) so it was lunch more than breakfast...we of course opted for Macdonalds...we suck! It was not difficult ordering there, and the food was fine (maybe even better, but I was hungry).

Mission 2: Red Square...boy did it suck tryuing to get there! It was cold..already getting dark..and no one knew where it was! I tried and tried in my best Russian tpo ask people..they were so pushy, they were so short and frankly we felt so annoying to them! Fred would try and cheer me up by taking pictures..but I felt so frustrated and almost embarressed to try and be happy in such a city. I made Fred feel crappy..which made me feel crappy..it was hard;(

We continued walking..I knew we couldn't be far (our apt is on New Arbat st) but I had been eating crap guys. I had tried to be so prepared..but forgot my Russian adoption book, forgot my Agencu's first trip papers...forgot the maps and places previous adopters had sent to me...damnit..I feel so ridiculous! So we kept walking...further & further...knowing we would probably not be able to find our apartment, but hoped to GOD we would..well, we did make to Red Square. In a funny way really-a young man (I figured I would ask someone younger this time) he looked up and smiled (no one else does usually) he then said "I speak a little english, I will help you". We were so relieved. He directed us to the underground tunnel..but said we were gooing the wrong way this whole time. Fred and I were so confused (we must have asked 8 people..they all said the Gum was the way we were heading). Then out of no where an older lady cuts in front of us, but the young man stopped her and asked in Russian where the 'Krasna Ployshite is' and she laughed and pointed to the direction we were headed??? He then laughed and said he was confused and that we were going the right way..we all laughed and thanked hm a hundred times. Then Fred and I continued, like the lady said...AND FINALLY SAW THE KTEMLIN WALLS! I was so happy! It was much colder and darker by then..but we made it..like after 4 hours (everyone said it'd be 10 minute walk)! When we entered the big gates to see the sight of the lights, trees, the St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM...it was quite a sight..and to see it for ourselves was sometjing else in itself. I really could not think about pictures at that moment..I just had to take everything in, because the day had been so exhausting both physically and mentally..and then emotionally.
Freddy, of course had this smile on his face with his 'Rusky hat' that made me giggle when I would look at him (hard to take him seriously). He pulled out the camera and started snapping away..stopped people in the street to take pics of us..they were a lot more understanding and did so without hesitation. I am happy with the pics..but we should return and take more in the day (if its possible). Also, we did not see the famous church, nor get to go inside of Basil's or GUM and would like this as well.

Anyway, we then walked all the way back (by the way we did not think about the metro because of being too intimidated by the people;) so don't ask please!
Its not all bad though..the cold in itself makes me smile, it reminds me of Canada and playing in the snow with my sis;) We found our apartment with ease, it did not feel as far, we were able to buy things in the little market, but had to go to several for raisers and fruit and chocolate milk THAT FRED INSISTEDF ON LIKE A CHILD! With a little russian it helped to communicate..the rubles is still confusing though. We bought waters (cause you feel very dehydrated here), and we pointed at things we thought we'd like, like breads, pastries and milk. Oh, and Chandra..we pulled a salt in Fred's coffee thing too..I could have sworn it was sugar?

Once we were back in the apartment we were so relieved and it was oh so warm! I made us some coffee and dinner (if you can call bread & pepperoni that)..then got a phone call from a member of the agency's team. I was relieved to hear her voice (because again, it reminded me of why we are here) she was so nice..and she was giggling when I told her about our day..she said it was a familiar story..so it made me feel better and not abnormal. She said we would get picked up at 9:45 AM (our time) to go and meet and be somewhat interviewed (she gave us an idea of what questions) why we wanted to adopt, who would be at home with baby, and Fred's job etc. Then..I felt compelled to ask about some kind of info on our baby girl; (I had to be aggressive all day, so I figured why not ask for some light?) Our team's member said, that- she knew our baby very well:)) WOW! REALLY? She said "yes, yes!" she is from (I don't know if I am allowed to post which baby home but now we know), then she said that she was chubby & healthy, and very CUTE! OUUHHHH! She then said that she was the noisiest in her baby group (sounds like my kid), and that she was naughty even;) Yep, mine! She also said that she was somewhat Eurasian (hmm whatever that means..who cares, I'm THRILLED! She also said that she was attached and alert and will cry! I probably will not sleep tonight. I go over and over what was said about her..and so want to hear more;) Even if she is gonna cry..I want to hear her, see her, and hold her;)


Anyway..here are some pics to enlighten you...I miss my family very much..and just want to kiss my boys so bad!

Day 2 in Russia...t

We're not in Kansas anymore..

Okay so a lot to post today...even though we just ARRIVED in MOCKBA!
I can tell you that it has been a looooong trip to my little baby..and we are almost there..but we have been through all kinds of storms. From NY-Paris, and then Paris-Russia...there was delays and cancellations..only GOD could have gotten us here! We are here though, finally. Yes its cold, yes its dark..and yes its Russia.
The bright side is that we flew first class the whole trip on three different planes..weewww I think I would have died otherwise. We spotted our driver right away, and he's a very cool dude! Our apartment is cozy and darling, and my husband and I are on cloud 9 right now, especially coming to a bedroom with pink linens, comforter and playpen right along side the bed;) It caught me off guard really...and gave me the smile I needed.

I found the airport to be a bit of a zoo. People don't smile, they did stsre (guess we ugly and short). They also were very pushy..and it almost freightened me. Any Russian I have learned..in those moments made me a blank. I felt overwhelmed..and fatigued...hehe..I missed my mommy! Tomorrow hopefully will be a fun filled day..where we will get snacks and stuff. This is a very big city..and its cold (did I mention that already)? We've called our folks and checked in with the boys who already miss us ;( We miss them too....but when they say "bring Hopee back" I guess its ok to be away for a couple of days..but as a stay at home mother..you go crazy a day away from the babies. Fred says he's worried about me when I get to the orphanage..I'm gonna be a mess!

I do not know how to explain this..but something about the airplane on Aeroflot, and the airport jungle..I just felt like I know why the orphans here need more of us to adopt...I don't know if I will ever be able to be specific enough to highlight what I mean...you just gotta see for yourself I guess. Its another world here...and to be honest it kind of gives me the creeps.

We are on board!

We are leaving Newark to Paris! My husband Fred has this huge grin on his face because we are on the plane right now, in First Class to HOPEE! YEAHHH!
I am so gonna sleep....so nighty night for now;))

4 AM

We went to a company party last night, had too good of a time smiling and dancing:) Had 1 vodka/cranberry to celebrate! Went home to finish last minute packing (while Freddy slept). I went to bed excitedly at 1:30AM-Woke up at 4:30AM to catch a flight to Newark (don't ask, I'm as confused as you are)! Currently-I am in Newark, have a flight at 6PM to Paris, then GOD willing will connect to Moscow by tomorrow 3:15PM...Oh but NeW York might get hit with a snow storm and delay things! SIGHH...my head still hurts from the vodka!