I cannot even imagine doing all I am doing and still having to do all that shopping... thanks again!
We keep receiving wonderfully kind words and help and we are so lucky!
To just give a quick low-down on the new stress we were slapped with, the embassy diplomats went on strike in a lot of the major cities, including Moscow. I had an email from the lady at CHOC who I keep dealing with (and it was a tad rude, but we won't get into that now since it is being dealt with) that basically said we have to check to see if we are going to experience delays because of this. Eff that! Isn't that part of what we are paying her for? Contact with the reps over in Moscow who would have a better ability to find out this info?!?! Either way, S has the email of the contact in Moscow from their previous adoption so he emailed her. It shouldn't be a problem, still 4 business days for the visa, because of the situation. Thank goodness for his contact with O in Moscow!
Also, the apartment rental people are beginning to get on our nerves too (when I say our, I mean all 4 of us) with a few little things. As S said, "there's always a little excitement, isn't there?"
I have ordered the money, washed all of her and our clothes, started the pile of what we need to take, scanned our travel documents again for registration, put new items 'away' so that we can get rid of all the garbage and packaging before she is in the house, rescheduled all appointments, gave my friends a tour of Halifax, and continually email S in Richmond Hill about everything, and dealt with the stupid responses from the two parties I mentioned earlier.
My list is about half done, which is good because it's halfway through the time we had! 4 more sleeps!!!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Laundry and Folding
Laundry and folding were soooo much fun! I balled all the little socks and set aside the items I'm going to take with us to Russia and put all the rest in her dresser. So amazing. I even loved pulling pink lint out of the lint trap. It was the first time I ever did that haha!
Our flights have been booked. We leave on the 4th and land the night of the 5th. Spend the 6,7,8,9 in Sterlitimak. Leave the night of the 9th for Moscow. Spend 7 days in Moscow and depart on the 16th for Canada! Yeah!
We also have our apartment booked for Moscow. It's a cute little place to spend our first week as a family. It is in a really good location too so we can get pics of Dania in front of some of the famous spots! D & S also remember where the supermarket is located in relation to the apartments so that is an extra bonus!
I have such a smaller to-do list now! hahaha! Thanks again!
I have rescheduled the appointments that were happening during the trip, I am semi-packed with her items. I have opened and put away most of the generous gifts! I love seeing toys in my living room! Just a few more items to do and I don't feel rushed. This is wonderful!
Our flights have been booked. We leave on the 4th and land the night of the 5th. Spend the 6,7,8,9 in Sterlitimak. Leave the night of the 9th for Moscow. Spend 7 days in Moscow and depart on the 16th for Canada! Yeah!
We also have our apartment booked for Moscow. It's a cute little place to spend our first week as a family. It is in a really good location too so we can get pics of Dania in front of some of the famous spots! D & S also remember where the supermarket is located in relation to the apartments so that is an extra bonus!
I have such a smaller to-do list now! hahaha! Thanks again!
I have rescheduled the appointments that were happening during the trip, I am semi-packed with her items. I have opened and put away most of the generous gifts! I love seeing toys in my living room! Just a few more items to do and I don't feel rushed. This is wonderful!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
I Know THE Best People
I will never be able to express the relief and gratitude I felt when I came home and saw this:
and some friends hiding amidst the bounty of love from a whole lot of amazing people.
Now, I have to admit that we did know something was going on because in the Moscow airport we read a comment someone had made on a photo and then saw 5 other photos of cute t-shirts. I realized that people were helping us out and I turned to Mike with tears in my eyes and then he started crying. We had just had a horrible few hours struggling to get through to the travel agent and the apartment rental place. I was feeling overwhelmed and a little defeated. Seeing the picture of the I Love my Mommy shirt and other cute clothes made me calm down and feel better.
You all will never be able to understand how much this means to me. I have 8 more days here and they are going to be a lot less stressful than I imagined. I have gone through everything and it is all wonderful and perfect.
The trip is now over and it won't be long until the third trip is upon me and then HOME!
Now, I have to admit that we did know something was going on because in the Moscow airport we read a comment someone had made on a photo and then saw 5 other photos of cute t-shirts. I realized that people were helping us out and I turned to Mike with tears in my eyes and then he started crying. We had just had a horrible few hours struggling to get through to the travel agent and the apartment rental place. I was feeling overwhelmed and a little defeated. Seeing the picture of the I Love my Mommy shirt and other cute clothes made me calm down and feel better.
You all will never be able to understand how much this means to me. I have 8 more days here and they are going to be a lot less stressful than I imagined. I have gone through everything and it is all wonderful and perfect.
The trip is now over and it won't be long until the third trip is upon me and then HOME!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Day 6
Today is our last day in Sterlitimak (for only 11 more sleeps!) and we had a fun morning visit with Dania. She was sleepy at 11 and fell asleep on me but then the Ontario couple showed us this awesome fun room and we gently woke her up. She didn't mind waking up when she saw where she was! She really likes to pick at screws and feel textures so I took her to this wall that had all kinds of things screwed into it with all different materials. She played there happily and talked to herself in the mirror. Then she was fascinated with the plastic columns with colour changing lights in the bottom that were enclosed with mirrors so there were many Danias! The whole room had padded stairs and forts and beanbag chairs and even a ball pit! There were all kinds of fun lights too. A completely awesome sensory room. I don't know if she would have ever been in it before. I don't think either of the girls had by their hesitation at first. D&S remembered it from their first adoption visits so they just asked if we could go in today. They get us all the cool breaks!
Our daughter!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
First Family Photo
Our first official family photograph.
we look a little happy, eh?
July 24th will be family day for sure. It technically isn't offical until the 6th of August, but this is the day we were congratulated by the judge!
She weighs 15-ish pounds. Her dress said size 1... I don't know how their sizing compairs to ours though. 18-24 months would work. She is tiny weight but she is tall. Size 3 diaper still (again, size 3 here, 15 pounds).
It was wonderful hugging and kissing her this afternoon!
Yeah yeah yeah!
Sweet! Day 5
We got her!
YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH! I held true to my word that I wasn't very nervous (the prosecutor had a pair of big ol' sunglasses in her hair! LOL!) and the judge was Bashkir (which is the same ethnicity as Dania) and I wore my red shoes that I haven't worn since our wedding (and that day was awesome so it had to be lucky today too!) I didn't cry until it was all over when the judge looked at me and said she was glad we were keeping her name because in Bashkir it means, "sweet."
She is sweet.
She is ours.
I'm a mom!
I'm crying hahahaha.
The courtroom itself was more of a conference room and it was just constant listening to the people talking and the translator beside me. Up and down whenever we spoke or answered questions. They seemed more concerned about her health than anything and just wanted to ensure that we would be there and able to provide what she needs to thrive and become independent. The depression did come up, but I wasn't worried. I kind of had the feeling this was good since we were told we could take her in ten days. I figured the judge had already gone through our case enough with our lawyer and representative on the day they decided that and today was just a matter of the judicial motions.
YEAH!
We go to see our daughter(heehee) this afternoon and then once more tomorrow before we leave. The flights will probably be booked in the next 24 hours. The Ontario couple has a travel agent connection who is Russian so she has found us the best deal and we are now just hammering out the dates for certainty. Most likely: We will depart Canada on August 4th and arrive the night of the 5th. The 6th is when all is official and we can pick up the documents. Then they will apply for the passports and those will get picked up on the 8th. On the 9th we go to Moscow. We have the weekend to be a family in the hotel. Monday the 12th we go to get her visa and register her as a Russian citizen living abroad. We wait 4 days for the visa to be made. Spend one more day in Moscow and leave on the 16th for HOME!
So, we have 9 days to do everything we need to do once home in Canada, and this includes a wedding, getting foreign money, getting her clothes and toiletry needs, and having good friends visit for the week to help me pass the time! Holy smokes!
Thank you all sooooo much for the support and the following... this won't stop any time soon. My journey to becoming a mom has hit the home stretch, but Dania's journey with us is just starting!!!
xoxo
YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH! I held true to my word that I wasn't very nervous (the prosecutor had a pair of big ol' sunglasses in her hair! LOL!) and the judge was Bashkir (which is the same ethnicity as Dania) and I wore my red shoes that I haven't worn since our wedding (and that day was awesome so it had to be lucky today too!) I didn't cry until it was all over when the judge looked at me and said she was glad we were keeping her name because in Bashkir it means, "sweet."
She is sweet.
She is ours.
I'm a mom!
I'm crying hahahaha.
The courtroom itself was more of a conference room and it was just constant listening to the people talking and the translator beside me. Up and down whenever we spoke or answered questions. They seemed more concerned about her health than anything and just wanted to ensure that we would be there and able to provide what she needs to thrive and become independent. The depression did come up, but I wasn't worried. I kind of had the feeling this was good since we were told we could take her in ten days. I figured the judge had already gone through our case enough with our lawyer and representative on the day they decided that and today was just a matter of the judicial motions.
YEAH!
We go to see our daughter(heehee) this afternoon and then once more tomorrow before we leave. The flights will probably be booked in the next 24 hours. The Ontario couple has a travel agent connection who is Russian so she has found us the best deal and we are now just hammering out the dates for certainty. Most likely: We will depart Canada on August 4th and arrive the night of the 5th. The 6th is when all is official and we can pick up the documents. Then they will apply for the passports and those will get picked up on the 8th. On the 9th we go to Moscow. We have the weekend to be a family in the hotel. Monday the 12th we go to get her visa and register her as a Russian citizen living abroad. We wait 4 days for the visa to be made. Spend one more day in Moscow and leave on the 16th for HOME!
So, we have 9 days to do everything we need to do once home in Canada, and this includes a wedding, getting foreign money, getting her clothes and toiletry needs, and having good friends visit for the week to help me pass the time! Holy smokes!
Thank you all sooooo much for the support and the following... this won't stop any time soon. My journey to becoming a mom has hit the home stretch, but Dania's journey with us is just starting!!!
xoxo
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Day 4
I love all the comments! Yes, we do read them. Katie: Those are just in the special room and those are new since the last trip, the toy cupboard is still only filled with hard toys. Thanks everyone for following!
It is now the end of the day and one sleep (yah, right) away from court. We went over the procedure again today, nothing new since last time. Then they went over our statements with us... just have to say that I was the only one who didn't have to change a thing! Ahem! Pat on my back! We also got to feed the girls dinner today. Dania was a hungry little one and ate with no problems. Drinking is a bit harder as that can come up and out the nose a lot easier! If she uses a sippy cup she has better flow control, that's what they did last time, but this time we just had a regular cup.
We also had a change to discuss the third trip. They want us to coordinate our flights so we all take off and land at the same time - makes sense. I feel like we are going to have a skype flight booking date very soon. They have contact with the rep in Moscow. They will email her and find out how many days we need in Moscow and then we will book.
As for the cute part of the day (every moment spent with her, of course), she fell asleep in my arms again today. I'm starting to think she should nap at 11:00 and not 12:30! LOL The time zone change will mess that up anyway!
She LOVES to sing with me! I start singing and she now starts to sing too and bob her head or bounce. Freaking adorable. I know all kids do it, but this just PROVES music IS its own language! She doesn't care that she can't understand me! Videos later, promise. For now, these will suffice...
This is her "oh, wow!" smile.
This is her gut busting "so hilarious" smile.
Cute hat!
Family pic!
It is now the end of the day and one sleep (yah, right) away from court. We went over the procedure again today, nothing new since last time. Then they went over our statements with us... just have to say that I was the only one who didn't have to change a thing! Ahem! Pat on my back! We also got to feed the girls dinner today. Dania was a hungry little one and ate with no problems. Drinking is a bit harder as that can come up and out the nose a lot easier! If she uses a sippy cup she has better flow control, that's what they did last time, but this time we just had a regular cup.
We also had a change to discuss the third trip. They want us to coordinate our flights so we all take off and land at the same time - makes sense. I feel like we are going to have a skype flight booking date very soon. They have contact with the rep in Moscow. They will email her and find out how many days we need in Moscow and then we will book.
As for the cute part of the day (every moment spent with her, of course), she fell asleep in my arms again today. I'm starting to think she should nap at 11:00 and not 12:30! LOL The time zone change will mess that up anyway!
She LOVES to sing with me! I start singing and she now starts to sing too and bob her head or bounce. Freaking adorable. I know all kids do it, but this just PROVES music IS its own language! She doesn't care that she can't understand me! Videos later, promise. For now, these will suffice...
This is her "oh, wow!" smile.
This is her gut busting "so hilarious" smile.
Cute hat!
Family pic!
So, now tomorrow is it. I am not so nervous about court as I thought I would be. I know I won't cry during my speech because I can hold it in when being watched. I'm sure I will cry when she makes her decision and gives her verdict. Either way.
We will also have a few moments before court to ask the case social worker current situations of Dania's parents and grandparent's to ease (hopefully) our minds as to a smaller chance for appeal (because I do feel like we will get custody now, we have to).
I can't believe court is TOMORROW! I feel like I've been on such a crazy-ass roller coaster and have just gone around the final turn and am about to coast into the exit... Let's hope it doesn't derail!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Day 3 and Mind Blown
Just got back from our evening visit which was much more active than the morning one...
We just kind of hid on a swing and pretended she was awake and let her nap. She obviously needed it if she did that 20minutes into our visit!
This evening though, we did laps of the building and sang and danced. She now mimicks our clapping and feet stomping. As soon as she is in our arms she is reaching for our mouths so we can make noise and pat her hand on it so it "warbles." You know what I mean, right? I can't explain it properly.
Now for the mind blow! This would definitely NOT have happened if the couple from Ontario hadn't been with us. They adopted a few years ago befor the wait times changed. The judge has agreed that if we are awarded custody we can take her after only 10 days! HOLY TIME DIFFERENCE, BATMAN! This means, if we are granted custody and no one appeals she is officially ours on August 6th and we are to take her to Moscow from the baby home August 9th, and then we will be back in Canada by, probably, the 16th. Then they went to the passport officials and negotieated getting the passports made in 1 or 2 days! We were instantly overjoyed and then looked at each other with panic in our eyes. How the heck are we going get all we need and flights and hotel in Moscow with only 11 days and one pay in between!?!?! Then we look at her - it will happen. Just look at that face:
...how can we NOT make it happen? My "due" date just was shortened by 4 weeks! The reps and lawyer seem confident that this will all work out. I'm a little nervous, except I don't feel it at all with her - but, heck, I'm a mom, I worry!
It's time to make lists of things to get. Good 14 hour layover activity hahaha!
This shorter wait time also is better for her remembering us! She is always reaching up to be held so I'm hoping the 11 days we won't see her will be short enough that she will reach for us when we see her in August! If not, she will at least remember a lot quicker than she did after 2 months. I love her!
And I love watching her and Mike together!
Ok, we go over the hearing procedures tomorrow and then it's court the next day. Let's tackle that now.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
She's Got Personality! Day 2 part 2
Holy moly! She showed us who she really is tonight! Normally I wouldn't post twice in the same day, but I had to get all this out as I'm busting with happy! She was like a different kid and she had us laughing our butts off! She was trying so hard to run around, she was launching herself off of the little stage area into our arms, she was tipping over backwards in a trust-fall style, and she was singing, hooting, and hollering all over the place! I think this was the real Dania and she is telling us she is 100% comfortable with us! I wish I could post the videos to this, but they will have to wait until facebook when I get home. She was mimicking me and 'telling' us what she wanted to do. It was wonderful to see this! You could add up all her hoots and coos from all previous days and it wouldn't add up to the fun she was squeeling out today!
She would turn, look at whoever was sitting across from her, smile and then launch herself towards them.
And for all of those who have asked about her celft. She was laughing so hard that I got several photos of it. You can see how her gum line is all in tact, but beyond the gum line it is missing and you can see straight up to the back of the nose.
I love this kid!
She could not turn around fast enough so she could run to the other person!
She kept climbing up to be tickled or to pat her hand on our mouth while we made noise.
She kept throwing herself backwards and then wanting to be tickled!
She thought mimicking tongue sticking out was hilarious. We then tried the raspberries on the belly again. She didn't laugh at it, but she kept patting her belly to indicate more.
Day 2
We visited her again before dinner yesterday and she was totally fine with us. We did about 20 laps of the party room because she is so happy and proud of herself to be almost walking. She grins the whole time. We just played around with different toys and she was more talkative.
Today, we just got back from our morning visit, and I have to say that turquoise blue is her colour. It was the first time we had seen her in it, and they brought her out in this pretty blue dress with darker turquoise tights and her eyes just popped! We went outside this morning and, again, all she wanted to do was walk. We put her down and each held a hand and did a lap of the building. A little harder on the uneven ground but she would coo with each step, almost as if she was saying "left, right, left, right," and we just let her lead us where ever she wanted. For another lap, I would run ahead and turn around to watch her and she would smile really big and lean forward and try to almost run. It was so funny, her feet just couldn't move fast enough. We also had her going back and forth between us and when she would try to turn around to run to the other person she would turn her body but not her feet and still try to go forward. She will definitely be moving on her own so very soon.
We also finally got to meet the couple from Richmond Hill, D & S. Their little one is in the same group as Dania, I recognized her. She is about 6 months younger but already bigger than Dania! LOL! It was so good to finally meet these people in 3D. When we were calling the names that CHOC gave us as references for the process, these were the only people who called back, and then it just happened that our timelines synched up! Perfect!
We will be going back this afternoon. Neither of us feels as tired as we did last time. We must have had better times for our flights, plus less layover time, to make us feel rested this much sooner. She tuckers us out though! She tuckered herself out too! She led us over to a bench swing and we sat her on it backwards so she could dangle her legs, lean her chest onto the back and hold onto the back as well. She sat and watched her feet over the ground and completely hypnotized herself hahaha. After about ten minutes, I all of a sudden touched her back and she jumped and snapped out of it. She was just so much more animated today. Even the reps here said that they felt she has had such positive changes and they really think a lot had to do with meeting us and having the one-on-one attention for the five straight days. She said she feels no worry in her heart that Dania will thrive in our care. That was the first time I wanted to cry today! HA!
Remember I kept saying I had butterflies...
These were from last night.
Today, we just got back from our morning visit, and I have to say that turquoise blue is her colour. It was the first time we had seen her in it, and they brought her out in this pretty blue dress with darker turquoise tights and her eyes just popped! We went outside this morning and, again, all she wanted to do was walk. We put her down and each held a hand and did a lap of the building. A little harder on the uneven ground but she would coo with each step, almost as if she was saying "left, right, left, right," and we just let her lead us where ever she wanted. For another lap, I would run ahead and turn around to watch her and she would smile really big and lean forward and try to almost run. It was so funny, her feet just couldn't move fast enough. We also had her going back and forth between us and when she would try to turn around to run to the other person she would turn her body but not her feet and still try to go forward. She will definitely be moving on her own so very soon.
We will be going back this afternoon. Neither of us feels as tired as we did last time. We must have had better times for our flights, plus less layover time, to make us feel rested this much sooner. She tuckers us out though! She tuckered herself out too! She led us over to a bench swing and we sat her on it backwards so she could dangle her legs, lean her chest onto the back and hold onto the back as well. She sat and watched her feet over the ground and completely hypnotized herself hahaha. After about ten minutes, I all of a sudden touched her back and she jumped and snapped out of it. She was just so much more animated today. Even the reps here said that they felt she has had such positive changes and they really think a lot had to do with meeting us and having the one-on-one attention for the five straight days. She said she feels no worry in her heart that Dania will thrive in our care. That was the first time I wanted to cry today! HA!
Remember I kept saying I had butterflies...
These were from last night.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
And Then She Was There...
...and nothing else mattered.
REWIND 48 HOURS
After hanging up with my sister just before boarding the plane, I was thinking about how she said Mum said I seemed too calm. I was an internal wreck... just had to maintain sanity so they would let me out of the country and into two others! Seriously, it has been such a roller coaster that I feel exhasted. I was excited to leave. I was beyond ecstatic to see Dania again. I was nervous about connections. I cried myself to sleep the night before because I was so happy to be going finally!
In JFK I started crying because I was thinking about the future and how to announce it was 'official' once the appeal period was over. It makes me so happy to think I could do that one day next month! Then, on the plain to Moscow (which was delayed and making me nervous because our connection was going to be quite close) the fear took over. What if this was court didn't go well? What if someone from her family appealed the custody? What if this was the last trip we would ever make to see her? I cannot begin to explain the gut-wrenching, heart-draining sorrow at the thought of saying good bye to her for the last time EVER on Thursday. It is so unknown that I couldn't stop dwelling on it and I cried for a good three hours straight on the plane. Oh, dear. I didn't sleep hardly, I felt like vomiting almost constantly, I had just unearthed this all-consuming fear and it was awful.
We landed in Moscow and made the connection with only a little time to spare. We made up an hour in the air, thankfully. We landed in Ufa and as soon as I saw our driver, A, waiting for us I began to smile. As I stepped out into the Ufa air I started crying again because it felt like returning to a place as familiar and comfortable as home. I pretended to sleep from the airport to Sterlitimak, but I was really watching the countryside through my sunglasses while silently weeping from expectation.
I did sleep - from sheer exhaustion - but when I woke up the butterflies were back and so were the tears in the car on the way to the orphanage. There was no one in the office to answer our doorbell rings and just knowing she was in the building and we were unknown and outside made my heart hurt. Shortly, someone answered. I didn't recognize her and didn't understand her. The doctor came out and recognized us and directed us upstairs and we realized this is the moment we were waiting for.
And then she was there and nothing else mattered.
Damn, I'm crying now too! But because I can't stop smiling and I'm so happy I can share this finally!
She was clearly overwhelmed once in my arms. She wasn't as stressed as last time but the change in routine had upset her and the crocodile tears started. We knew we would have to take it slow and hope that she would eventually remember us. We set her down with some toys and the lack of head rubbing was glaringly apparent. She was obviously more comfortable. When she was on the ground, and a little more distanced, she stopped the tears and began to play hesitantly. I sang the whole time and within the hour she was smiling at us, handing us toys, inviting us to play with her, crawling a little, reaching out to be held, and just being wonderful. Sigh. I love her so much.
She looks a little more solid. She isn't walking on her own but can hold just one hand and walk with much steadier legs. Her hair is a bit longer, fuller, lighter, and she looks a tiny bit tanned.
She was definitely way more relaxed on this first day than she was by the end of day 2 last trip. She was cooing very quietly and clearly enjoying the one-on-one time. She spent a looooong time staring at my teeth! LOL! I think she remembers those more than anything else ha ha ha!
So, now it is lunch break (and probably nap time for both of us). I didn't take a lot of photos because we didn't want to overwhelm her, but I HAD to, of course. For your viewing pleasure...
REWIND 48 HOURS
After hanging up with my sister just before boarding the plane, I was thinking about how she said Mum said I seemed too calm. I was an internal wreck... just had to maintain sanity so they would let me out of the country and into two others! Seriously, it has been such a roller coaster that I feel exhasted. I was excited to leave. I was beyond ecstatic to see Dania again. I was nervous about connections. I cried myself to sleep the night before because I was so happy to be going finally!
In JFK I started crying because I was thinking about the future and how to announce it was 'official' once the appeal period was over. It makes me so happy to think I could do that one day next month! Then, on the plain to Moscow (which was delayed and making me nervous because our connection was going to be quite close) the fear took over. What if this was court didn't go well? What if someone from her family appealed the custody? What if this was the last trip we would ever make to see her? I cannot begin to explain the gut-wrenching, heart-draining sorrow at the thought of saying good bye to her for the last time EVER on Thursday. It is so unknown that I couldn't stop dwelling on it and I cried for a good three hours straight on the plane. Oh, dear. I didn't sleep hardly, I felt like vomiting almost constantly, I had just unearthed this all-consuming fear and it was awful.
We landed in Moscow and made the connection with only a little time to spare. We made up an hour in the air, thankfully. We landed in Ufa and as soon as I saw our driver, A, waiting for us I began to smile. As I stepped out into the Ufa air I started crying again because it felt like returning to a place as familiar and comfortable as home. I pretended to sleep from the airport to Sterlitimak, but I was really watching the countryside through my sunglasses while silently weeping from expectation.
I did sleep - from sheer exhaustion - but when I woke up the butterflies were back and so were the tears in the car on the way to the orphanage. There was no one in the office to answer our doorbell rings and just knowing she was in the building and we were unknown and outside made my heart hurt. Shortly, someone answered. I didn't recognize her and didn't understand her. The doctor came out and recognized us and directed us upstairs and we realized this is the moment we were waiting for.
And then she was there and nothing else mattered.
Damn, I'm crying now too! But because I can't stop smiling and I'm so happy I can share this finally!
She was clearly overwhelmed once in my arms. She wasn't as stressed as last time but the change in routine had upset her and the crocodile tears started. We knew we would have to take it slow and hope that she would eventually remember us. We set her down with some toys and the lack of head rubbing was glaringly apparent. She was obviously more comfortable. When she was on the ground, and a little more distanced, she stopped the tears and began to play hesitantly. I sang the whole time and within the hour she was smiling at us, handing us toys, inviting us to play with her, crawling a little, reaching out to be held, and just being wonderful. Sigh. I love her so much.
She looks a little more solid. She isn't walking on her own but can hold just one hand and walk with much steadier legs. Her hair is a bit longer, fuller, lighter, and she looks a tiny bit tanned.
She was definitely way more relaxed on this first day than she was by the end of day 2 last trip. She was cooing very quietly and clearly enjoying the one-on-one time. She spent a looooong time staring at my teeth! LOL! I think she remembers those more than anything else ha ha ha!
So, now it is lunch break (and probably nap time for both of us). I didn't take a lot of photos because we didn't want to overwhelm her, but I HAD to, of course. For your viewing pleasure...
The big tears and small bit of fear.
Then the smile we know and love was being flashed at us very soon... and I know mine is probably just as big!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Butterflies!
Oh my! Tomorrow!!! Russia version 2.0!
I have huge butterflies in my stomach. I was packed (almost completely) five days ago. I had to wait for Mike, who packed last night, because I had to use some of his suitcase space sine I have almost an entire suitcase of clothing items for donation to the orphanage! Thanks to all the knitters and thoughtful people who sent stuff to take. Please! This will be the last time as next trip (hopefully) the space will be used with clothes and diapers for her! Once we give the donations, I will definitely be able to fit everything of mine in my bags! We are very practical packers for these trips as we only want carry on luggage.
Also, we have the foreign currency (and had fun showing the teller the photos, since it was the same lady who sold us the currency last time) divided into envelopes for the appropriate parties. I hope I am not missing anything because we aren't bringing extra this time! It is a remarkably smaller stack of bills! Phewf!
We have our statements for court printed out, our itineraries, our selection of photos of our last trip for the judge, and my camera batteries charged! Ready!
Baby girl, here we come!
One of my favourites from the first trip. It's in the package for the judge too!
I have huge butterflies in my stomach. I was packed (almost completely) five days ago. I had to wait for Mike, who packed last night, because I had to use some of his suitcase space sine I have almost an entire suitcase of clothing items for donation to the orphanage! Thanks to all the knitters and thoughtful people who sent stuff to take. Please! This will be the last time as next trip (hopefully) the space will be used with clothes and diapers for her! Once we give the donations, I will definitely be able to fit everything of mine in my bags! We are very practical packers for these trips as we only want carry on luggage.
Also, we have the foreign currency (and had fun showing the teller the photos, since it was the same lady who sold us the currency last time) divided into envelopes for the appropriate parties. I hope I am not missing anything because we aren't bringing extra this time! It is a remarkably smaller stack of bills! Phewf!
We have our statements for court printed out, our itineraries, our selection of photos of our last trip for the judge, and my camera batteries charged! Ready!
Baby girl, here we come!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Booked for Round 2.
HOLY MOLY! 8 Sleeps and we leave to see her. 10 sleeps and we see her!
I almost immediately began coming the flight sites for our travels. Goal was to keep the round trip for both under 5 grand - success!
I had actually ordered the foreign currency for this coming Friday about 1 hour before the confirmation came, just in case. Perfect! So, that is already off the to-do list.
We leave Halifax for Toronto on the 18th. Then we connect to New York, Moscow, and, finally, Ufa. We are to be met by K and A, our host and driver, respectively, from the last trip. We arrive in Ufa on the 19th in the evening, so, we wait until the next morning to go to the orphanage! The couple from Ontario are also coming on this trip because, as predicted, they have their court at the same time. It will be nice to finally meet them! We had a meeting set up last summer but it fell through due to emergency.
I AM SO EXCITED TO HUG HER AND KISS HER WARM FACE!
If you read the previous post, the email stated that the day before had a new law passed that extends the wait period in between court from 30 to 40 days. I didn't even care because the END IS IN SIGHT!!! I can count down to a specific now and not just cross the days off the calendar! EXCITING! As my cousin T put it, I'm 7 weeks from my "due date." I HAVE a due date!
So, we pack over the next few days. Pick up the money of Friday. Recheck our packing a gajillion times to ensure we have clothing for really hot and mild weather (plus court clothes). Then we travel!
I am not as nervous about these next steps as I thought I would be. I'm sure, when I am standing in court, I will sweat like a pig in heat, but I will try to portray calmness. The 24th is a big step in deciding our fate. We will hopefully be granted custody that day and then just have to wait out the appeal and processing period and go back at the beginning of September.
Holy moly!
As a reminder, this is on my desktop and I watch it daily. I love her little growl at 46, or so, seconds.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151607111258967&set=vb.500713966&type=3&theater
The one on my desktop isn't so pixelated and her her sweet features are defined, making her brown eyes even more deep!
SOON!
I almost immediately began coming the flight sites for our travels. Goal was to keep the round trip for both under 5 grand - success!
I had actually ordered the foreign currency for this coming Friday about 1 hour before the confirmation came, just in case. Perfect! So, that is already off the to-do list.
We leave Halifax for Toronto on the 18th. Then we connect to New York, Moscow, and, finally, Ufa. We are to be met by K and A, our host and driver, respectively, from the last trip. We arrive in Ufa on the 19th in the evening, so, we wait until the next morning to go to the orphanage! The couple from Ontario are also coming on this trip because, as predicted, they have their court at the same time. It will be nice to finally meet them! We had a meeting set up last summer but it fell through due to emergency.
I AM SO EXCITED TO HUG HER AND KISS HER WARM FACE!
If you read the previous post, the email stated that the day before had a new law passed that extends the wait period in between court from 30 to 40 days. I didn't even care because the END IS IN SIGHT!!! I can count down to a specific now and not just cross the days off the calendar! EXCITING! As my cousin T put it, I'm 7 weeks from my "due date." I HAVE a due date!
So, we pack over the next few days. Pick up the money of Friday. Recheck our packing a gajillion times to ensure we have clothing for really hot and mild weather (plus court clothes). Then we travel!
I am not as nervous about these next steps as I thought I would be. I'm sure, when I am standing in court, I will sweat like a pig in heat, but I will try to portray calmness. The 24th is a big step in deciding our fate. We will hopefully be granted custody that day and then just have to wait out the appeal and processing period and go back at the beginning of September.
Holy moly!
As a reminder, this is on my desktop and I watch it daily. I love her little growl at 46, or so, seconds.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151607111258967&set=vb.500713966&type=3&theater
The one on my desktop isn't so pixelated and her her sweet features are defined, making her brown eyes even more deep!
SOON!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
EMAIL CONFIRMATION
Hello Jessa,
We finally got confirmed your date of Court and travel
dates.
Your Court date is July 24th at 10:00AM and you have
to arrive to Ufa
on July 19th or 20th any time as your host family will be meeting
you at the airport. You may leave Ufa
for about 40-42 days on July 25th later afternoon.
A new law regarding adoption has been accepted yesterday in
Russia
therefore it will change the schedule of trip 3rd.
It is 10 days mandatory waiting period after the Court now
and 30 days required to get passport for adopted child. Therefore, you will be
signing an additional Power of Attorney there in
Russia before Court for our reps
and they will be able to get a Court decree in 10 days after the Court and
apply for child’s passport and other documents. You will return to
Russia for the
3rd trip in 40-42 days after the Court. You will get passport and
other documents for your child, pick up the child and may leave
Ufa to Moscow
(you need 2-3 days in Bashkortostan to do that). In
Moscow you would need 4 working days to get
your child registered with the Russian authorities and get your child’s
immigration visa at the Canadian Embassy.
Once you have your flight itinerary for this 2nd trip
please forward it to us so that our reps know when to meet you at the airport
in Ufa .
Let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
CHOC
Thursday, July 4, 2013
More Information
I now have a better idea of the procedure for the rest of this process. The original information package we were sent, and which I keep referring to, was when there was only a 10 day wait after court and now there is a 30 day appeal so I was confused and asked for clarification.
2nd Trip
About 8 days in Sterlitimak and Ufa. We need a few business days to be at the orphanage, and then we go to court, then we spend another day signing whatever we need to sign.
30 days Later
3rd Trip
About 4 business days in Sterlitimak/Ufa and 4 business days in Moscow. I thought she had said we go to Moscow on the second trip for court. I see now, we just have to go to register her with the Russian authorities and get a Canadian Visa. So, 3rd trip is a bit longer than I thought, but she is still ours on that trip so there is less anxiety hahaha.
This is what I just gathered through email with CHOC.
The reps, during our 2nd trip, might say things a bit differently though. We will wait and see... oh, big surprise, waiting...
2nd Trip
About 8 days in Sterlitimak and Ufa. We need a few business days to be at the orphanage, and then we go to court, then we spend another day signing whatever we need to sign.
30 days Later
3rd Trip
About 4 business days in Sterlitimak/Ufa and 4 business days in Moscow. I thought she had said we go to Moscow on the second trip for court. I see now, we just have to go to register her with the Russian authorities and get a Canadian Visa. So, 3rd trip is a bit longer than I thought, but she is still ours on that trip so there is less anxiety hahaha.
This is what I just gathered through email with CHOC.
The reps, during our 2nd trip, might say things a bit differently though. We will wait and see... oh, big surprise, waiting...
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
The Movement is Moving More
I just got an email from CHOC saying the signed letter has been notarized and is on its way to Russia! Yeah!
I was also out with a friend to find a dress for her and I found a great dress for court! I wanted to wear a dress as it would be cooler than pants and a blouse, but I needed the right type so it looked presentable but not over/under suited for the occasion. I have sun dresses and dresses for weddings... nothing in between. I also still wanted it to have personality because I don't want to look dour or dowdy. Hopefully I will wear it soon!
We also purchased a bedding set for the room. It's water animal themed, has an octopus, seahorse, turtle etc on the comforter. It was a super deal online and I figured that wasn't a jinx item because we will need sheets and blankets no matter what. It will match with the walls in the room and can be adjusted to any age or easily made more "girly" if someone wanted a girly-girl room *cough* mermaids *cough*.
Here's hoping for a court date for my birthday present from Russia!
I was also out with a friend to find a dress for her and I found a great dress for court! I wanted to wear a dress as it would be cooler than pants and a blouse, but I needed the right type so it looked presentable but not over/under suited for the occasion. I have sun dresses and dresses for weddings... nothing in between. I also still wanted it to have personality because I don't want to look dour or dowdy. Hopefully I will wear it soon!
We also purchased a bedding set for the room. It's water animal themed, has an octopus, seahorse, turtle etc on the comforter. It was a super deal online and I figured that wasn't a jinx item because we will need sheets and blankets no matter what. It will match with the walls in the room and can be adjusted to any age or easily made more "girly" if someone wanted a girly-girl room *cough* mermaids *cough*.
Here's hoping for a court date for my birthday present from Russia!
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