3/23/08

Happy Easter to all! What a day- the day we celebrate the indescribable gift God gave to us- the ability to be adopted into His kingdom as His sons and daughters. After our struggles in this earthly adoption and the length of time it has taken, I have another view on this Holy day. Thank you, God, for caring enough for us to pursue us, no matter what the cost. You gave Your all to secure a place by your side forever in heaven. How incredibly humbling.

I’m realizing the importance of developing traditions as I sit here in a hotel room, halfway around the world from my family and church family. Easter doesn’t seem the same without the celebration and traditions we always partake in. As I’m typing, the first service at church is about ready to begin. I wish we could be there celebrating with everyone.

Really wish we could be there. Our suite in Krasnoyarsk was like an apartment- 2 rooms- we had everything down to a science. Here, the hotel is much more luxurious- remember how wonderful I mentioned the bed was from last time? Still amazing. But there is only so much you can do to keep an active toddler entertained in such a small space. There really isn’t a lot of room to just let him run in the halls, either. I realize how spoiled we are as Americans. For many here in Russia, the space we have is much more than what they live in year round.

Today is pretty much the same- up at 7- breakfast, find stuff to do, snack, find stuff to do, lunch, nap, snack, find stuff to do, supper, find stuff to do, bath, snack and bed. Pretty mundane. Interspersed in throughout some amazing tantrums, some giggles and laughter, some correction, a few yawns and a growing bond between this child that we still feel many times that we are baby sitting.

It’s pretty cool to become introspective and see the changes in my heart as I go from babysitting mode to mommy mode. I would love to tell you its all mommy mode- but it is so different to go to instant motherhood. Though our process has taken over 2 years to complete, I’ve not really had time to get to know my child- just his physical appearance through the pics we had from the first 3 hours with him.

Throw on top of that a toddler thrown off from a schedule that has never changed before, being introduced to a whole new world and his new caregivers always asking te hoshesh- do you want….. He’s never had choices before. And I don’t think he’s ever had correction before. Not many boundaries are needed when you live your life in a 15X15 childproof room with 15 other children. When I look at it that way, he is doing fabulously. I guess that means we’re the ones that need help :0) Tired, sometimes grumpy, longing for the comforts of home (like using the tap water to brush teeth, or being able to jump in the car and go when we need to, being able to cook!!), we really can’t wait to see you all!!

Ok-
Flashback 3/17/08

Monday was a little better. Tim slept a little better. I continued to check his forehead through the night, and got some Advil in him a couple of times. Finally, around 5 or so, the fever seemed to break!! Yeah!!

Tim was able to join us for breakfast, but he still was unable to eat, due to the discomfort of his throat. It was nice just to have him up and out with us. His pallor was still there, but he was able to get out. Our little guy is like clockwork. I am amazed that I’m awake every morning so early- about 6:30am- so I can get dressed and ready to go before Eli wakes up. OK, if we’re going to be totally honest here, I want to make sure I get my teeth brushed before I pick up my son so he doesn’t fear the dragon breath lady :0)

Tim had to leave to take care of some paper work. He was only gone about ½ hour, but boy did it drain him.

Our biggest accomplishment today- we got Eli’s hair cut. Without being able to speak Russian, it was a bit more difficult, and he ended up with a Russian cut (combed forward from the back of the head to his forehead- but shorter on sides (above ears) and shorter in back. He looks like a little boy now:0)

He did so well. I sat him on my lap and he sat relatively still for the young lady cutting his hair. Only 120 R- about $5. As we were preparing to leave, the ladies were all discussing how much he looks like his Papa. Isn’t God amazing to bring us half way around the world to meet and adopt our son?

We did our first room service on Monday. It was pretty simple. Eli and I walked all around the hotel, looking for the hotel cat- Koishka- we went down to the café and ordered fried chicken and pelmini in broth. About 45 minutes later, they brought in our dinner. We had already fed Eli, so he happily sampled a little bit of our adult food. He ate everything offered- bell peppers, pickled mini corns, pickled mushrooms. How funny to see a child eating this stuff. (BTW- he won’t eat many fruits or veggies now- I guess too much te hoshish from Mama and Papa.)
MMMmmmmm- the fried chicken was wonderful. It tasted soooo good. Tim and I both hadn’t eaten a “meal” since Thursday- it had just been “snacking” in the room.

More bath time fun- amazing to watch how much fun our son has in the little duck. We were so incredibly happy that we brought this along. He splashed and splashed- he’d get mad at the water and slap it- which made him madder- because it splashed him back- then he’d start giggling. It was the washing himself that was the funniest, though. Standing up and smacking his little butt. We were in tears, again, tonight, just as we had been the night before. Tim tried to get a little video of it, but Eli was splashing so much, the camera was in danger of drowning :0P

Bed time was pretty simple again. We put him down, and if he cries with a frightened cry, pick him up for about a minute and talk to him, and he seems fine. AAAhhhhhh- peaceful bliss as we watch our son sleeping. What a special time- as we stand there looking over him sleep. What a great time to pray for him, holding him close to God.

We called several people on Skype after Eli went to sleep. Today is Mom’s birthday, and Brian’s birthday. Also St Patrick’s Day- Happy Day all!!