Wed, March 12

Detailed version:

Had a lovely breakfast today. The American families took over the breakfast room. There are now at least 7 families here that we know of- 3 from AWAA, 2 that are just getting their children, 2 more that are here for referrals. It’s really a happening place!! It was interesting to hear more stories, especially those from other agencies. The couple this morning didn’t have a contact person show up to meet them at the airport. Delay after delay in a foreign land, missing their flight, a holiday weekend. We are all so thankful for the great staff we have in country through our adoption agency. So Thankful!

Sherri was heading out for an early morning visit with her daughter, so we said das ve danya goodbye and then we headed on out to go to the toy store. I wanted to get a notebook to have our son’s caregivers write something about him so I could have that for him when he gets older. We joined up with the Dini’s and went through the toy store again. They got some cute boots for their son. I am sooo thankful that Amity gave me this little pocket dictionary. It has come in so handy when trying to communicate.

We came back and I “word blogged” for a little bit- the WiFi is still down, so you’ll probably get 3 more days- maybe even 4 all at the same time. I know, I know- I wish we could be on line more often, too! Sherri joined us and shared with us how her first visit as Mama went. The clothes she had were great. Then it was an electronic fest as we shared pictures and videos. What an amazing age we live in- forget the wallets full of photographs- we can now put full length movies on our Ipods and carry them around.

We left for the orphanage around 2 again today. I got to ride up front in the van today. We had a slightly close call today- passing a big rig and someone in the oncoming lane was passing a big rig- DW would have been proud- 4 wide in a turn. Thank you God for your safety and protection!!

Had another crabby little guy today. I think it’s the afternoon visits. He must be a good sleeper- or at least that is my answer, and I’m sticking to it. I’m sure the reason he’s been such a grump is because they are waking him up. We’ll see- only 1 more day till our son comes home with us and we won’t have to travel back to Sosnovoborsk again!!

Serge jumped in and distracted him, asking which toy he wanted from the toy cabinet. We got him playing with some blocks. He seemed content, but happy didn’t come for a long time today. We had a snack- bananas, crackers and water again. We looked at books, it was just more difficult to elicit a smile today. He was very interested in what Greg and Andrei were doing, which surprised me. He hasn’t seemed to pay much attention to them for the past week. Hey- that’s what children are supposed to do, isn’t it? Just when you think you have them figured out, they change and grow and now are different. God’s way of keeping us continually seeking His face, eh?

I think probably the last 20 minutes we were with Eli today we really saw him smile and laugh again. He is so serious. But we had belly laughes today. I can’t wait to get him home!! We applied the meds today and left them for the caregivers to use on his ear.

Serge said they have a hard time understanding why we want to have pictures and notes from caregivers about our child. He said in Russia, adoptive parents never tell child about adoption. They don’t understand why we want all this info, and why we want to make any deal about them being adopted. They are our child. That is that. Hmmmmm. No one would write in his notebook- said they didn’t have good handwriting. After walking him to his room, we came back home to the hotel.

The Dini’s had dinner delivered- great job, Jeannette- it smelled and looked great! Tim and Sherri and I headed out to the Irish Steak House. It has simply amazing food. Sherri’s chicken skewers looked and smelled incredible- and she said the taste was excellent. My Salmon was grilled to perfection- some of the best I’ve ever eaten! Tim’s steak was great- not a lot of meat, but tasted great!

Topped off with a cone of ice cream at Baskin Robbins and a chilly walk home- what a day!!

Short version:

Breakfast with the American contingent at the hotel, followed by an invigorating walk to the toy store. Another few hours with our son and dinner at the Irish Steak house. What a day.