One year!

I am so sorry for not sharing my journey with Sophia for the last year.  Let me tell you when the orphanage told me she was active they weren't kidding.  She is not stop movement, curious, smart, funny and rough and tumble.  I love her to bits.

Well it has been a year and she started transitional kindergarten at the end of last school year for about 6 weeks.  She returns on Wednesday.  She loves school and she gets to ride the bus and loves that too!

We took a 2 week vacation just she and I to visit our friend MeriBeth and family in Indiana and Kim and her family in Wisconsin at the end of June and beginning of July.  Sophia got to see her first fireworks and as long as I held my hands over her ears she loved them if not they were much to loud.  She got to ride a small horse at an animal sanctuary, eat frozen custard (my first time too), take some more plane rides (she is a great plane traveler), and lots of other fun things.

This by no means covers the last year but let me just show you with pictures how much she has grown and matured since coming home along with having her First 5th birthday party this past Saturday!
Here we go: (note: she does own clothes but doesn't like them if they get wet or it's hot or she has them on LOL Just kidding about that last one)

About a month home

 

 

 

 

 

Multitasking

                                                 Already for Church                                                                                

 

Mother's Day photoshoot

 

 

Hanging with friends

 

It's my 5th birthday

 

It's my First 5th birthday party

 

 

 

 

Darn it!  It won't load the cake photo.  Well Curious Cupcakes did an awesome job on the Abby Cadabby cake!

 

 

 

Kisses!

 

Hopefully I will be better at keeping in touch.  <3

 

 



Can someone tell me what day it is LOL

So today's adventure of sight seeing didn't go as expected.  It was an adventure and we saw sights but not the ones we had hoped.

So that past two days I haven't felt tip top.  WARNING THIS MAY BE TMI (to much information) FOR SOME sorry you know this is my travel log...

Ok so I have felt like throwing up was eminent now I do get motion sick and fell nausea but not like throwing up was eminent and I don't throw up I think the last time I threw up was 10+ years ago. So that gives you a reference. So I just figured it was all the excitement and stress of really becoming a mommy (good stress but stress anyway) and traveling not eating my usual meals.  Now I really haven't eaten the traditional foods here. I kept to what I know and well honestly this trip haven't eaten much.  Just do to being busy.  I brought some Gerber toddler dinners for Sophia.  Let me just say they are good.  Yes I had one the night well day we slept away LOL.  I also had one last night with Sophia since we didn't get a chance to get to the store.  I also had scrambled eggs while she was napping LOL. 

This morning we were heading out to find McDonald's pancakes for breakfast and I was looking forward to them.  Sophia and I started out pretty confidently until she stumbled and bit her tongue.  She was fine but as you all pretty much know your face and tongue like to bleed with the smallest of wounds.  So cleaned her up along the way and continued on our way.  Made it to Old Arbat street where I thought McDonald's was.  I saw Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, and Chili's along the way.  When we got to Old Arbat street things started to go very badly for me.  I had a huge pit in my stomach and my fingers on both hands were tingly intensely.  I also felt light headed, like I was going to black out and throw up all at once.  So I grabbed (lovingly) and sat down in front of Starbucks and thought I need to eat or at least get some milk in me until we find McDonald's.  We had to sit for a good few minutes before I felt stable enough to walk.  There was another Dunkin Donuts in front of us and thought they must have milk.  I didn't want donuts and didn't want Sophia's breakfast to be sugar.  So we went in of course the menu was all in Russian and I didn't see milk in the case. I did see OJ so I ordered a bottle and a cup for Sophia and sat down to drink.  I did but still didn't feel better so I ordered another and a bottle of water.  As I sat not feeling any better thought maybe I should get a taxi to go home.  Honestly I didn't think I could walk out to the street to hail one. So I called Boris.  Please help.  I had to hand the phone to the worker at Dunkin Donuts to tell him where I was.  He said I am coming soon.  As I am know in tears, and closed the phone, turned to go back to my table 3 feet away I threw up in my hands YUCK! made it to the table in time to throw up three more times in a cup I filled the cup (coffee cup size).  TMI ALERT  empty stomach just OJ and bile so I figure not food poisoning.  Good times.  So I clean up my mess best I could and head to the bathroom down stairs.  Sophia poor think just wants to run around but I still thought I was going to faint so she had to sit with me and she was vocal about her unhappiness.  It took Boris and Irina about 45 min to get to me from their homes.  I was in tears with a crying loudly Sophia on my lap when Irina came around the corner what a glorious site.  I told her Sophia was fine but I was not.  Boris came and took my arm as standing was difficult.  (I am crying as I type this).  He got us to the car and said he could take me to the American medical center.  I said ok.  Of course they didn't take my insurance but I don't know about you but when I am sick I don't care the cost just make me feel better. ;)  So Irina tended to Sophia.  I was taken back and had a normal temp.  But was still tingling in my hands and shaking with chills and light headed. Not good times.  The Dr. gave me an exam (yep had to go topless but I was banking on all being professional and again when I am sick since it doesn't happen often...just make me feel better)  He didn't come up with anything obvious.  So he wanted to do a blood panel and glucose level.  Ok Luckily just a prick of the finger no real blood draw.  COOL.  Ok wait for results.  He asked me to drink some tea with sugar.  I don't like tea but I did as I was directed.  I also held my baby I wasn't feeling as bed but still not good.  

I got called back a short time later.  Glucose was normal the blood panel did show an elevated white blood count  He had listened to my chest and back and seemed to focus on my right side prior to the blood work.  So he said I would like to do a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia eek.  Ok better safe then sorry.  So again got naked from the waist up (all professional lol)  the tech came out after reviewing the film and said it looked clear.  So back to the doctor he agreed.  So no reason for any of this mess.  My hands are still tingling even as I type this.  He did say maybe the blood diagnosis machine was off LOL.  I asked for a copy of the results I will take to my doctor when I get home just to be safe.  He thought maybe I had a little indigestion or bug and then add all the stress and BAM this is what you get.  He said could happen to any of us.  

Boris then took us to the store to get some "neutral" foods.  Oatmeal, soup, bread, rice and yogurt (for Sophia).  We should be good until we go home. I am hoping to feel 100% there are friends I have met online here adopting I am hoping to meet tomorrow for dinner.  Keep your fingers crossed and maybe say a little prayer for us.  Thank you.

I still don't feel great my hands are tingling still I have a pit in my stomach but I don't feel like I'm going to pass out so that is good!  Oh and it only cost me $600+ dollars that I hope my insurance will reimburse me for LOL.  Just grateful I had it to pay.  :)  

Hopefully tomorrow at the Embassy will go better.  

Catching up. Day 5 & 6 I think LOL

Since Friday there isn't much to tell I will combine Friday and Saturday in this post.

Friday we got up before the chickens at 3:00am and left the hotel around 4am to head to Moscow well that is how it was supposed to go.  Instead it went like this slept for 2 hours got out of bed at 2:30am to start packing (Sophia stayed asleep).  3:30am Sophia is awake so I changed her out of her PJs into normal clothes (by the way found the missing PJs mentioned in last post).  Boris' car got blocked in and they couldn't find the owner at 4am darn Russian drivers seriously it's park where you want.  So about 4:30am head to Moscow.

Arrive in Moscow about an hour and 45 min early for Sophia's physical appointment.  We stopped at McDonald's for breakfast. I was still not feeling well so I ordered my usual egg McMuffin and pancakes for Sophia. I ate about a 1/2 of one of her pancakes and about 2 bites of my McMuffin.  All I could stomach.  Went to her appointment we were the only ones so we got right in to see Dr. Boris.  Nice man, good with Sophia.  His official diagnosis "Buddha Belly" LOL  He said "She eats good"  yes she does.  I will need to get her 24 mos tops I think to cover the "Buddha Belly" 18 mos can't contain her LOL.  

So we got to the hotel very early check in was at 2pm we were there at 10:30am.  Anyone who knows me well knows I am very cranky when tired and only sleeping 2 hours I was tired.  Boris only slept 1 hour so he was cranky too.  LOL  Anyway I was left with over 3 hours to kill with an overstuffed diaper bag (which I intended to leave in the hotel with my bag until my room was ready but Boris had other thoughts) and a tired toddler and tired mommy.  We went to the play yard and hung out there until 1:40 when they called that my room was ready.  

I gave Sophia a bath which she liked she already figured out how fun splashing is. :)  So I tucked her in summer PJs since I couldn't find the footie ones (they were in the bag I left in the car) that was around 2:30pm  I thought I better lie down too so I did.  I honestly expected her to wake up after her naps normal time.  Nope. I didn't wake up until 10pm she woke up at around 3am and then we went back to bed around 5am until 10am LOL  I think we are exhausted.  

So we checked out of out hotel at noon and sat in the dining room until 1:00 for Boris to come and take us to the apartment.  Our home in Moscow.  What a nice apartment.  We are on the 16th floor and have an amazing view of the city!  We are going to venture out tomorrow to check out Old Arbat street. It is a walking street which I saw on my first visit but now I get to really see it.  I am staying on New Arbat street.    

I have free calling so I will get to call home soon.  That will be nice to say hi to grandma (my mom)!

Ok so that catches me up!  

Here are some pics to keep you coming back for more.  :)

This is how good she looks at 4am :)

Mom seriously no more pictures *giggles*

This is a fun rocker!

I swing mom will let me sit in all by myself.

Note:mom is standing in front for when she decides to climb out mid swing..

Yep put on mom's shoes and walked across the room.  She has amazing balance.  Except when she is tired then she looks drunk LOL  

Best moment...next to her giving me a huge hug when she woke up and not letting go right away Friday morning.  <3

View from the apartment

Current status showcasing the "Buddha Belly" :)

Ok I am a day behind

Here is what happened on GOTCHA day!  It was a lot of hurry up and wait.  So I didn't have to be anywhere until 11am, then I got a call that said found some mistakes, the office is closed today but I got them to open for us not to worry.  Ok stress diverted.  It took about an hour to have them come and get me.  Just before they came I got a call on my hotel room phone a female saying something in Russian and me saying "Hello" LOL  Oh well. 

Off to the closed office to make the corrections. I was not feeling well that day.  Felt like I had the flu and really wanted to throw-up  Glad to report I did NOT throw-up.  Form corrected then to the Passport office.  Russian Passport in hand.  Now to the police station to give chocolates to the person who fined me LOL.  She let us in when it was cold.  **Side note: it's warmed up here still not hot but not freezing**  Waiting on the paperwork.  As is protocol for government work it wasn't ready and we waited and waited.  We got lunch at the Chicken House (written in English and Russian)  filled out all the Visa information.  Then we find out someone else was working on our paperwork while the Social Worker was in meetings and the paperwork was ready and had been.  LOL  So off to pick up the said paperwork and deliver it to the proper officials.  Made it just in time.  Whew!  

Now to pick up Sophia.  It was close to 8pm her bed time.  No one told the night crew we were coming to take her.  So she was in bed.  They called the director and she gave the ok.  So the pictures I wanted with the nannies and the doctor on Gotcha day didn't happen. Boris was great about taking photos though.  I got her changed into her Gotcha outfit.  A blue and white striped shirt over a long sleeved white shirt and jean capries didn't know it was so cold and a jacket shoes and socks.  The shirt said I <3 U.

Off to the hotel to take a shower and get into PJs for bed.  She did pretty well no meltdowns.  I put her in the other bed. and she pretty much fell asleep I was afraid she would roll out.  I watched and she was fine.  At one point though she sat straight up and so I just put her in bed with me on the inside by the wall so I wouldn't have to worry.  She was all over the place but slept well.  Me not so much. I got about 2 hours.  Lots of time on the internet since I wasn't sleeping.  We got up super early to head to Moscow.

Now for the good stuff:

Let's try agian

Let's try downloading the pictures again....WOO HOO it worked!

Beautiful fall day in Russia

My normal breakfast actually the bread was a bonus (but kinds of dry)

My baby sporting a slick back 'do still damp

Always smiling!

My little Michelin girl! Sporting her lion harness.  She is quick :)

Giggle giggle giggles!

Day 3 (I think) Wednesday I'm pretty sure...

 Ok so I have totally lost track on my days.  I think it's Wednesday and I think it's day 3.  So they day started with me waking up and playing on the computer at 11:45pm  then I went back to sleep about 3am and got up just before 8am.  Jet lag is a you know what....  UGH.  Anyway I got up and washed my hair and let me just say I clean up right nice if I do say so myself. I was a mess for 3 days due to traveling and the first hotel room didn't have a blow dryer like it did the last trip... Oh well.  If only my hair dried decently naturally but it doesn't LOL.

I went and met with Sophia for a short period of time to get her schedule and eating menu.  Then off to the grocery store.  Which for the first time I had them drop me off and I walked back to my hotel. Now it's not far in fact I can see it from my hotel room however you do have to cross a very large street.  I think I mentioned on another trip's post how scary the drivers are here.  So this was an adventure all by itself.  But I did it!  I also bought some baby food for Sophia probably too young for her but it will serve it's purpose until I can get her home and trying new foods.  

I was late meeting Boris and Irina... I fell asleep oops. No big deal though the person we were going to see the lady at the police station who let us in early because it was cold so I could be cited and pay my fine.  I was bringing her chocolate wasn't in until 4 and it was 3:30.  I wish people would bring me chocolate for helping them at work...  lol.

From there we went back to visit Sophia. I was with her for 2 hours and she looked so cute all bundled up.  She looked like a red Michelin Man. Hee hee.  Pictures are coming.... I did bash my head on the playground rushing to grab a 1/2 eaten apple somebody left on the ground that Sophia thought might still be good.  OUCH.  But I made it in time and disposed of the apple. :)

We will be leaving for Moscow early, like 4am early on Friday.  There is a fair chance I might be coming home Thursday instead of Friday depending on cost and ability.  Stay tuned for updates. I should know Tuesday.

Sorry the pictures won't load but I will try again.... :(

Day 2

Up and ready to go. We left for Sophia's region.  I fell asleep for about an hour in the car.  Seriously jet lag is an understatement this trip.  UGH.  Dropped off paperwork with the social worker checked into the hotel.  I had hoped they booked the same type of room that I had upgraded to before (It had a massive tub) but they didn't they did save me some money though. It is a double standard room so it is bigger then the standard I had before but no tub :(  

It is COLD here now.  The last two trips HOT and humid.  It was 46 degrees yesterday.  I didn't bring a coat (I didn't think I would need it weather.com said in the high 50's /60's HA! wrong. plus I didn't think I had room, had I known I would have made room or wore it hee hee) I did bring Sophia one, thanks Shauna!  

Then we went to pick up Sophia to get her photo taken for her passport and visa.  She did as well as I expected she took it all in and was fascinated with everything.  Funny thing though Boris was adamant that I bring a car seat this trip and yet he left it in the trunk when we picked her up and put a pillow in front of us for an "airbag" LOL  All was fine though.  I will use the car seat when we go to Moscow.  

We had her photo taken and then returned her to the orphanage :(  She got into the nannies arms and promptly turned and latched on to me :)  I felt badly having to leave her there.  This is the reason I don't want to go visit and then leave visit and then leave. I think that is harder on her at this point then just waiting until I can take her permenately which I think might be tonight or tomorrow morning!  I hope that doesn't make me a bad mom.  I just think it is easier on her and me while we run around doing official paperwork.  

So off to the passport office to turn in official paperwork.  Meeting got moved to a later time.  Off to the police station so I could get cited for having a tourist visa and not an adoption visa (which the consulate here, USA, wouldn't give LOL) No biggie I knew about the fee, about $70.  Paid for Sophia's fee for her visa check or something.  Of course like this whole trip when we got there today they were closed from 1-4 and it was 3:15 when we got there LOL.  So we waited.  No big deal.  Off to the Passport office again.  Went nice and smooth and then said it should be ready tomorrow (Wednesday) after 2pm!  Yippee!

To the market and back to my room.  Took a hot shower, I was so cold.  Those that know me in real life know I hate cold.  LOL  Ate some dinner and tried to blog...fell asleep again didn't fight it just went with it.  I woke up at 11:45 pm and got all caught up on my blogging.  It is now 12:55 am and you are all up to date!  

Now maybe to try and sleep some more since I don't have to be ready until 11am for Day 3!  

Thanks for coming with me on my journey! I am still fundraising as I go. So if you are led there is a chip in (not tax deductible) on the top right or use the Reece's Rainbow link here to make a tax deductible donation