Day 6

Today was a good day nothing of note really.  I think Sophia might have acid reflux or a little stomach bug.  She spit up a fare amount of a clear liquid today maybe stomach bile? Didn't stop her from giggling and having a great time.  She is a typical toddler and fights sleep with everything she has.  My second visits usually 4:30-6 I have noticed she is really sleepy so we moved it up to 3:30-5:30 she still was very sleepy.  Poor baby.  As much as I want to be with her if she needs to sleep I wish she could.

I felt a little better today.  Without going back and reading my posts did I mention I was feeling nauseas I was/am hoping it's just exhaustion.  All this time when celebrities were admitted to the hospital for exhaustion I thought that was code for too much partying (alcohol, drugs etc.) But exhaustion can  really make you sick! But on a good note look how darn cute she is.  I know that is all we care about really hee hee.  

Serious cookie eating given by one of her caregivers.  I got to see her drink too!

After my morning visit with Sophia, Boris took Irina and I on a boat tour of Tver.  It was like the one I took in Moscow.  It was quite pleasant.  There were these birds like seagulls but all white with black heads they were pretty.  See...

Thanks to all of you I have kept up my journaling I know the visit information has been brief but really nothing to talk about LOL.

Here are some photos of the boat tour and just around Tver

Me and Irina taken by Boris.  I hope to get his picture too but he said no since the mosquitoes got his forehead.  Gratefully the mosquitoes like my leg and wrist all on my right side.    

These houses were on the bank of a town called River Station

Horses for hire. This poor thing looked pretty tired but beautiful none the less.

Closest I will ever get to having an Oscar LOL

Good Night all From Russia with Love.

Day 5

Sorry in advance this is going to be brief.  I'm really not feeling well and just don't have the energy to write this but have to give you all an update it's only right.


So both visits went well (not much to discuss)  I did find when Sophia is tired she makes sound/motion with her mouth.  It's like when you are trying to think of what sounds good to eat (make sense?) Anyway it is what she does  I almost rocked her to sleep.  key word almost LOL.


I met with the Notary today.  The notaries in Russia actually notarize the document that it is accurate etc.  It was quite formal.  There were some corrections that needed to be made so the price was higher than expected luckily I had it.  Oh I took the opportunity to show off a picture taken today of Sophia and I.  Want to see....No....too bad LOL  Here it is 

I also met the Judge today she is kind but very strict and by the book which is good for the children I think.  She is the only judge who does adoptions in this region.  She takes it upon herself to visit the orphanage and knows the children.  She knew my Sophia.


Thank you for the prayers.  She did ask for 3 additional documents two of which my facilitators assumed she would ask me for and prepared me for those they are easy enough.  The third one might be a tough one but I'm sure God will help me.  I also am sure He will help me with the funds I will need to raise.  This trip pretty much wiped me out of funds. 


My court dates are August 8-9 yep two days scheduled.  So about a month and a 1/2!


Please continue to pray for us and share our  story.  If you are led please donate. Every donation counts.  xoxox

Day 4

I went and visited my little sweetie this morning at 10 I had about 2 hours with her.  We were able to spend the majority of that time outside.  She loves to walk around and go where she shouldn't like the mud LOL  Typical toddler.  :)  It was 75 degrees today according to weather.com and I must say those that know me I'm always cold but not on this trip the humidity is a lot for me. The point of telling you this is when they said I could take her out they brought me closed toed shoes (she had on sandals) a hat, a pair of knit (like a sweater) pants and a matching sweater top and a jacket and told me to put it all on her.  Keep in mind she had on (which you will see in pictures soon be patient remember this is my journal so as much for me as you.) :)  tights, a light undershirt, button down long sleeved sweater under a little pinafore dress (really cute see)   

Before

Ok I ditched the hat, pants and after this picture the jacket.  Poor thing was going to overheat.  I don't think she is feeling well either.  She has a small snotty nose, she seems really tired and a little unsteady on her feet.  She is sucking on her hand a lot today that she wasn't  doing yesterday.  She is so cute though when she yawns.  

She loves to laugh especially when she is doing something she isn't supposed too Hee hee.  I have a biter on my hands not a lot but enough she has about 12 teeth that I can count.  She needs something appropriate to chew on not me LOL  She also grabs/scratches but if you make a sad face and stay that way through her laughing she gets a concerned face.  

She will mimic what you do for example if she is pounding on a window and you tap the window with your finger she will start to tap the window.  She really is smart.

You also well I discovered how out of shape I am and I think the best workout for someone who isnt' really into working out is, chasing, picking up and generally playing with a toddler that you love.  My arms are sore LOL like I worked out.  

My second visit with her was about an hours and a half and spent entirely inside.  Which consists mostly throwing all the toys out of the bag and picking them up and putting them away. (She is good about that most of the time) and running while giggling down the two hallways which lead to the various groupas.  So I have to swoop her up as she giggles. 

I discovered I have a refrigerator in my room that I didn't know was there it is hidden in the desk.  Anyway that means when I buy perishables I don't have to eat them immediately Yeah.  I also am basically not eating this trip. When I'm tired I'm not hungry or don't feel like eating.  So hopefully I will lose a few pounds LOL  

I am eating lunch meat and yogurt.  I have pretty much only been drinking water or milk.  

Here are some more pics for your enjoyment.  Tomorrow I meet the judge. Please pray she finds my paperwork in order and doesn't ask for either too many or impossible documents.  I pray she likes them just the way they are and gives me a court date!

How can you not smile at this sweet little face!

xoxo

Day 3 continued

Ok so this is a little out of order but I was so tired and I didn't have time to take a nap and write up the morning.  I was so excited to have met Sophiya (pronounced Sonya, go figure)  I do still plan to name her Sophia (pronounced Sophia LOL)  


Let me start at the beginning of the day.  It started early my alarm was set for 4am which I'm used to except I didn't go to bed until midnight!  I packed the night before and got my bag ready for Sophia with toys and a book and the little sock monkey I have been sleeping with for weeks so it would smell like and me and hopefully keep me in her mind when I leave.  We stopped at McDonald's for breakfast and a rest stop.  Then on the road again. This was at 7am 


We drove for about three hours to get to Tver (sounds like tweir ish)  I was able to check into the hotel early 8:30am.  I was hoping for a room on the 5th floor or above as I was told that had the best internet connection.  I got a room on the 5th floor Boris and Irina helped me to my room.  It was a smoking room and smelt like Vegas. :P  Boris went to see if there was a non-smoking room ready and if I could switch.  Yeah same room on the 6th floor no smoke!  I had about 20 minutes before I would meet the translator and head to the Department of Protection to sign my intent to meet Sophia.  


Olga was my translator she was very sweet and easy to understand.  I will be honest I was a nervous wreck going to meet with the Department of Protection lady.  My hands and legs were shaking they told me not to be nervous...right do you know how BIG this for me.  I not only am adopting but she will be my first child and I have wanted this for a lifetime.  Sure I'll calm down LOL.  I survived!


Then we went to meet with the "Social Worker"  not as nervous even though she was the one who would write up the report to the court either recommending me as Sophia's mom or not recommending!  I know I wasn't as nervous because Boris and Irina told me what they thought she might ask me and then I prayed for my Heavenly Father to speak for me...and to give me peace.  


Interesting side note.  Whenever I thought of the child I would adopt while preparing for this adoption the color purple always came to mind.  Purple isn't my favorite color but I do like it.  But it always came to mind when I thought of my adoption.  Alexandria the "Social Worker" was dressed all in purple even her heels!  


Ok now the important stuff.  We arrived at the orphanage.  They brought the most beautiful child into the room and I saw Sophia for the first time.  I wasn't expecting it I thought I would have to talk to people first so I was surprised.  I wish I had a picture of the very first time I laid eyes on her.  It seemed everyone loved her. She is as happy in person as she appears in her photographs.  Here is the first time I held her which might as well been the first time I saw her it was almost immediate.

I love the pony tail on the top of her head!  We sat down and I with the doctor or maybe the director (I think the Dr) reviewed all her records.  She is a healthy happy baby!  No heart issues!  Yippee!

So we started to check out the toys.  The monkey was a bust no interest in the monkey.  She like the squishy textured balls I got from the dollar area at Target (just a note for those getting ready to travel :])  

I got about an hour and a half with her in the morning and about hour of just her and I.  She is very active and loves to make a bee line for the door if she gets the chance but doesn't get angry when I re-direct her or she tries to run down the hall towards the rooms where I'm sure I'm not allowed.  She gives me that little smile and twinkle in her eye as she is about to make a run for it hee hee.

Here is a pop quiz for you:  While playing she made a grunting noise and scrunchy face....what was she doing?

a) Her impression of the thinker

b) Getting ready to throw a fit

c) A poopy diaper

Make your guess?  The correct answer is C. LOL  Now what now one was around.  I didn't have a diaper bag....  So what is a girl (new mom to be do?)  Yep speak loudly down the empty hall Isvenitia (sp) (means excuse me in Russian)  A nice lady came out and asked me what room?  Your guess is as good as mine I didn't see where she came from.  She asked me to wait and went and found out.  She directed me to the room just outside her groupa I waited and a lady came and sounded like she scolded me in Russian for peeking when she opened the door to the groupa. By the way poopy diaper translate well both in Russian and English.  LOL  They brought her back all fresh.  They tell me she is potty trained and I believe them even though they still have her in a diaper I think since her routine is messed up do to my visits better safe then sorry.  hee hee.  At noon I had to put her back into her groupa this time no scolding :)  she was precious she waived while another darling little girl blew kisses.  

We headed back to the hotel for a break of about 3 hours.  I thought I was hungry but then realized I was more tired then I was hungry.  So I set my alarm for an hour and a half.  It went off and I re-set it twice.  So I slept for about 2 1/2 hours.  I needed that.  Then we were off to see Sophia again for my second meeting about an hour and half.  By the way, I was dreaming of Sophia during my nap.  I don't dream a lot but I did today :)

So we arrived and I got to go to her groupa and get her.  She had tears in her eyes.  They said she had been crying not knowing I was coming back.  She came walking right to me and just cuddled when I picked her up.  I know Heavenly Father answered my continual prayer that she would feel me heart and know I loved her!  She is friendly with others but I don't think overly.  She isn't afraid of people men or women.  :)  I don't want her to be overly friendly but I don't want her to be timid and afraid either.

There was a couple with a child in the play/meeting room so I was allowed to take her outside.  They are doing a lot of construction around the orphanage so we went behind where there was still construction but they had built little sitting shelters.  It is so humid here especially because of the rain (which stayed away until my visit was over)  they told me to watch her temperature so she didn't get too cold.  When we got out there, there was what appeared to be maybe a grandma visiting with a child named Anya beautiful little one.  She tried to speak to me but my Russian sucks well actually it is non existent :(.  But we managed with our little toddlers. Some people joined her I'm guessing the mother and the older sister to the toddler.  They played and walked.  Sophia was interacting with them and the mother picker her up on her lap. I asked if I could take a picture.  It is very difficult to take pictures by yourself especially of a quick moving toddler LOL  But I didn't want to let you all down. Plus I was trying to get a picture of Anya  just to see if she was one of RR's ;)

This visit which I didn't notice in the morning. Sophia had a snotty nose.  Her eyes were glassy too I think she might have a cold.  But  by her spirit  you would never know it.  

I am going back tomorrow morning and then in the afternoon.  

Pure love!  xoxo

Day 3

Let me just say "I am in LOVE"  I'm on my way out the door so I hope to post all about today later tonight.  Love, Love, Love.  Pics are coming.  <3

Day 2

Today was a free day due to a holiday in Moscow.  I hired Vladamir to give me a tour.  Since I was traveling solo I figured safer to go with someone who  spoke the language.  (Note I'm using my blog like a journal so I am giving play by play documentation.)  


We set up to leave at 10:00 well the night before I said 10 or 11 LOL  I figured I would be dragging due to lack of sleep and jet lag.  So when I finally went to bed the night before somewhere around midnight I set my alarm for 9am.  I got right up and took a bath and had some breakfast.  I bought yogurt the night before.  Yummy


I still had some time so that is when I wrote Day 1 and Day 1 continued's post.  Then it was after 10 and I started to think maybe he forgot... nope he came at 10:40.  His building has a locked door that you buzz someone in.  So I went downstairs to meet him.  I tried to open the door, no luck it will not budge.  I push I try to turn the knob...nothing.  I see what looks like a lock on the top and tried that...nope still nothing I start to get a little concerned just shy of panic really LOL  then I remembered someone said there was a button that needed to be pushed in order to open the door.  Oh you mean this small silver button on the side... BINGO!

That little silver dot on the right about 1/2 way down push that you can get out!  Phew.

So now that I accomplished getting out of the building it's off to see the sights.  Today was Russia Day like independence day.  I knew it was a holiday but didn't know what until just know (I googled it).  So there was a demonstration scheduled in the streets around the Kremlin and Red Square. So those are on my list for another trip.  Vladamir took me around and showed my his favorite spot in front of the University.  It was a nice view of the Olympic stadium and other buildings (government type)  He recommended I take the boat tour around Moscow so I did.  He dropped me off and told me where to meet him.  The tour was about an hour and a half.  It was a non narrated tour which was good 'cause I do not understand Russian no matter how hard I try!  On our way to the tour it was pouring rain, but I figured it is just rain so what, I have a rain coat and an umbrella (both left at the apartment, yes I knew the forecast said rain but it was so sunny when I got up.  Oh well again just water.  When we got to the start of the tour totally stopped raining.  

While on the boat my camera battery ran out. :(  but thank Heavens if I shut it off and turned it back on there was always enough juice to take the photo I wanted! There was a darling little girl named Alona on board with her family.  She looked to be about the same age as Sophia she was so animated and you could tell she was enjoying the sights with her family.  There was also a photographer on board.  He snapped candid shots and proceeded to try and sell them to me in Russian....nope sorry can't understand a word. He did speak some English so it was 400 rubles (roughly $12 for the photo.  I said sure.  He left to print it when I realized I didn't have 400 rubles I had a larger bill but only 300 rubles.  So I (which I never do) tried to have him give it to me for 300 rubles it didn't work LOL  So I said sorry.  Waited a while then tracked him down and said I found a larger bill if he still had the photo...he did.  Here is a pic of the pic.   You can see the head of little Alona behind me with her dad.

I also took a self portrait   I took lots of picture of the intricate and beautiful buildings.

There was one man on the boat that was literally staggering drunk, so much so that the captain made him sit down and stay there.  He was quite boisterous.  He had looked like he was with maybe his daughter and young toddler son with him.  :(  He didn't bother me but you could see everyone watching him closely.

When the tour was over Vladimir took me to Old Arbat street. It had a lot of shops and street vendors and artists.  We stopped for lunch at MY MY (pronouced Moo Moo yes like a cow) 

This Vladimir standing next to MY MY's mascot.  It was a buffet styled place there was sushi, shrimp, different meat and sausages and borsch (a traditional soup with beets and beef)  I tired borsch and had a shrimp skewer and bread and a bottle of water.  It was very humid today.  The borsch was pretty good I admit I was surprised.  Those that know me I'm picky but I didn't want to offend Vladimir and thought I should try some traditional something.  So I decided it was either borsch or vodka, I decided on the borsch ( I don't drink at all LOL)  That was the end of my tour.  We returned to the apartment and he dropped me off.  I came up stairs and realized I think the time and lack of sleep was catching up with me.  I had to take a nap so I took an hour and a half nap.  I'm pretty sure I will be able to sleep though tonight.  I still feel a little off tired and dizzy.  Yuck.  But so full of excitement for tomorrow.  

There isn't any american TV that I can find.  I found out two things one anything remotely scary in a movie is 10x scarier when you don't speak the language LOL and the festivities for Russian Day were aired so lots of what I am assuming are pop stars concert all aired live.  I wish I could tape this and bring it home.  

:)  

I also for the first time understand how all the tourists who came to Disneyland while I was working merchandise felt not speaking English or knowing our money.  I am lost half the time.  But I'm working it out slowly.  :)

I don't know what kind of access I will have in the Hotel in region so I hope to continue to post if I can't I will when I get home. xoxo