Day 5 final day :(

Well today was my last two visits with my baby girl.  It started out rough all around.  By 8:30 last night I was out I slept for about an hour- hour and a half and woke up thinking I was late for me visit....panic!  Phew nope still pm back to sleep.  11:30 pm woke up to fireworks going off wide eyed and bushy tailed.  Keep in mind I don't leave for my visit until 10am.  So I forced myself back to sleep and slept until 5am no more sleeping.  Talked to my mom, facebooked and got breakfast yep and still had time....  So by the time I left I had been going for 5 hours.


Today was beautiful weather wise no rain just sun!  So Sophia and I spent our time outside.  She loves to drag a purse with her when she goes walking.  Normally not a big deal but while dragging my purse she stumbles and lands on the purse there is a buckle on the front of it... Yep she scraped her face, bit her lip, and I'm not convinced that she didn't bruise her cheek and nose.  After some heart breaking tears for a few seconds it was all giggles as usual.  But I did get to be a momma and hold her and kiss her boo boo.  I wish we had been home so I could have cleaned her up but I did the best I could.     
I took her back and we found the Dr just as she was leaving and let her know via English (She speaks Russian) but I think she understood she seemed ok with it.  So we went back out to play some more.  When Boris and Irina arrived I asked Boris to let the caregivers know so they would be aware and not think I was trying to hide something.  Sophia is a very independent little girl which I think is great and encourage that but with that is going to come some bruises and scrapes I know but when you feel like your under a microscope having her in a bubble would be ideal.  


So I beat myself up a bit and thanks to some supportive adoptive momma's I feel better. 


Second visit went much better.  She is so tired by the second visit I feel so badly for her.  I wish there was a rocker I would rock her.  My back and leg were killing me first time all trip so I sucked it up and we walked.  :)


I also well we (thanks to all your support) donated diapers, diaper cream, and wipes for Sophia's groupa.  And per the Dr we donated vitamins and medicine I am told is for the belly and something to promote the brain.  



Someone left toys today so we checked them out and out all the toys the ones I brought and those left Sophia's favorite were the blocks.  I took note.  She was so cute she started stacking them all by herself.  Funny she seemed to get very upset at the blocks when they didn't stay stacked and fell over LOL

I hope the video works.


Ok I need to go as this is the last entry from Russia I will be leaving in just a few hours to head to the airport.  A final From Russia with love.

The proceeding were the before the boo.  The following are the post boo boo.

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