Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Although we will miss out on turkey, green bean casseroles, yummy desserts. We Are going to visit Daniel again today. We were aloud to take him out of the home yesterday to get his passport photos taken. I put some pics up of David and I, out with him. He was so amazed with everything. He was very quite, but took the time to really look at everything. Once we got to the picture studio, I had to put him on my lap in order to get the picture taken. Easier said than done. He was looking all around and was very hard for the lady to get a picture of him facing her and sitting still. But she did and we waited the 10 mins to get them developed. Once back into the car Daniel sat on my lap on the way back. For the 2nd time we heard him cry. I think because it was dark out and all he could hear was horns and see lights but nothing else, he got scared. So I faced him around towards me and just rubbed his little back and rocked him alittle, and was able to get him to calm down.

Once back at the baby home,we still had an hour visit with him left. So as our driver brought him back to get changed, we sat and waited. Well our driver came back with him and we could hear someone talking on the loud speaker. I thought that was weird never heard that before. Well shortly after that, Max came in and said we only had 5 mins left. That we had to leave many police coming. I started to get really scared. You think oh no police, in russia. Your and American. Might not be good. SO since his english is not the best. He put our other translator on the phone to let us know whats going on. She said that someone opened a door, that is to be remained shut. So to make sure nobody stole something or a child, or left a bomb ( her example that really freaked me out) they had to put the baby home on lock down. Many police were coming, and all visitors had to leave now, or else I guess explain why we were there. So I said well when can we take him, will he be safe here. She said yes, its just a precaution. But we are allowed to pick him up on Monday. So we will visit with him today, and again on Sat. Then pick him up for good on Monday. I cant wait! Its starting to get stressful, with visiting him at the home. Way too many toys there. Hes over stimulated, and its hard to make that personal contact with him when theres a million toys there. When we took him out of the home yesterday. I he was just in amazement, but still scared and squeezing our fingers when a horn honked, it felt good that he was able to share his fear with us, and in return let us soothe him.

Since sleep is not easy here because the bed SUCKS! We take our turns with cat naps. As soon as we get back making an appointment with the chiro! I never thought I would say this, but the plane seats are more comforting than this bed and couch!

again Happy thanksgiving. I know we are extremely thankful.

Patti & David

We are legally Daniels parents!

Just had court. Went extremely well. Of course we were terrified, but our translator,went over everything, and it was cake. After court we came back to the apartment and took a nap, then met up with Mak's our other driver. He took us to see Daniel. We are still calling him Sasha, until we bring him home. We can see him everyday, but since its so$$$ to drive that far everyday. We will go back on Thursday, and take him to get his passport photo done. We hope to have him with us by the end of the week. If not most likely Wend.. Then just bonding with him, and doing some Embassy stuff. More info to come, loosing Wi-Fi signal. So here are some pics from our 1st visit with him.

Enjoy!

He Remembers Us!

So our flight was good. We got in to Moscow @11:20am, with all our luggage. Vlad met us again, took us to get photo copies, for our visa registration, also took me to exchange currency. It felt so good to be back knowing this time we were leaving with our little man. After we checked into our apartment, we walked down the street, near the Arbat tourist shopping section. Stopped at a corner store to get milk, butter(it took a REALLY good guess for that it was right next to the cheese) bread, eggs and water. Also some deli meats. Not a big place more like a quick stop. Then got back to our apartment and started to unpack our clothes and get settled in. But once I tried the internet it wasnt working. So I tried the phone as well and I couldnt make international calls. Since I had to call the manager any way and let her know we were here so they could pick up our copies to register our visa's I told her about the problems. Well I think she just thought I couldnt read directions ( sometimes i cant) So turns out they mixed up the wrong instructions page and internet page with the apartment they also rent down stairs. So long story short I can spread my love and joy with all my family and friends!

Now on to Daniel!


When our driver, went in to go get Daniel and bring him out to us, I could here his little feet RUNNING! We saw him down the hall way, and he remembered us! Let us pick him up right away, give him kisses. he came back to us when we put him down. We played in the room, David picked him up, and went right towards the window, and he just stared making all kinds of sounds. Pointing at the pigeons, saying awww! Loud too. We made the most connection with him today then any other day. He was very active. But I made sure there were only a few toys he could get his hands on to. This way it wasnt too much stimulation, and we could focus, on the 3 of us and 3 toys. Its so hard to describe our meeting with him today. But it couldn't have been more perfect! I just can't believe how much he came to us, and let us pick him up, and the kisses, were bittersweet. He so much wanted our attention. And we were more than willing to give it too him.

Court is tomorrow. The judge will decide our fate. If she wants this child to have a home and a family life, like a child should then there is no reason to worry. Tomorrow will be alot of firsts for everyone in our family. We will become Parents, our parents will become grandparents. Davids grandmother will be a great grandmother. Sisters, aunts -brothers, uncles. Aunts will be come great aunts. (sorry aunt Jackie, great aunt means wonderfull not old!) Not only does it change our life, but everyone in our family, that prayed for us through all the IVF process, the miscarriages, and this adoption process. I know that i have many friends, family and other Adopters, and adoptees out there reading this. My message to those who have do this adoption process, thank you for all of your prayers, and helpful information on what you went through. It got us to where we are now,with your knowledge. .....

And to those in waiting....
It hurts me to know that you are still waiting to feel this joy, happiness that I have right now. But when you are, remember have far you have come. Because once that child is in your arms and giving you kisses, it makes that wait just a distant memory. We're still praying for you.

I pray the court goes well, and I can plaster his face all over this blog!

FBI Nightmare

Well the title should say it all! Long story short, the FBI clearances were not coming on Tuesday. They were "still being processed" is what they told me everytime! So I put an S.O.S. message on FRUA. They said to call my Senator. I did I called Lindsay Graham's office and a nice staff member (Bill) helped me, even at 6pm! He made calls that night to the FBI, and again yesterday morning. So When I called the FBI, they said they were pulling it and processing it, and will TRY to send it out yesterday if not today. Well even my father in law called, and he didn't even have to say my name and they told him the same thing. So I'm sure they heard alot of me, the senators office, and my FIL. As my FIL was going to the FEDEX location to talk to a supervisor there to ask if thwy could hold it off the truck and we would pick it up, so we could drive it to Columbia, SC to be apostilled. The FBI called me, said they just fedex it out and gave me the tracking number! As I write this I am tracking it and it is in West Columbia heading to Myrtle Beach!

The very 2 last important items I need in order to get into Russia, My passports, and our Court documents should be in my hand in a few short hours. I was a wreck on Monday, just upset that this trip might be canceled because of a damn FBI clearance! We have no record, plus when I got them done in July it took less than a week to get back! Go figure!

This adoption is a family affair! Everyone help and played their part in order to get us to him, and to get him to us. The weight will be completely lifted once we get off that final plane in Myrtle Beach on 12-13-08. No more planes, no more paper work, no more distance between us and our son. Just having him home and getting him adjusted to us, his new life and his new home. We will finally have the family we have waited almost 6 years for!


This is a picture from our wedding day! Our anniversary is on the day we fly out to Russia
Happy anniversary David 6 years of marriage but 10years of love!

~SICK DAYS~

Well David and I are starting to get sick, on of my worse fears. Went to the doctor yesterday and got on some antibiotics. David and I are sharing them. Right now its just a throat made of sandpaper, and some mucus. The medications seem to be helping. We are still waiting on our FBI Clearances! I just have a feeling that as soon as they get here, David and I will be making the 3 hour drive to Columbia, SC to have them apostilled. Which is fine, but its going to take all day. So I better have some other things done as well. Like packing! We are packing only what we have too. So 2 large suite cases. 1 for mommy and daddy, the other for Daniel and his toys. Plus mommies extra overflow. A smaller suite case, filled with food. Mostly coffee, oatmeal, peanut butter, crackers, dry milk, easy mac and cheese. We will check the stroller in, and have 2 backpacks filled with our carry on items and the laptop. I might need another suite case. Once I really start packing, so for now it seems light.

I still have nightmares every night about the passports getting lost, or the FBI clearances not coming at all! Its crazy! David is sure everything will be fine. In fact he predicts that the FBI clearances will be here on Tuesday! I pray hes right!

Off to wake up sleeping beauty. Today we just hung around the house sick in our pJ's!
Maybe we will get back on track tomorrow!

Manic Madness!

Well we finally found sandals in SC that the baby home was requesting. After lots of looking in NJ. We got almost 20+ pairs of nike sandals. We told the manager what we were doing and she marked them down for us! So they were orginally 21.95 a pair (insane) then marked to 17.00 a pair( crazy) then marked to 9.00 a pair ( what?) We found some for 5 dollars, in the sizes we needed, but most were still 9 bucks. So she gave us all the sizes we needed all for 5 bucks! I really had no idea how $$$$ baby shoes could be! So we still need to get the gummy baby vitamins they asked for. We ask our family for help on that. But we did get our driver, requested wrinkle cream for his wife. Also a purse for our one translator. David got a deal at TJ Maxx. He got a $120 Samsonite Luggage for 20bucks. For Daniel we picked up a potty toilet, a booster seat for the kitchen chair, a used stroller for travel, a new Jacket, hat, gloves. Also 2 pairs of shoes for him. Trying to get all our paperwork needed for court sent out this week. But I think today we are just going to get our Pic's printed of our 1st visit for court. And dump some things in the babys room in storage.



Oh, my mom called and said she is shipping out the Rocking horse he loved so much at the baby home. She found one online and is sending it to my Father in laws house! Yay!

Home in SC with good news

As we were leaving yesterday, I told David I cant wait to get home, and start the paperwork we need to do while we are getting ready for court. Well we got a call from our agency saying that we have our court date for 11-25-08. So we are now in manic mode again. I have to reapply for the visas and do medical and police clearences, ect. Go through our sons room, baby proof the house. Also my poor father in law has been stuck with our 3 dogs for 2 weeks. So he will get a 2 week break before they are with him for another 2.5 weeks . Poor guy! They are a handful, or pain in the ass, whatever you want to call them. So its almost 9am. Davids sleeping , because hes sick. Father in law, is sleeping. Mostly because he doesnt have to get up and let the dogs out. And I just wanted to update this blog, because it has been awhile. So I think since they are still sleeping and I have all this manic energy. I might sneek the dogs back to our house and give them a bath and lock them up and come back for our luggage. Let those 2 princess's sleep!