We are here and we got the goods...

Hey there all... Chris and I just looked at all the comments from the previous post and we have tears in our eyes. Thank you to all that posted. We loved hearing from you. I am sorry for the delay in posting. It was a very long trip to Orenburg and we were staying in a very remote place that we could not access the Internet. In Orenburg, Russia... people stay with host families on trip two. We did this when we adopted Jordan and I was a bit leery as I experienced some haunting stomach thing that nearly put me to death...or so it felt at the time. This was such a wonderful experience. It really allows you the opportunity to see how they live their lives on a daily basis.

Luciana... Jordan was so excited for Nicolas's party. I am not surprised that she was the first one there. Obviously, I did not inherent the "on time" genes from my father. I heard she had a blast. Thank you!!!

We left on Saturday and made a 28 hour travel to Orenburg. Chris and I maintained our tradition and my father drove us to Miami airport early enough that we could get a few margaritas and bloody marys before our trip. Odd tradition, we know, but it has worked. Chris and I would like to think that all that running would help our stamina in the travels, but truthfully, there is nothing that can prepare you for this type of journey.

We landed in Orenburg at 4am on Monday morning. We had a couple of hours to sleep and then we traveled in what we called the "white knuckled" journey to Orsk (3 hours away). Jen C always makes fun of my Enya Cd's and they came in handy with Pete's Karen Carpenter albums I uploaded before I left. (Sorry Pete if this was a closet thing, but we've only just begun....) The calmer the music the better because at any moment, Chris and I thought that the wheels would pop off the car. We literally counted down the journey and we were so relieved to see Ayden's very small town of Orsk pop up among the Ural mountains.

We saw her on Monday. It is a requirement to visit the child one day before court. Our first two trips, she was passive, engaging and simple. Our international doctor that reviewed her was concerned that we did not video any noises made by her. Well, we could have gotten a good couple of hours of straight screaming for their liking. OH MY! The caregiver came out and gave us some insight of her schedule. The translator kept smiling and saying, "she is a little... how you say high maintenance. She likes to eat and she likes to sleep. If you bore her, she will cry. She likes a lot of attention." After a couple of hours of crying, Chris and I looked at each other and said, "we must be boring her." Talk about having a complex! She was so cute though. The screaming didn't matter. I guess that is why they make them so cute.

We kept calling home. Nana and Pop Pop (my parents) were watching Jordan and Garrett. As luck would have it the upstairs AC unit crapped out and thankfully engineer dad was there to save the day. I did get one email that Nana and Pop Pop decided to put Garrett up for sale on our front lawn (don't blame them), but no surprise that there were no takers (even with lowering the price.)
Poor Fester.

We were the first to go to court on Tuesday. What a cool day. Jordan and Ayden share the same "gotcha" day. For me that is a true highlight because it means I only have to make two Russian meals a year. (And yes, we count Russian dressing as a meal.)

Court went great and soon we were the parents of three. They asked us if we were coming back for more. I think Chris nearly passed out. I tell you though, when you are here, it is hard to feel "finished!" Don't worry mom and dad, we are done. You have definitely done your share of babysitting.

Our host mom, Maria, cooked us some fantastic meals. I wish I could remember the names. Ayden came to us shortly after dinner on Tuesday. She was a bit rattled when she arrived with a nurse from the orphanage at 6pm. I didn't blame her. Her first experience in the car was driving at lightning speed. She came in.. screamed, pooped and drank 24 oz of formula. I checked her 3 hours later and her diaper was still dry. When stressed, adopted children either have an abundance of energy or sleep. Thankfully, Ayden slept. Chris and I have spent the last two days enslaved to her needs. She has caught on VERY quickly. After having her for 48 hours, she has decided that her mode of transportation is... carry me everywhere. All of a sudden her limbs are immobile.

It is unbelievably amazing watching the transformation. She went from crying the entire visit in the orphanage to this happy, smiling child. I think a big party of it is that she is offered food most of the day. When we visited her before court, she was so upset. I gave her an 8 oz bottle and she finished it before Chris could turn on the video camera. She has caught on very quickly and food = smiles and giggles = love... and way too many kisses.

We flew from Orenburg to Moscow this morning and with the time difference, landed at the same time as take off. The flight was very eventful. I am not sure with stress or formula change or what, but "Diana" has set explosively in. I have never seen Chris move so fast. Thankfully, our pediatrician appointment was schedule upon our arrival and our got a prescription to help. So far so good.

We took Ayden out for dinner for the first time. She sat in her highchair and kept looking at the ceiling. Full of smiles... I cannot believe how far she has come. I actually miss her when she is napping. She is a petite peanut weighing in at 15 1/2 lbs and 27 in long. TINY! She had to have some blood work done and has the standard diagnosis of rickets that children have. A few morning runs with me in the jogger will remedy this.

Our trip is delayed until Tuesday. I guess the American Embassy has a two business day turnover. While I miss for sale sign Garrett and Jordan... it gives us some quality time with Ayden to bond. You can tell how much different she is with each new day.

I can't tell you how much your emails mean to us while we are here. Please keep them coming. For some reason, Chris and I haven't been able to sleep since we have been here. We are hoping things change now that we are in a hotel and have had a few Russian beers (and yes, Georgian wine Kris... you are right, it is fantastic!!!! Thanks for the tip!)

Mom and Dad... I can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate your flexible schedule. I know how busy you have been and it means a lot that you are with our strong personalities at home.

We couldn't be happier!!! Ayden is absolutely beautiful and loving. This process has been difficult on us and our families. 5 short days and we will be home. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

We are Leaving Tomorrow....

Packing is not going as planned. Perhaps, I could have avoided the pompagranite martinis I had earlier, but to be truthful... those are what got me motivated. What is really NOT helping is the fact that the Red Sox game is on. Thankfully, at this point they are beating the Yankees, but that still isn't helping the focus factor with Chris and packing. Who knows what are in those bags.

We seem to have twice as much as we did when we traveled for Jordan and Garrett. Why is that??? Chris keeps sneaking things into my backpack and I am going to start to do some kung fu soon.

So... tomorrow... midday you can find us at the airport, drinking our bloody mary's at Chilis' (tradition) then making all those last minute phone calls (slurring) to family and friends before we board the endless journey to Orenburg, Russia.

Cannot believe we are heading back there... will post more as we have details.
Love to you all! Rock On!

Busy getting ready...

Why is it that when you bring a new child home all the things you have been trying to do for the past 5 years seem so pressing to get done NOW! Yet, I will spend the morning of our flight frantically packing my suitcase wondering how it could be that this was last on my list. Chris thinking he is the worldly traveler (something I admit, he has been doing a lot lately), has this personal goal of trying to pack his entire stay in a carry on. OK OK, I know we had a bad experience last time where they lost our luggage, but that is all a part of the adventure. So, there we are in the airports... me lugging this larger then life suitcase that is always just on the cusp of being over the limit and Chris in his lunch box size, all about me bag!


This past week, Garrett had some eye surgery. All went well, but I have become the eye rubbing cop. Add it to my list of titles. We attempted to get a sitter last night for what I envisioned as a nice stroll through the mall, holding hands with my dear husband, in search of "gifts" for the judges, coordinators, drivers, translators in Russia. Perhaps a bite to eat... few drinks of course. Well, as luck would have it for us, no sitter. So we decided to make it a family event. We all started out in great spirits. Garrett's eyes are both blood red and definitely get some attention. Most people just look and say, " ohhhh poor fella!" But as the day went on, we noticed that people were actually gasping and saying, " oh my! his eyes are red... did you know his eyes are red!" NO!!! Your kidding! How could I miss that! Chris kept saying...we need to find us a watering hole!



It turned out to be a nice day. We only lost Jordan, 4 times. This is a record. We stopped looking after the 3rd time. She always seems to find us. Garrett was strapped in the entire time for obvious reasons and there is a trail of chicken nuggets throughout the Town Center Mall. Ironically, we got top notch service in most stores. We later realized that most places just wanted to get us the heck out of there. I did not blame them a bit.


So... we are packing up... kids are excited! We are preparing for the arrival of Nana and Pop Pop. It is hard to believe that a week from today we will be in Russia eagerly traveling to see Ayden. Don't worry, by then, I will be pulling the carry on! Soon enough, we will have Ayden home!