We left for the Baby Home and our last visit with mixed emotions today. All week we were so excited about each visit and couldn't wait for the time to come when Boris & Irina would pick us up. Yesterday in fact Mike mentioned that he wanted to go downstairs about 15 minutes before they were to arrive...just in case they were early. This way he said, we could have just a few extra minutes with Skip. Today however, while we were excited about seeing him, we knew it would be our last visit for a long time. Because it is also Mike's birthday today, Skip had a special gift for his Poppa and as soon as we settled into our playroom, he gave it to him with a big grin. Mike opened the package and found a birthday card and a new winter scarf. He told Skip how much he liked the scarf and then read the card which was purchased here in Russia just for Poppa. It's funny but Skip, who is always so happy and active, sat seriously while his Poppa read the message.... "I will miss you Poppa and I know you will miss me. But, if you wear this around your neck it will keep your warm until you come back for me and I can put my arms around your neck forever." As strange as it seems, there is already this unmistakable bond between Mike & Skip and to see the two together is just incredible. Despite my best efforts, at one point this morning when Skip stopped playing and just put his head on my shoulder and smiled, I began to cry. I held Skip and told him we'd be back as soon as we could and then as if he knew what I was saying, he hugged me and smiled. A few days ago the Caretaker mentioned Skip has been watching the door all week - waiting for us - and today it was me that kept watching the door - hoping the caretakers wouldn't come and say it was time for him to take his nap. Even when they did enter the room and we knew it was time to say goodbye, I asked Mike not to hand him over until they asked for him....just another minute longer...just another minute..... Of course they did finally ask for him, and they had Skip say "Pa-ka" and throw kisses.... We watched him go and then reluctantly began to gather our things....We put our coats on and and Mike checked the room to be sure we had everything and then before shutting the door behind us, put on his new scarf..... We didn't speak until we outside in the bitter cold. "Are you cold?" I asked him as we walked toward the car, "No" he answered, "I have my new scarf".......
Friday, November 21, 2003
Mike's Final thoughts
Today is our last day here, we leave about 8 am tomorrow. We awoke to another clear, crisp sunny day. We were both a bit sad that this was our last day but our joy about Skip arriving in our life far surpassed that. We are thankful for the care that he and the other children are given. We arrived at the home about 9 am and as usual Skip was with his groupa, this time having a massage by the doctor! We played with the other children as they got Skip ready. They are all so cute. One little girl smiles every time she sees me, another looks at me very seriously. Judy says she can't figure out what I am! They handed Skip to us and we went off to the playroom. As we sat down Skip handed me my birthday present, a scarf that he picked out (with some help from Momma) and a card that he wrote me (again with some help) What an awesome birthday. We played, built forts and knocked them over, shared cheerios, giggled, laughed, cried a bit, and enjoyed our last visit of the trip. We said "Pa-Ka" and "Yah tibYah looBOOH" and he went back to his group. We'll be back soon my little one.
After our visit we went with the doctor to the local pharmacy and bought medical supplies for the home. Most medicines are cheaper here if available. He bought medicine, vitamins, and blood pressure cuffs. Our coordinator meets us at 2 to go over program details and what comes next.
This has been the trip of a lifetime and I cannot easily put into words how I feel when Skip smiles at me when he sees me or how he hugs me when in my lap. "Yah tibYAH looBLOO, Skip."
After our visit we went with the doctor to the local pharmacy and bought medical supplies for the home. Most medicines are cheaper here if available. He bought medicine, vitamins, and blood pressure cuffs. Our coordinator meets us at 2 to go over program details and what comes next.
This has been the trip of a lifetime and I cannot easily put into words how I feel when Skip smiles at me when he sees me or how he hugs me when in my lap. "Yah tibYAH looBLOO, Skip."
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Day 4 - Time is flying
Greetings from Angarsk once again. What a day!! We visited Skip this morning at 9 am and when we got there he was in class. One of the doctors was working with him one-on-one. Part of the session was attempting to have Skip pick up a small ball and place it on a ramp to roll to the doctor. Skip just wanted to put the small balls in his mouth! When he noticed us watching he kept looking at the door and one of the other caretakers explained he has been "watching the door" ever since Monday when his new Poppa & Momma arrived.
Once he was finished with class we got to play and discovered that Skip has just cut his first tooth!! That really was a nice surprise to be able to be here for this "first".
Since we'll probably be apart for Christmas we decided to celebrate it today. Skip got to wear his Christmas outfit and all the caretakers were so excited to see him all dressed up - they called him Santa Claus. We took lots of pictures and the caregivers asked if we could send them a few pictures of him in his outfit. Judy said she would leave the outfit for the others to take a turn wearing and the caregivers were THRILLED about it. We played a bunch with all his favorite toys and then Skip let me share some cheerios with him while Mama took more pictures. After our visit Boris brought us to a Notary's Office where we officially signed our application for the adoption of Skip.
We returned for the evening visit around 6:30 and Skip was so happy to see us. He had already eaten but Judy gave him a cup of pudding for dessert.... a new experience for Skip.... he loved it and was reaching for more. We spent most of the visit crawling around on the floor and building towers out of soft blocks so that Skip could knock them down and laugh. It was tough saying "pa-ka" tonite. One more visit in the morning... but we are so much closer to having him with us always!! ""pa-ka"" from Angarsk! We'll update you again tomorrow before we head back on Sat.
Mike, Judy, and Skip
Once he was finished with class we got to play and discovered that Skip has just cut his first tooth!! That really was a nice surprise to be able to be here for this "first".
Since we'll probably be apart for Christmas we decided to celebrate it today. Skip got to wear his Christmas outfit and all the caretakers were so excited to see him all dressed up - they called him Santa Claus. We took lots of pictures and the caregivers asked if we could send them a few pictures of him in his outfit. Judy said she would leave the outfit for the others to take a turn wearing and the caregivers were THRILLED about it. We played a bunch with all his favorite toys and then Skip let me share some cheerios with him while Mama took more pictures. After our visit Boris brought us to a Notary's Office where we officially signed our application for the adoption of Skip.
We returned for the evening visit around 6:30 and Skip was so happy to see us. He had already eaten but Judy gave him a cup of pudding for dessert.... a new experience for Skip.... he loved it and was reaching for more. We spent most of the visit crawling around on the floor and building towers out of soft blocks so that Skip could knock them down and laugh. It was tough saying "pa-ka" tonite. One more visit in the morning... but we are so much closer to having him with us always!! ""pa-ka"" from Angarsk! We'll update you again tomorrow before we head back on Sat.
Mike, Judy, and Skip
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Day 3, continued...
Hi all! Skip says HI too, no... not really. He said "pree-VYET" (Russian for HI). We went to the baby home at 6pm tonite and got to feed Skip and play for a bit. He's a happy hungry baby!! He was all smiles when he saw us. Dinner was porridge and tea. Afterwards Poppa and Skip shared some cheerios. We all played for about an hour and took a bunch of pictures. We're sure Skip will sleep tonite!! So will we!. Hopefully we get to see the Doctor tomorrow. We'll be at the home at 9 am and then again at 6pm for dinner. Hope all is well with everyone back home! Skip says "pa-ka" for now!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Day 3
Noon in Angarsk. We went to the baby home this morning and got to play with 4 of the other babies while they got Skip dressed. They are all so cute and well cared for. We played with Skip a bit among his group mates and then headed off to the play room. The head doctor who also is the one who runs the facility was supposed to visit with us while we were with Skip but couldn't make it so it'll probably be tomorrow. We had a blast playing. Skip loved the Zwieback toast we brought... he's teething!! We brought enough for him to share with his "groupa" too. He also had his morning herbal tea from a cup. He's such a cheerful and playful baby. It's clear the caretakers like him and are happy for him. When we got there today the female doctor said he looks like me....."Poppa"! Tonite we go at 6pm to visit again and help feed the babies. Irina said she is going to see if we can take him outside tomorrow - that was a nice surprise and hopefully they will say yes.
After we left we did some shopping to buy some toys for the groupa and later Boris and Irina will take us to a store to buy "chocolate candy" for the babies. The caretakers asked if we could do this for them. This is a luxury and they like to use it to reward the kids. We've posted some more pictures and will try to send a movie clip we made later.
After we left we did some shopping to buy some toys for the groupa and later Boris and Irina will take us to a store to buy "chocolate candy" for the babies. The caretakers asked if we could do this for them. This is a luxury and they like to use it to reward the kids. We've posted some more pictures and will try to send a movie clip we made later.
Day 2
It's 12:40 in the afternoon here in Angarsk and it's -6 degrees C and snowing. It was -17 C when we went to bed last nite. We were so tired last night we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. We were going to stay up and watch Everyone Loves Raymond but we couldn't find it on either of the 2 Russian TV stations here in Siberia, Oh well...
We got to the baby home at about 9 am this morning and Skip was in with the rest of his group. We peeked in and saw about 8 happy babies playing with the caretakers. Skip was being changed and kept trying to get free to get back to the group! They brought Skip to us and he went right to Judy with the staff saying "Momma" "Momma". We got to play with him for over an hour. At one point he got fussy and Irina said that he probably was thirsty. She left and returned with a bib and a cup and sure enough Skip gulped down a cup of tea! No bottle or sippy cup for him! We played some more, he loves toys that make noise or that he can bang together.... Soon one of the doctors came in and Judy asked her list of questions while I held Skip who, knowing it was nap time, fell asleep in my arms much to the delight of the caretakers who peeked in and commented how sweet he looked in my arms. The doctor answered all Judy's questions with no surprises. After we put Skip in with his group to nap we met with the head doctor who questioned us a bit (standard questions he has to ask all adoptive parents) and pretty much asked if we wanted Skip after seeing him and asking all our questions. We answered an enthusiastic YES or DAH. We hated leaving but tommorrow the chief doctor visits while we are with Skip. All is going well with no problems at all!! We miss all of you. Our phone number here in the apt, if you are bold enough to try is 3951530371 I think the country code is 0117. More later!!!!
We got to the baby home at about 9 am this morning and Skip was in with the rest of his group. We peeked in and saw about 8 happy babies playing with the caretakers. Skip was being changed and kept trying to get free to get back to the group! They brought Skip to us and he went right to Judy with the staff saying "Momma" "Momma". We got to play with him for over an hour. At one point he got fussy and Irina said that he probably was thirsty. She left and returned with a bib and a cup and sure enough Skip gulped down a cup of tea! No bottle or sippy cup for him! We played some more, he loves toys that make noise or that he can bang together.... Soon one of the doctors came in and Judy asked her list of questions while I held Skip who, knowing it was nap time, fell asleep in my arms much to the delight of the caretakers who peeked in and commented how sweet he looked in my arms. The doctor answered all Judy's questions with no surprises. After we put Skip in with his group to nap we met with the head doctor who questioned us a bit (standard questions he has to ask all adoptive parents) and pretty much asked if we wanted Skip after seeing him and asking all our questions. We answered an enthusiastic YES or DAH. We hated leaving but tommorrow the chief doctor visits while we are with Skip. All is going well with no problems at all!! We miss all of you. Our phone number here in the apt, if you are bold enough to try is 3951530371 I think the country code is 0117. More later!!!!
Monday, November 17, 2003
We met our son!
We finally got to visit him and he is BEYOND description. Mike says seeing the caretaker walk into the room with him took his breath away. And then when she handed him to Mike and said "Poppa", they both smiled and the rest is history. He was not at all shy, took to both of us immediately and with the help of his caretaker, showed us everything he can do. He's begun crawling and gets really excited when you hold his hands so he is standing...His muscle tone has improved so much since the video. He interacts well and loves attention. We spent about an hour and 1/2 with him before he had to return to the group to have his last feeding and go to sleep for the nite. Boris and Irina will be taking us back tomorrow around 9:00 to spend some time with him and then we'll meet with the Dr. at the Baby Home and get his full medical report... More tomorrow hopefully, we're exhausted and are headed to sleep already *it's only 7:40 but we haven't really slept since we left home Saturday so
We're here!
Greetings from foggy, cold Angarsk! We arrived safe and sound after 1 great flight from Boston to Paris via AirFrance, 1 good flight from Paris to Moscow, and 1 long miserable flight from Moscow to Irkutsk (Mike says no matter what we're going to heaven, because after that last segment on Aeorflot, we've been to hell) We were met at the Irkutsk airport by Irina, the translator, and Boris, our co-ordinator. Both are great. We had to wait almost 2 hours for a frozen lock on the aircraft to thaw out so they could unload our luggage (first we've heard that excuse for late luggage arrival) and then Boris & Irina drove us here to Angarsk, about 40 minutes away. We're staying at an apartment that Boris rents for CHSM clients. Its spacious & modern for their standards but nothing like we're used to back in the States. It's much better than a hotel room though as it has a little kitchen, a T.V. that carries BOTH Russian channels, a DVD player, but no dvds, a microwave and a portable washer from the 50's! They left us here to unpack and rest and are picking us up again at 12 noon (we're 13 hours ahead of you guys) when we'll go to the Ministry of Education to formally receive the medical information on Vadim, and then go to the Baby Home here in Angarsk to see him, FINALLY. The city is something you must see to really appreciate. At times it's like being in a third world country, and then you drive by something that looks like a Wal-mart.....
Well, more later, we need a nap before we go out again! Hopefully pictures by tomorrow!
Well, more later, we need a nap before we go out again! Hopefully pictures by tomorrow!
Monday, November 3, 2003
Travelin' soon
For those who haven't heard the latest update, Mike and I received our travel plans and are leaving 15 November for Irkutsk, Siberia in Eastern Europe to formally meet Vadim (to be named Michael Jr., when adopted and called "Skip"). The first visit is a week's travel, but 5 days in Irkutsk. We'll fly from Boston to Paris, then to Moscow, and finally to Irkutsk. The process dictates that we formally receive the information on him "The Referral", meet with Dr's to review his medical information, then go to Angarsk (40 minutes away, to the Baby Home where he is living. In Russia, they're called Baby Homes, not orphanages. We'll get to spend a couple of hours (minimum) with him every day from Monday through Friday, then fly back Saturday and wait for our court date. We've been told the judge in this region is EXTREMELY tough and that she is infamous for delayed court dates (months) however, we've spoken recently to several couples who used the same agency we're using, Children's Home Society of Minnesota) and Facilitator, Boris, and have had very quick court dates. They say while the judge is indeed very strict, she is fair, and Boris is a class act, always prepared, and highly respected by this judge (the ony one in Irkutsk to hear adoptions) and therefore seems to get very quick results (dates to finalize). Let's hope that 's the case for us! The second trip will require a 3 week stay and longer if there are any "details" that arise... We are bringing the laptop with us and we're told internet access is available so we hope to post to this site as we get more info and pictures. Check back often and wish us luck and good weather. Currently 8 degrees with snow forecasted for the next 5 days. (Average daily temps in Dec. & Jan are -20F - 40F
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
